Mezcalistas

09/27/2025

When it comes to spirits, there is more to Mexico than agave. The craft spirit revival and the ascendancy of mezcal has also inspired distillers and entrepreneurs to look beyond agave. So we’re seeing a renewed interest in traditional spirits such as charanda as well as creative thinking along the lines of: What if gin? Or whiskey? But Mexican?

Given the vast resources of native ingredients, Mexico might just be the center of the most exciting and innovative craft spirits movement in the world. We've put together a crash course guide of Mexican craft spirits, from aguardiente to vodka and a few things in between as an entry point into what is happening.

Link in bio to news or here: https://www.mezcalistas.com/mexican-craft-liquor/

09/25/2025

This past weekend found me (Susan) in Santa Fe, New Mexico visiting friends and taking in the gorgeousness that is that part of the country. Wanting a refreshment, we stopped in at which is part store, part little bar and pretty much a dream come true for folks that want to buy a bottle and then sip on it right away with friends - think of it as bottle service in the best possible way without the pretension, cost and booming music.

They have a terrific selection of agave spirits, rum, whiskey, liqueurs, wine, beer and well everything. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and the cocktails, while limited on the menu (though they will make you anything), really interesting and innovative. It was a great way to take a pause from all of the walking and art gazing and just converse with friends - both new and old.

Anyhow, if you find yourself in Santa Fe, it is definitely a very worthwhile stop!

09/19/2025

Worst kept secret here at Mezcalistas is how much we love reading and books.

In her latest piece, has put together a list of 8 books on Mexican history.

So what exactly does Mexican history and mezcal have to do with one another?
The forces that shaped mezcal are the forces that shaped Mexico–Indigenous knowledge, tradition, and innovation; conquest; voluntary cultural exchange, dirty politics, ecology, geography; and, of course necessity, that dear old mother of invention. If you love mezcal and seek a deeper understanding of these forces, this is a terrific list of compelling and illuminating books.

Link in bio to news or here for the full piece: https://www.mezcalistas.com/?p=88108

09/18/2025

Mezcal is at a significant juncture and is facing some challenging headwinds. Some of these challenges are longstanding and we have written about them extensively, some of them are the result of the current economic environment. None are without solution but all require collective action.

Vicente Reyes, co-founder of , sees these challenges daily and is concerned. We spoke at length of what he is seeing in Mexico and what we are seeing here in the US market. The result of that conversation is Reyes' in depth thought piece which we have published both in Spanish and English. Here is just a snippet:

"El futuro del mezcal no está necesariamente en competir con el tequila en volumen, sino en defender lo que lo hace único: su diversidad de agaves, su raíz cultural, su sostenibilidad y su autenticidad. El riesgo de no decidir a tiempo es quedar atrapados en la peor de las posiciones: sin la escala para competir como commodity, pero perdiendo la autenticidad que lo diferenciaba."

"The future of mezcal doesn’t necessarily lie in competing with tequila in volume, but in defending what makes it unique: the diversity of agaves, cultural roots, sustainability, and authenticity. The risk of not deciding in time is being trapped in the worst of positions: lacking the scale to compete as a commodity, but losing the authenticity that set it apart."

To read the complete piece see our Link in bio to News or here for the Spanish version: https://www.mezcalistas.com/el-mezcal-en-la-encrucijada-commodity-o-patrimonio-cultural/

and here for the English version: https://www.mezcalistas.com/how-to-create-a-stronger-mezcal-industry/

09/17/2025

Viva México y feliz Dia de Independencia!

09/12/2025

Here at Mezcalistas, we can get pretty deep into the weeds. And while we’re wondering how fermentation tanks might influence the flavor of mezcal, we sometimes forget that–for many people–the more crucial questions are: “How is mezcal different from tequila?” or even “What is mezcal?”

These aren’t stupid queries. The answers are complex, which is why our 101 Guides to the different types of mezcal are long and detailed. But if you’re wondering why some mezcal is not called mezcal (but don’t have time to read six pages on the topic), or how tequila became tequila, we’ve created a cheat sheet for easy reference.

Check it out, link in bio or here: https://www.mezcalistas.com/agave-spirit-cheat-sheet-regional-mezcal-categories/

09/10/2025

This is a terrific piece of reporting by Emma Janzen for Punch.

As the Trump administration continues its mass deportation campaign, hospitality workers around the country are preparing for the worst.

09/10/2025

Looking for some great mezcal bars in NY?

Tess Rose Lampert put together a list of four places where she loves sipping on mezcal and why. Hint, it is not always about the number of bottles or rare batches...

(points to you if you can name which bars these interiors belong to!)

Link in bio to mezcal news for the full piece, or here: https://www.mezcalistas.com/our-picks-for-a-few-of-the-best-new-york-mezcal-bars/

09/09/2025

Happy Mezcal Monday! We've got a new Mezcal Encyclopedia post up that comes from our recent What's New wrap up.

Filed under What the... we wrote about a new offering from 400 Conejos, a mezcal cristalino (you can read the story to find out why it was labeled a What the...)

Cristalinos have been a thing in tequila and now they are bleeding over into mezcal, and it seems, raicilla. But what exactly makes a cristalino a cristalino? Check out our latest encyclopedia entry to understand more, link in bio to Encyclopedia or here: https://www.mezcalistas.com/cristalino/

09/08/2025

Just one more reason for folks to check out Amparo Fondito in Washington, DC...

Scientists say insects could be a sustainable way to feed a growing world. D.C. chef Christian Irabién just wants people to see Mexican cuisine in a new light.

09/05/2025

Check out our latest edition of What's New? where we breakdown some of the new mezcal brands in the market. And as always, we have one that begs the question, what the...

Link in bio to mezcal news or here: https://www.mezcalistas.com/whats-new-some-interesting-mezcal-brands-and-one-wtf/

09/04/2025

So, how are current ICE policies impacting businesses in Chicago, home of the 2nd largest Mexican-American population in the US? Ask Mike Moreno of Moreno's Liquors...

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/chicago-latino-businesses-hurt-immigration-policies?fbclid=IwY2xjawMm4z1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFod3NmdDlQTG00dGRLcXNLAR7Z9omMIH3FthRhumQljpmNArY_o29pVxryvMSxmvpjnOHHGH8qXVf_8bZW0A_aem_CaUaczl4aDM2164B1bkXKg

Small-business owners are reporting dramatic sales declines tied to stepped-up immigration enforcement and customers avoiding stores.