Jorge Caldera has remained behind the scenes as Sotol has seen a rise in availability and prominence in the agave market. (although Sotol itself is not agave). Yet, his continued efforts in the market, previously with Clande Sotol, and now with astonishing spirits of Sotol Parejo, have largely gone unnoticed....until now. Jorge was born and raised in Chihuahua. His love and dedication to his state drove his curiosity to explore the world of Sotol and Lechuguilla. After a decision to leave finance, in favor of starting his own projects with his own partners, Jorge ventured into the world of Sotol. We chat failed rock star dreams, pivotal life moments, the beauty of the desert, and more.

Luis Loya grew up on cattle ranch in Chihuahua Mexico. His rebellious nature, and gift for drawing transformed into an insatiable need to explore later in life. He is the purveyor of some of the finest distillates in the world, and more specifically Mexico, with his brand La Mata Spirits. With beautiful spirits from Durango, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, and more, Luis illuminates the undiscovered processes found in more distant areas of Mexico. The rare and coveted bottles contain some the most unique and compelling spirits found anywhere in the world. We talk about architecture, skateboarding, passion, and more.

Originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Houston's Daniela Taylan is at the top of the brand ambassador game. Whether it's serving mezcal at La Niña Blanca, sharing and educating for Tequila Fortaleza, or tapping into her botanical roots for Condesa Gin, Dani is truly working hard. She's always happy to offer a pour, share her experiences, and dedicate time to the projects/people that matter. But how does an ex set designing Tennis champ seamlessly become one of the brightest minds in the hospitality industry? We chat horror movies, asking the right questions, work-life balance, and Fortaleza Winter Blend 2024.

Teacher, educator, whiskey ambassador, podcaster, and more... It makes one wonder what Milam and Greene's Blair Ault does NOT do. Houston's Blair Ault is a renaissance woman. She writes, teaches, hosts, and travels the United States extolling the virtues of Texas' Milam and Greene whiskey. Blair is an erudite Star Trek fan that encourages creativity in others. With a massive lust for life, and passion for whiskey, what motivates Blair to keep expanding her knowledge? The answer is: a whole lot. We chat loud noises, audio challenges, writing from the heart, and more.

Eduardo "Lalo" González has a rich history steeped in Tequila. His family created the brand Don Julio and revolutionized the use of whiskey casks to elevate premium categories of Tequila. Lalo Tequila found its roots in Austin, TX and fully took the industry by storm just as the world started to open up again. With a dedication to clarity and the purity of agave Tequilana, Lalo Tequila embraces the beauty of the soil and materials. And to even further heighten the dedication to flavor and expressiveness, Lalo has just released a new high proof Blanco at 54% abv. The balance, intensity, and softness is impressive. The limited edition bottling is available now. Lalo and I talk about ideating, expectations, using fancy pens, and more.

Gustavo Oyarzun is an immensely thoughtful person. From creating culinary/cocktail salts (via Art of Drink) to imagining entirely new bar experiences, he uses a deeply pensive and aesthetic driven perspective to innovate in the cocktail industry. As we all sought connectivity during COVID quarantine, Gustavo chose to take his bartending skills to the people in a fun and mobile way. The traveling cocktail concept turned into Visitant Social Club and this move to Austin unleashed yet another innovative concept that has just taken the city by storm, Traveler's Lounge. We chat corn, mezcal, instinct, and architecture.

Ninotchka Gandula, or as she's fondly known, Nino, is the national brand ambassador for Ojo de Tiger. The beautiful mezcal that mixes production from both Oaxaca and Puebla is yet another creation from the innovative team at Casa Lumbre. Nino grew up in Puerto Rico and remains one of the most respected voices in hospitality as she carries her Boricua love of others. She continues to earn and evolve as a leader and brand ambassador. As the rise of N/A spirits continues, Almave, the blue agave alternative, will bring new conversations and opportunities as Nino's role expands. We talk about travel, boundaries, and calling it an early night.

As a native of Guadalajara, Victor Diaz has been surrounded by Tequila his own life. He has followed business ideas, and his innate tenacity gives him a drive like no other. After a fateful move to Austin Tx, he entered the hospitality industry at the legendary Maudie's TexMex restaurant. Here, whilst building relationships with patrons and fellow hospitality workers alike, the concept of Carabuena Tequila was born. Now, time has passed and the brand is growing at a meteoric pace. It sounds like the perfect time to release a Reposado and Añejo. We chat love, creativity, persistence, and more.

Dalton Kreiss is an athletic, solitary, and driven midwestern guy. He's always pursued ideas for businesses and ways to add value to those around him. After studies abroad, a new sense of entrepreneurship was born. However, in which direction and for whom remained a question. Years later, the subscription service Maguey Melate was founded. Just before a behemoth of a mezcal tasting, we sit down and chat about Michael Jordan, being new to Mexico, teamwork and more.

Carolyn Gil has a rich history in the hospitality industry. Not only has her family been foundational in the cocktail movement of NYC, but they have had their hands in some of world's most influential spots. Carolyn was in a sense, born into hospitality. Doing prep at a young age, her youth was steeped in bar culture. It was no surprise that she would thrive further as she grew older. With deep familial roots, a love of food, and deep connection to Mexican culture, she serves fine cocktails and always meets you with a smile. We chat Puebla, Dalí, talking about oneself, and more.

Darrin Commerford has midwest sensibilities and an inviting smile. Whether capturing the action of others, or venturing onto the hiking trails of the world, Darrin embodies hospitality. You're certain to find him slinging a drink, or snapping a perfectly framed photo. But you'll never find him in a state of rest. After a meaningful chapter with Angel's Envy, he leaves Austin, TX to pursue his most creative role yet with Patron Tequila. We chat candy, art, Russian travels, and the misconceptions of trail hiking.

Houston native Rich Bailey has embraced kindness, openness, and a steady journey into self-empowerment. What at first was a path leading into practicing psychology soon turned into a path about self exploration. Years and many bar shifts later, Rich has recently moved to Austin, Tx to begin a new chapter as Bacardi's LGTBQ+ ambassador. The role is a perfect extension of Rich's embracing of diversity and the vacillating identities that we all experience. We chat Japan, Scotch, art, and more.

Houston native Stephen Caronna has worked in every conceivable role in the hospitality industry. A king of content and service, his career trajectory has led him to a gig of a lifetime as Texas market manager for Compass Box whisky. The exploratory and supremely cerebral whisky brand pairs the best of art and flavor in each bottling. There is a catch though, sometimes the perfect marriage of whiskies is only as accessible as a few hundred cases. Stephen never faces a closed door with Compass Box whisky in hand, but how do you have those intricate conversations about blending and scarcity, simply? It takes Stephen's creativity and kindness to start. We talk about documentaries, music, breaking out of your shell, and more.

Dercy Cabrera is a polished student of mezcal and spirits. Her years in distribution and sales made her the perfect person to make Mezcal Rosaluna a household name. With a dedication to health, community, and constant evolution, she embodies hospitality. You are sure to find her waiting right around the corner to fill your copita with a splash of Rosaluna or with tender words of support. We chat bling, family, mourning, and more.

Whether in front of or behind the camera, crafting an elegant cocktail, or competing on a national stage, you'll soon be familiar with the work of Jesus Verde. Although his burgeoning hospitality career is relatively new, he is no stranger to long hours and unflinching work ethic. Originally from Venezuela, his educational voyage brought him to the states where he's cut his teeth with both tech and consumer goods companies alike. A fateful move to Austin to work for one of the biggest tech companies, shifted naturally into the world of hospitality. And now, you can find Jesus lifting others up with his directorial eye or crafting an instantly memorable cocktail at Austin's Here Nor There. We chat naps, divorce, the role of sleep, and more.

On a beautiful fall afternoon, we set out to San Isidro Guishe in Miahuatlán. A beautiful hotbed of mezcal production. The unique flavor of these mezcales are vibrant, stoney, and green. This is the interview with father and son maestros Antenogenes and Jose, two of the producers for Cinco Sentidos. A day that will be forever in my mind. The epitome of mezcal, hospitality, and learning about one another. Jason Paul Cox helps with translation and logistics. We chat about tradition, style, and the characteristics of the region.

On a beautiful fall afternoon, I took a trek to visit the palenque of maestro mezcalero Alberto Martinez. The awe inspiring view and perfect weather was accompanied by delicious food and mezcal. After settling in over a few drams, I had the privilege of interviewing Alberto. With the translation help of Jason Paul Cox of Cinco Sentidos, here is Alberto's story. You can taste the wisdom and skill in every sip of his clay distilled mezcal.

Roberto Núñez has traveled the world and the seven seas. His past studies in the seminary exposed him to many aspects of philosophy and cultural diversity. One day, things changed, and his journey into hospitality began to take form. With a litany of academic and cultural achievements, Roberto joined the team at Patrón Tequila after a fateful cocktail competition. His perspective on immigration and being an outsider in America offer a compelling narrative for those trying to make a life in the United States. We chat tequila, love, self exploration, and more.

A lovely live podcast recording in San Antonio for Bartender's Holiday. Chatting about challenging elements in producing Still Austin with Jordan Kaiser, Starward (Jake Hukee), and Blair Ault (Milam and Greene) Lots of indie rock in the conversation and amazing interactive tasting with folks at Blue Box. We chat emo bands, wine cask treatment, and constant observation of whiskey conditions.

Ardbeg's national brand ambassador Cameron George has a lush career in Seattle's hospitality industry. The transition from agave to Scotch whiskey was all so natural given a childhood connection with the country. With a focus on intellect, inclusion, and exploration of one's self, Cameron remains a mentor and positive influence on the world of whisky. We chat lyrics, journaling, the rock of Islay, and more.

Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan) and his team are celebrating 10 years of bringing intrepid and bold bar concepts to the world. Starting with White Lyan, Ryan has redefined elements of hospitality and encourages patrons to think differently about flavors. What inspires him? What changes after a decade of creating? We chat below the Sea Containers hotel where the flagship Lyaness sits upstairs. Picasso, technology, and service just scrape the surface of this long-awaited (by me) chat.

Carlos Soto arrived in the United States at the age of 18 to pursue a college education. His art filled roots in Costa Rica set the perfect stage for his now 8 year journey in the hospitality industry. At first a rejected business idea in his college class, is now a flourishing business. Nosotros Tequila and Mezcal is expanding into multiple states and now Carlos is left to think- what's next? We chat John Mayer, influencers, strategy, and more.

Rachael Bloom Soto was destined to be in the hospitality industry. With a blend of food and nurturing, quite literally in her blood, she was destined to care. When a calculated move to Texas, for a different reason than you might think, ended up with her behind the bar at Rosewater She naturally transitioned into the brand role at Maker's Mark because after all, it was the only job she applied for. We chat Maker's blending components (as told through horror movies), motherhood, and robots.

Alberto Espinosa is pensive, hospitable, and superbly present. He has created a style of tasting for mezcal that is inclusive, thoughtful, and above all else, connective. His two Mezcal tasting rooms (one in Oaxaca and one in CDMX) are simply called Recia. These rooms are curated with every sense in mind and feature some of the best mezcales in the world. We chat about introspection, creativity, balance, and the absence of arrogance.

Jeff Duckhorn is the master distiller for Redwood Empire Whiskey. His career trajectory shows that sometimes if you're crunching numbers in the back of the room, they might eventually ask you to run the still. With a deep concern for the environment, balance, and attention to detail, Jeff crafts delicious whiskey in Sonoma County, California. As the whiskey markets become even more saturated with MGP marks, Jeff flourishes with unique blends and bottled in bond creations. We chat classical music, food waste, malt whiskey, and more.