Maestros del Mezcal Podcast

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Welcome to the Maestros del Mezcal Podcast where we cover all things related to mezcal and agave distillates. Maestros del Mezcal is a Civil Association in Mexico dedicated to promoting and protecting traditional mezcal.

Rion Toal and Rok Alcantara


    • May 8, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 25 EPISODES

    4.9 from 36 ratings Listeners of Maestros del Mezcal Podcast that love the show mention: respect, educational, great, agave, rion, mezcal world.


    Ivy Insights

    The Maestros del Mezcal Podcast is an exceptional podcast that dives deep into the world of mezcal and provides listeners with a wealth of knowledge and information. As someone who has been interested in agave for years, I am grateful for this podcast as it continues to expand my understanding of mezcal and keeps me engaged in learning more.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the diverse range of guests that host Rion Toal brings on to discuss the pressing issues in the mezcal industry. From distillers to educators, each episode features individuals who have a deep passion and expertise for mezcal. This variety ensures that listeners are exposed to different perspectives and insights, making each episode unique and thought-provoking.

    Additionally, the podcast does an excellent job of combining scientific knowledge with personal anecdotes from experts in the field. This balance allows for a comprehensive exploration of topics related to mezcal production, including debates over authenticity and differences in production methods across regions. The hosts, Rion Toal and Rob Cooper, demonstrate genuine curiosity and humility as they navigate through these complex discussions, admitting when issues are unclear and requiring further exploration.

    While there are many commendable aspects of The Maestros del Mezcal Podcast, one potential drawback is that it may not be suitable for those completely new to mezcal. While some basic information is covered in earlier episodes, the podcast assumes a certain level of familiarity with mezcal and agave. However, for those with even a rudimentary understanding or interest in mezcal, this podcast serves as an excellent resource for expanding knowledge further.

    In conclusion, The Maestros del Mezcal Podcast is a must-listen for anyone passionate about mezcal or eager to learn more about this rising star in the spirits world. With its engaging format, knowledgeable guests, and comprehensive exploration of various topics surrounding mezcal production, this podcast provides valuable insights while keeping listeners entertained throughout. I eagerly anticipate future episodes and the continued growth of the mezcal world through this podcast.



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    Latest episodes from Maestros del Mezcal Podcast

    Blind Tasting With...Dan (Mezcal Room)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 28:04


    Welcome to the first Blind Tasting With... Episode; In this series we will try to understand the processes that different people go through when decifering what is in their copita during a blind tasting. 

    Diana Pinzón - Defense of Endemic Agave in Mexico - Questions for California Agave Council

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2024 43:32


    We interview Diana Pinzón, a biologist, conservationist and co-founder of Zinacantan mezcal. Diana poses 10 questions for the California Agave Council and expresses her concern for protecting endemic agave in Mexico and the bio-cultural heritage they represent. 

    The Great Espadin Investigation - Part 2 - Genetics - Dr. Jorge Nieto Sotelo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 42:01


    We continue our investgation into the plant known as Espadin in Oaxaca; This time following genetic trail. Dr. Jorge Nieto Sotelo from UNAM in Mexico City talks to us about Agave angustifolia and it's possible origins among other things. 

    Mezcal and Cheese, a Great Pairing - with Cheesemonger Julia Gross.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 55:57


    Recorded sometime in 2022 - we finally edited this interview / tasting we did with professional cheesemonger, Julia Gross. Some fun and insightful stuff about cheese and mezcal pairing in general.

    The Great Espadin Investigation - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 19:11


    We begin to research the origins of the plant known as "Espadin" in Oaxaca. 

    Hablamos con Raul Chavez, un Agricultor de Agave en California

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2023 7:47


    Hablamos con Raul Chavez, un Agricultor de Agave en California

    Craig Reynolds of the California Agave Council

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 22:10


    A conversation with Craig Reynolds of the California Agave Council

    The Importance of Words in Preserving Traditional Mezcal

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 33:09


    Our new host Vinik Jure and Rion Toal talk about the importance of words when it comes to the preservation of traditional mezcal. 

    Season 3 Episode 7 - Aromatic Compounds in Mezcal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 31:43


    We talk with analytical chemist Adam Floyd about the mezcal samples he ran through Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aging Mezcal

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2021 24:02


    We start to dive into how mezcal ages and which mezcal ages best.

    Season 3 Episode 5 - The Karwinskii of Santa Catarina Minas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2021 15:27


    Lalo Angeles sheds some light on the karwinskii of Minas

    Season 3 Episode 3 - An Interview with a Yeast Whisperer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 80:29


    Shea Comfort talks to us about Fermentation, Durian Fruits, and Location Specific Microbial Influence on Wine Barrel Wood among other things.

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Agave asperrima

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2021 23:13


    Luis Loya of Lamata talks with us about Agave asperrima

    Season 3 Episode 2 - Interview Dr. Joaliné Pardo Nuñez

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2021 40:41


    We interview Dr. Joaliné Pardo Nuñez about an experiment she is helping to conduct concerning mezcal producers perception of the flavors in mezcal.

    Season 3 Episode 1 - The Tobalá Complex

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 20:59


    We talk about the Agave species within the Tobalá Complex and the common names used to refer to them.

    Episode 10 - The Great Fly Experiment - Part III

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2020 17:26


    We continue to bother fruit flies with questions about their pallets. They are starting to get annoyed.

    Episode 9 - The Great Fly Experiment - Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2020 14:18


    We continue to try to decipher fruit fly's mezcal preferences. 

    Episode 8 - Agave Genetics - Dr. Jorge Nieto Sotelo

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2020 57:34


    We talk with Dr. Jorge Nieto Sotelo about his recent study that sheds some light on the genetic origins of Agave tequilana, Espadín and other species and varieties. 

    Episode 7 - The Great Fly Experiment - Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2020 10:44


    Borrachitos: Those little flies in your copita; what can they tell us?

    Episode 6 - Mezonte Project and Mezcales of Jalisco

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2019 45:46


    Did you know there may be thousands of Traditional Mezcal producers in Jalisco? In this episode we talk with Pedro Jimenez Gurría of Mezonte and Pare de Surfir about his projects and about the diverse mezcales of Jalisco. 

    Episode 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2019 32:47


    In this episode with talk with Silvia Philion of Mezcaloteca to discuss her thinking behind the recent decision to remove essential information from the labels. We also discuss what happens when mezcal becomes more about business and less about tradition, and a quickly changing Oaxaca. 

    Episode # 4 - Karwinskiis in Miahuatlan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2019 47:18


    We talk with Max Rosenstock of Neta Spirits about Karwinskiis in Miahuatlan, Oaxaca. 

    Episode 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2018 24:16


    We talk about our new map with 16 Oaxacan mezcal regions and common and scientific agave names.

    Episode 2 - Mezcal Distillation in Oaxaca

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 49:24


    All about mezcal distillation in Oaxaca

    Maestros del Mezcal Podcast # 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2018 34:10


    A quick but detailed introduction to mezcal. 

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