The Tequila Tester

On this episode, we talk with Adam Fodor who is the owner of the International Tequila Academy about his company and how it was started. His self-paced online course teaches beginner to advanced level students about the spirit.   International Tequila Academy - https://internationaltequilaacademy.com/ The Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com

On this episode, Miguel Alanis of Veneno Tequila joins us to talk about their brand and positioning in the industry. This Texas based tequila company is currently producing a blanco and 7 year old extra anejo. We taste both and talk about their processes and future offerings. The Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com Mezcal For Life - http://MezcalForLife.com

*** WE APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR THE POOR AUDIO, THE CONTENT IS GOOD SO WE TRIED TO CLEAN IT UP AS BEST AS POSSIBLE AND RELEASED IT **** Jon Bullinger with YeYo tequila discusses goes into extensive details the time and effort putting into everything from the bottle design, packaging and then to the liquid inside each. We drink their blanco while we talk about processes. Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com Mezcal For Life - http://MezcalForLife.com

Aubrey West, brand ambassador with Volcan De Mi Tierra tequila joins us to talk tequila and about the brand.  While he discuss the history, bottle design and other interesting facts, we drink their blanco, brand new reposado and Cristalino Añejo tequila.  Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com Mezcal For Life - http://MezcalForLife.com

Neil Grosscup of Tanteo Tequila joins us to talk about their lineup of fiery tequilas. We discuss how they came up with their infusions as we taste their jalapeño, habanero, chipotle and blanco tequila.  Find out our thoughts on sipping this tequila neat and putting it in a cocktail. Mezcal For Life - http://MezcalforLife.com Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com

Eduardo “Lalo” González discusses his families legacy in tequila including his grandfather Don Julio. We talk about why they choose to focus on producing the best blanco possible.  We taste Lalo Tequila and talk about the processes and flavor profile. Mezcal For Life - http://MezcalForLife.com The Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com

We speak with master distiller Germán González the master distiller behind Tears of Llorona. This tequila is aged in scotch, sherry, and brandy barrels and is considered one of the top extra anejo tequilas available. We discuss his family history, how he got into tequila and blending processes while we taste this delicious tequila. Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com

Nick Reid and Rodrigo Cedano join us on this episode to discuss the story behind Tromba Tequila.  Through a chance meeting in Mexico, this tequila was born. We talk through production methods and aging processes while sipping their blanco, reposado and anejo.  Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com While this episode is free, you can find bonus content at: https://www.patreon.com/tequilatester

Laurence Spiewak, the co-founder of Suerte Tequila comes on this episode to talk about his tahona crushed tequila. We drink their blanco, reposado and anejo tequila and discuss their 8 year aged extra anejo. Learn about how they age and blend barrels to come up with their flavor profile. Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com

Chris & Camila come on this episode to discuss their new 100% blue agave tequila seltzer.  We talk about how they started their company, the branding and how they are getting the product into the market.  They currently have four flavors including Zesty Lime​,​ Spicy Ginger​, ​Sharp Grapefruit​ and ​Tropical Mango Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com Tequila Tester - http://TequilaTester.com

Do you really know what you are drinking? On this episode of The Tequila Tester, Jake Lustig with Haas Brothers gives a tequila education course. He discusses the history of tequila, processes and the spirit in general. We invite tequila novice and lifelong friend Tim to the show to learn along. The new Taste Tequila additive free program comes up as we taste and compare tequila made with a diffuser and those from traditional methods. ** NOTE: This is a re-take of our original episode with Jake where we had some audio and video issue we felt would improve the content of the episode.   Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

Tragedy strikes prior to the interview as tequila is destroyed. Tequila Gran Dovejo is doing a lot of cask and high proof offerings which we talk about. We also discuss their entire lineup while tasting the blanco, reposado and cask strength anejo.

What is the difference between Tequila and Mezcal? We discuss this topic while we taste Siembra Valles Ancestral blanco tequila which is a throw back to traditional processes. Some mezcal makes it into the glass so we can discuss what makes this spirit unique.

We speak with Fany Camarena about women in the tequila industry. She is the daughter of Carlo Camarena who is master distiller for the brand Tequila Ocho and El Tesoro. We sip Tequila Ocho anejo as she discusses the family aspects of the business.

Chris Timmerman joins us to discuss Dano's Dangerous Tequila. They use traditional processes to craft their tequila in one of the older distilleries around. We talk through their aging process which includes making and charring their own barrels. We sample their blanco, reposado, anejo and infused pineapple and jalepeno tequila. Dano's Tequila - https://www.danostequila.com/ Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We talk with Master Distiller Carlos Camarena who is producing brands such as Tequila Ocho, El Tesoro and Tapatio. He discusses the family aspect at his distillery La Alteña and how important it is to the business. We sip on some of his creations while discussing how his work is like an artist.    

On this episode, we talk with Jesse Estes, brand ambassador with Tequila Ocho about their company and how it was started. We discuss how they keep the agave profile through their entire lineup while sampling Ocho Plata and single barrel anejo. Tequila Ocho - http://ochotequila.com

Coming back on the show is Nic Soglanich, The Tequila Wanderer to discuss and sample blanco tequilas. We randomly selected Volans, Cascahuin Tahano and Fortaleza. During the tasting, we talk about processes and flavor profiles. The Tequila Wanderer - http://instagram.com/the_tequila_wanderer Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

La Dama Tequila shares their message on sustainability, the environment and fair treatment in the tequila industry.  We drink their blanco tequila while talking about processes and how they are trying to distinguish themselves in the market. We also discuss their beautiful bottle and how it is made from recycled glass.  La Dama Tequila - http://LaDamaTequila.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

Learn about the history of G4 Tequila while we discuss the brand with Shawn Miller.  He shares stories about master distiller Felipe Camarena, their family and unique processes. Our tequila samplings take us through their blanco, reposado, anejo and the extra anejo makes a surprise visit.  G4 Tequila - http://g4tequila.life/ Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

On this episode, we speak with Juan Pablo De Loera about El Tequileño tequila. We discuss the history of the distillery that has been open for over 60 years. We taste several of their offerings including a unique reposado that is aged for over 6 years. El Tequileño  - http://tequileno.com/ Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We talk with Alex Baca of Azunia Tequila about their small batch tequila out of Amatitan, Jalisco. The discussion centers around how they chose their particular tequila distillery and the advantages to having estate grown agave. We learn about their tequila offerings through sampling the blanco, reposado and anejo.  Azunia Tequila - https://azuniatequila.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com  

We work through covering all styles of tequila with this exclusively anejo show. As we taste through JaJa, Cantera Negra and Ocho, the conversation moves to price points and psychology of purchasing tequila.  Learn about anejos and how they can be different from brand to brand.  

We interview Maurice Tebele of JaJa tequila about how the brand was started and meaning behind the name. The conversation deep dives in some of the unique marketing they are doing in the space.  We taste their reposado tequila while taking about the blanco and newly released anejo. Learn about tequila with us on this episode. JaJa Tequila -http://Jajatequila.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

We discuss the history of Herradura tequila with brand ambassador Ruben Aceves.  Their distillery is over 400 years old but started making Herradura in 1870.  Ruben discusses their unique aging process for their blanco and how they source their barrels. We taste their Silver, Reposado, Anejo and Ultra Anejo and talk about other offerings by the company.    Casa Herradura - https://www.herradura.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com  

Lifelong friends Sheela Marshall and Natalie Merrick discuss starting their brand Tequila Sheela. Their story starts as accountants and moves onto introducing their product to the India market. We taste their blanco, reposado and anejo tequila and even discuss a potential future product.  Tequila Sheela - http://TequilaSheela.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

Learn about the blanco style of tequila as we taste through a flight. We sample Espolon, Codigo 1530 and Jaja tequila and discuss the differences. Do you think you can taste the difference between a lowland and highland tequila? We put that question to test.

On this episode we discuss the extra anejo style and how it is made and the processes involved.  We sample Don Abraham Extra Anejo, Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia and Cantera Negra Extra Anejo. Learn about tequila with us on this episode.

Tyler talks about one of our favorite tequilas, El Tesoro. We discuss the traditional processes they use to this day and the history behind it. There is a huge family aspect from the beginning of the distiller to the jimadors that cut the agave. We even get to try their unreleased extra anejo.

When technology and tequila meet, we have the Tequila Matchmaker app which gives a wealth of information while creating a community. We talk with Grover Sanschagrin, the creator of the app, about how he moved to the region to be closer to the spirit. We also talk about some of the tequila he has been into recently and sample Tequila Ocho and Fortaleza Anejo. Tequila Matchmaker - http://tequilamatchmaker.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

We sip through The Tequila Box, a curated box of boutique tequilas that are shipped directly to your door. The offerings include Ocho Plata, G4 Reposado, Adictivo Añejo, AsomBroso 5 Year Extra Añejo and Compoveda Extra Añejo. Hannah tells us about her company, Sip Tequila which aims to tell the story about tequila while getting these products in front of new audiences. Sip Tequila - https://SipTequila.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

Julio Gomez with Toro De Lidia tequila talks to us about the brand. We taste their aged offerings including their reposado, anejo and 9 year old extra anejo. We bull through these and move onto a mezcal and sotol while discussing the difference between the three.  Toro De Lidia - http://tequilatorodelidia.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We recently visited Jalisco, Mexico with the purpose of visiting distilleries to see in person how tequila is made. We start in Tlaquepaque and visit a store that holds the Guinness World Record for most tequila brands in a store. We then take the Herradura tequila train in Guadalajara to their distillery to see the process and sample their tequila. Our next stop is to the town of tequila where we have drinks and then head off to Fortaleza. We were able to interview Guillermo Sauza and have a private tour of his distillery.  Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We had the honor of sitting down and talking to Guillermo Sauza, founder of Fortaleza Tequila at his distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. He discussed with us the history of the distillery and how they continue to use a traditional method of tequila production. We taste their entire line up of tequila including blanco, cask strength blanco, reposado and anejo. Tequila Fortaleza - https://TequilaFortaleza.com

Nick Kovacic, the Director of the documentary Agave: Spirit of a Nation joins us to discuss his film. We talk about how the tradition of distilling and the process of making tequila and mezcal is passed on for generations. We go into the making of the film and how the stories were developed.  At the end, we have an impromptu tequila tasting. Film Website - http://Agave.Film Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We talk to Andrew and Carlos with Don Anastacio tequila about their lineup of tequila. The interview starts with a history of the brand and leads the discussing the flavors found in each expression. We also tastes an unreleased reposado called La Santa. Don Anastacio - http://tequilaquiote.com/ Don Anastacio Instagram - https://instagram.com/tequila_donanastacio Margarita Texas - http://MargaritaTexas.com

Jorge Raptis, national educator with Diageo, shares with us his extensive knowledge of agave based spirits. We discuss the history of Don Julio tequila and processes used to make their tequila. The discussion also goes into processes used at other distilleries that are not so traditional.  We also sample most of Don Julio's offerings including 1942 and double cask reposado. Our amigos at Don Julio would like to remind everyone to please drink responsibly Don Julio - http://DonJulio.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We discuss starting a new tequila brand and challenges with Scott Willis of Tequila 512. He chats with us about labeling, bottles and choosing the right juice to put in that bottle. We discuss an explosion that happened at one of their plants that delayed production. Our talk then leads into tasting their blanco, reposado and anejo tequila and how they are aged and the barrels used.  Tequila 512 - http://tequila512.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

We interview Tom Nall, founder of Republic Tequila, a company based out of Austin, Texas. This cowboy discusses how he went to Mexico and found the perfect juice to start his company. We also taste their plata, reposado, anejo and extra anejo and how they are made.   Republic Tequila - http://republictequila.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com/mix

On this episode we discuss infused tequila with Steve Sharma, owner of El Big Bad, a restaurant in Houston, Texas. His unique establishment allows patrons to customize their own margaritas by choosing flavored tequila including possible combinations of churro, beef jerky and strawberry. We discuss the details of how he infuses his tequila while he encourages everyone to try it at home. El Big Bad - https://ElBigBad.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We interview Robert Tijerina and Casey Hartle of Titanium Tequila. We taste their Blanco, Reposado, Anejo & Ultra Aged tequila while discussing the process involved in each expression. The talk starts at how the brand was formed and moves into cocktails and informative details on how their tequila is made. Titanium Tequila - https://www.titaniumtequila.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

On this episode, we discuss reposados with Nic Soglanich, The Tequila Wanderer. Our in depth conversation on the style and how they are made centers around two of his favorite reposados, El Tesoro & Codigo 1530. We also talk about his weekly featured tequila videos, Instagram page and travels. The Tequila Wanderer - http://instagram.com/the_tequila_wanderer Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

On this episode Stewart and Kaitlyn Skloss join us to discuss Pura Vida tequila. We find insight on how the company was started and continue with aspects of the business part of the operations. We taste their reposado and anejo on air and speak to how those and their blanco and double anejo are made and aged. They mention a musical approach to fermenting and why they added this process. Pura Vida Tequila - http://puravidatequila.com/ Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

Pepe Zevada of Pepe Z Tequila talks to us about how the brand he founded was created out of retirement. He discusses their lineup of tequilas, the flavors and aging process. Things go in a different direction as he suggests rubbing tequila on arms and hands as part of an experiment. Pepe Z Tequila - http://pepeztequila.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

In the first episode of The Tequila Tester, we interview J. Antuna, owner of Sueno De Atzo Tequila. He discusses the processes to make and age his blanco, reposado, anjeo and extra anejo tequila. Learn about these styles of tequila and how the flavors differ from each variation. Sueno De Atzo Tequila - https://atzosdream.com No Autoclave - http://noautoclave.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com