Best Raicilla Podcasts (2025)

1
The devils in the angel share 18:39

5d ago18:39

18:39

Shout out this episode to Steve Catbagan, Denver, and its groovy agave scene; Arik Torren and his Lot 001 Brands, and fog nets. And of Cambio Tequila!By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan, John Des Rosiers

1
What do we call them when they’re not all agave spirits? 18:46

12d ago18:46

18:46

Shout out this episode to Quiote Mezcaleria! And when in Chicago go visit the desert house at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It’s as close to Mexico as anything 1,800 miles north of Mexico!By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan, Hector Ortiz

1
What’s the deal with Rusty Mezcal? 19:34

19d ago19:34

19:34

The previous episode that inspired this episode is “The secret origin of Tequila Oro.” Shout out this episode to Jason Cox at 5 Sentidos! Shout out to Tequila Cascahuin! Maybe dibs in Chicago actually was documented…? Click here!By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan

1
Making old ale from agave syrup! 16:44

27d ago16:44

16:44

That incredible beer-not-beer was made by tlachiquero Marco Antonio of pulqueria El rincon de Mayahuel in San Felipe, Guanajuato. I was introduced to Marco by Malena Villasuso and Juan Pedro Valdes of Mezcal Villasuso. This episode was recorded outdoors at Bárbaro Asador de Campo, an amazing table-in-farm restaurant in Queretaro, where we stopped t…

1
The Secret Origin of Tequila Oro 17:32

1M ago17:32

17:32

This episode was inspired by a bottle by Victor Ramos, sourced from his tasting room in Miahuatlan, Oaxaca, labeled “Mensoncle de Arroqueno.” It’s the first time I’ve seen that spelling, but it refers to the heart of the agave — like mezontle. mesonte, and Mezonte. (Hi, Pedro!)By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan

1
Making Mezcal from the flowering agave 16:06

1M ago16:06

16:06

Shout outs this episode to Oaxacan speakeasy Hembra, Marco Ochoa of Mezcouting, Sylvia Philion of Mezcaloteca, and Enrique Martinez of Metsal!By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan, Natalia Sanchez Bustamante

1
The ominous threat of Mezcal tariffs 19:21

2M ago19:21

19:21

Check out the diverse selection of Mexican spirits being imported by Lot001 Brands! They have Mi Casa Tequila, Parejo (which offers Sotol and Lechugilla expressions), Rancho Tepúa (which offers Bacanora, Lechuguilla, and Palmilla expressions), Whiskey Maíz Nation, and Pelacañas Rum!By Lou Bank, Arik Torren

1
Should we limit the limited-release Mezcals? 24:45

2M ago24:45

24:45

Shout outs this episode to Mezonte, Off Premise: Wine, Agave, Whiskey & Craft Beer, and Alambique Serrano Single-Origin Oaxacan Rum!By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan

1
Why is Espadin the only Angustifolia in Oaxaca? 15:49

2M ago15:49

15:49

Mezcal geeks love to run down all the varieties of Agave Karwinskii they can name. And when we talk about Agave Americana, we talk about Arroqueno and Coyote and Sierra Negra. But the most prolific of agaves in Oaxaca is easily Angustifolia, represented exclusively by Espadin. But that’s not the sole variety of the species – at least, outside of Oa…

1
The 400 decisions of Tequila 37:21

2M ago37:21

37:21

In addition to our quoted friends at Cambio Tequila and Tequila Torrente, we also mention this episode Felipe Camarena of G4 Tequila and Greg Rutkowski of Finca 18 and 30 Topes Mixto de Agave, and Chava Periban of the podcast “Heritage Mezcal.” And Steve Dahl. And Dark Matter Coffee’s Star Lounge. To learn more about the fascinating agricultural pr…

1
The day celebrating the people who work at bars 19:27

3M ago19:27

19:27

National Bartenders Day is the first Friday of December. That’s December 6 in 2024! Listen to Bridget’s podcast, “Served Up,” here! To listen to the episode I was on, click here. Healthy Pour is a boutique coaching and consulting firm dedicated to transforming the global landscape of work. Founder Laura Louise Green has deep roots in the hospitalit…

1
Another way to bring the desert to your bar 29:11

3M ago29:11

29:11

If you’re in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, go drink pulque at Reina Cortes Cortes’s A&V La Casa del Pulque. Drink the pulque — all the pulque — but also check out Quiote de Maguey Escabeche from Mujeres 5 Estrellas! Check out Lyanne’s article that inspired this episode: “Meet the Cactus Powering a New Generation of Latino-Owned Businesses,” Inc., Sept…

1
A different approach to additive-free Tequila 20:51

3M ago20:51

20:51

If you’re not already all over the Tequila Matchmaker app, you should be. Scarlet and Grover have built an amazing resource for anyone interested at any level in Tequila. They started the Additive-Free Alliance, a coalition of Tequila brands, retailers, consumers, and producers of other agave-based products who are dedicated to processes that do no…

1
The physical cost of pre-industrial Mezcal 26:10

3M ago26:10

26:10

Shout out to Lalo Angeles of Lalocura for his insights about the damage done to the palenqueros who mill agave by hand. Shout out to Jake Lustig of Mina Real and Mezcal Don Amado for his efforts to reduce smoke in the lives of the people from whom he sources his spirits. Shout out to Neta for supporting the healthcare of mezcalero Celso Garcia. Sho…

1
Can culture and commerce coexist in a bottle? 28:09

3M ago28:09

28:09

Want easier access to beautiful spirits? Add your signature to ShipMySpirits.org! Live in Illinois and want easier access to beautiful spirits? Send a letter to Deputy Governor Andy Manar! Read the article that inspired this episode: “U.S. Craft Distilleries Are in Crisis,” Food & Wine, July 31, 2024 That quote from Peter Holland, rum expert and Fo…

1
What happens when they stop calling it Tequila? 32:48

4M ago32:48

32:48

Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico. This episode is hosted by Lou Bank with special guest Marissa Paragano of The Tequiladies. Note that this episode was recorded on September 25, 2024 -- before some of the latest developments regardi…

1
When did “smooth” become a dirty word? 27:19

4M ago27:19

27:19

Dig whiskey? Dig the blog of the mighty Chuck Cowdery! Want to know more about Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol? Click here!By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan, Francisco Prieto, Chuck Cowdery

1
The argument for pairing chocolate with Mezcal 32:00

4M ago32:00

32:00

Thanks to road-tripper Shain Bela Lugosi in San Diego for pointing me to Oslo Sardine Bar! Caputo’s offers the most amazing mail-order selection of chocolate! Read Rowan Jacobsen’s Wild Chocolate book, on sale now! When in Chicago, drop into Dark Matter’s Sleep Walk Chocolateria!By Rowan Jacobsen

1
Is Mezcal More Authentic Than Tequila? 27:31

4M ago27:31

27:31

People in the Tequila chat groups get pretty outraged by things like diffusers and additives, and the basis for their outrage tends to be that these things aren’t traditional. But if it’s tradition they’re looking for, why aren’t they drinking Mezcal? Isn’t that more traditional than Tequila? And what exactly is tradition? It’s the most authentic e…

1
There Is No Traditional Mezcal in the Marketplace 47:42

5M ago47:42

47:42

In the comments section of the Agave Road Trip Instagram page, Craig Reynolds — founder of the California Agave Council — wrote, “Unfortunately, there is virtually no significant amount of truly traditionally produced Mezcal left in the marketplace. It’s not environmentally or economically sustainable. An unfortunate fact that is difficult to accep…

1
The World’s Most Environmentally Sustainable Mezcal Brand 33:36

5M ago33:36

33:36

This Mezcal brand replants agave in the wild, uses solar power, and only cooks with certified wood. They convert their bagaso into biodegradable planters. They are a model of best practices in the industry. And they just left the market because no one supported them. We question what you really care about in this episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave R…

1
The Argument for Pairing Tinned Fish With Mezcal 26:58

5M ago26:58

26:58

Gone are the days when jars of pickled eggs and pigs feet lined the back of a bar. But a bit of food in your stomach can sure help when you’re out drinking. So what should the new bar snacks be? And how can they enhance your drinks menu? Sustainable-seafood expert Barton Seaver makes the case for canned fish. We go fishing for a new bar-snack direc…

1
The Most Important Tequila of the Century 25:17

5M ago25:17

25:17

Once a century, Agave Road Trip goes out looking for the most important Tequila of that era. Now, there are still a solid 75 years let in this century, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say, this early in the game, I’ve identified that Tequila. And the winner is… Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx…

1
Does the Tequila in Your Margarita Matter? 27:42

6M ago27:42

27:42

I saw a number of posts online suggesting that, if you’re making a Margarita, it doesn’t matter what Tequila you use – it pretty much tastes the same. Linda and I decided to put that to the test with a jury of nine tasters. What’s the verdict? To find out you’ll have to listen to this episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically accl…

1
The Politics of Mezcal 41:09

6M ago41:09

41:09

Not everybody who drinks Mezcal is politically liberal. Not everyone carrying a copita in their pocket is a Democrat. Not all of the folks traveling to rural Mexico lean left. In fact, probably most of the mezcalerxs themselves tend to be more conservative. In this politically hot season, it’s maybe a good idea to consider that the person across th…

1
Did Salsa Change Gringos or Did Gringos Change Salsa? 24:51

6M ago24:51

24:51

A recent article in the New York Times suggested, "As more foreigners, especially Americans, visit or move to Mexico City, some taco shops have lowered the heat in their sauces. Not everyone is happy.” That makes me think about how foreign consumption of Tequila and Mezcal have also influenced the flavors — and the recipes — of those other landmark…

1
De-caf, Non-fat Tequila 19:04

6M ago19:04

19:04

Eric Kozlik of Modern Bar Cart shared with me an email exchange he’d had with a PR agency, where their selling point for a new Bourbon was that it was made using a "proprietary heirloom corn.” That made me think about Tequilas that are labeled “gluten-free.” Which made Eric think of “non-GMO.” Which made me think about the difference between “still…

1
Mezcal Is Smoky Tequila 17:23

7M ago17:23

17:23

Mezcal geeks and agave nerds get hot under the collar when someone suggests that Mezcal is smoky Tequila. But … isn’t it? It’s a fire-starter episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico. This episode is hosted by Lo…

1
Uncertified Mezcal Can Kill You 28:02

7M ago28:02

28:02

It’s true: An uncertified agave spirit can kill you. But so can a certified Mezcal. Or a certified Tequila. So … what exactly is the point of certification? I had this … conversation? debate? battle? … with Sergio Garnier of Mezcal Ultramundo in another episode in March of this year. He felt like he had more to say and I feel like I could talk abou…

1
Mezcal Flights or Mezcal Cocktails? 36:36

7M ago36:36

36:36

No question but that most people in the USA are introduced to Mezcal through cocktails. But most bartenders I know — most people I know, in fact — prefer drinking Mezcal neat. Drinking spirits neat, however, can be intimidating to that cocktail drinker. So what’s the gateway? We talk Mezcal flights in this 30,000-foot episode of Agave Road Trip! Ag…

1
Tequila Cristalino: Threat or Menace? 26:21

7M ago26:21

26:21

You can’t log onto a Facebook Tequila group without seeing Cristalino Tequila derided, abused, and generally treated as some kind of punch line. But … do those user groups reflect the average consumer? Does the average consumer matter as much as the more highly engaged consumers that populate these online groups? And does consumption itself matter …

1
Beverage Testing Institute Does Not Say Mezcal Is the Purest Distilled Alcohol 24:37

7M ago24:37

24:37

“According to the Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago in Illinois, mezcal is the purest distillate or alcohol that exists on the planet and the noblest with the human body.” Or, at least, that’s the oft-repeated quote that comes up every several months and drives the folks at the Beverage Testing Institute crazy. So I’ve invited Andrew Moldenhaue…

1
Horse Piss, Arm Pits, and Other Mezcal Additives 26:42

8M ago26:42

26:42

I like to talk about the 400 decisions that a mezcalerx makes that determines how an agave spirit tastes. But there are other elements beyond their decisions … natural elements that find their way into the process … that also have an impact on what goes into the bottle. We’re taking shots in this episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a cri…

1
When Did Tequila Stop Being Fun? 22:19

8M ago22:19

22:19

It’s all in the eye of the beholder, I know. But when I think about what Tequila was back in the ‘80s and ‘90s … it was a catalyst for fun. I had a coworker who thought “tequila” was Spanish for “dancing on tables.” And I still see that, though mainly in Mexico. Here in the USA, it’s become so serious. Or maybe I just don’t go to the right places o…

1
Yes, There Can Be Additives in Mezcal 23:46

8M ago23:46

23:46

In the past several weeks, I have seen in numerous online forums the misstatement that Mezcal can’t have additives. And the misstatement that those additives can only be fresh fruits and raw turkey. So this episode is 100% just so I can post a simple link the next time I see that error pop up again. And it’s an opportunity to clarify the allowance …

1
A $30 Chicken Dinner Is a Bargain 31:05

8M ago31:05

31:05

John Douglass of the multi-award-winning Louisville bar Pretty Decent is renowned for his hospitality. But he got a bit hot under the collar when one of his favorite customers complained about a $30 chicken dinner at a fancy spot around the corner. We break that chicken down — and your free chips-and-salsa, too — in this under-priced episode of Aga…

1
You Can’t Recycle That Bottle 20:10

9M ago20:10

20:10

Road-tripper Nathan Mealey checked in to ask, “How do you if a brand is ethical?” So I’ve started having that conversation with a number of people, coming at the question from different angles. This first answer considers packaging — specifically glass bottles. We think of those glasses as recyclable. But … are they? It’s a myth-busting episode of …

1
Making Beer With Agave (And Sotol) 19:43

9M ago19:43

19:43

How do you turn 24,000 acres of wild maguey Lamparillo and dasylirion into beer? You bring Mike Schallau of is/was brewing to Durango to hang out with Sergio Garnier of Mezcal Ultramundo! Mike has been making beer since 2018 with agave I’ve brought him from Mexico, to fundraise for SACRED. This year, he made the trip himself. The beer is in the wor…

1
Cocktails as Cultural Bridges 44:57

9M ago44:57

44:57

I’ve heard a lot about how bartenders use cocktails as a way to introduce their guests to Mexican spirits like Mezcal, Tequila, Raicilla, Bacanora, and Sotol. And lately, I’ve also heard a little about using those same cocktails to introduce guests to the communities those spirits come from – turning the cocktail into a gateway to another culture. …

1
What Is the Connection Between Mezcal, Mexican Food, and Museums? 25:41

9M ago25:41

25:41

The first time I saw tascalate on a menu it was at Itanoni in Oaxaca. I immediately fell in love with the traditional drink. But finding a second cup – particularly at home in Chicago – was a lost cause. But now, years later, Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu has written an article about how tascalte has made its way onto bar menus. And that’s a reflectio…

1
Maybe That 12-Year-Old Agave Is Only Five Years Old… 26:49

10M ago26:49

26:49

I was having a conversation with Grace Gonzalez of Tequila El Mayor and she said something that brought into focus a thought that’s been bumping around in my head: We talk a lot about the ages of the agaves that are used to make Mezcal and Tequila. But there’s really no mechanism to verify that. And, in fact, since different agaves reach maturity a…

1
Mezcal Moto-Rally! 46:25

10M ago46:25

46:25

Four wheels good! Two wheels more good? For the last few years, Nick Barreiro has organized a moto-rally for small group of motorcycle-and-Mexico enthusiasts. And while motorcycles aren’t my speed, I know they work for plenty of gringx bartenders, and I love this whole different way to take in the stories of rural Mexico. Learn about Nick’s interna…

1
What Can Cultivated Meat Teach Us About Mezcal? 28:28

10M ago28:28

28:28

In his New York Times op-ed about the imploding dream of cultivated meat, Joe Fassler writes, “[It] was an embodiment of the wish that we can change everything without changing anything. We wouldn’t need to rethink our relationship to Big Macs and bacon. We could go on believing that the world would always be the way we’ve known it.” And while I ca…

1
Are the Best Bottles of the Year the Best Bets for Your Bar? 24:20

10M ago24:20

24:20

Vinepair, Wine Enthusiast, Esquire … seems like every publication these days has their suggestions for what you should have been drinking over the past year. Maybe what you should be purchasing as holiday gifts. But these lists can also serve as sales tools for gringx bartenders! It’s a DIY episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a criticall…

1
This Bottle Protects Jaguars 25:04

10M ago25:04

25:04

We’ve done a lot of episodes about the importance of biodiversity, but usually we’re talking about plants. Sometimes insects. Bats, on occasion. So when we got an email from the gang at Alma de Jaguar Tequila about preserving this apex predator, I thought, yeah, let’s really sink our teeth into this subject! It’s a wild cat episode of Agave Road Tr…

1
Are Agave Straws Really Better Than Plastic? 21:57

11M ago21:57

21:57

A trend that’s emerged in the past decade are these drinking straws that are being promoted as made from agave fibers — the agave fibers being a byproduct of the process for making Tequila and Mezcal. The straws are marketed as biodegradable. But I think — emphasis on “think” — that these straws are at least in part made from plastics and are not a…

1
How to Pair Mezcal With Food 33:57

11M ago33:57

33:57

I’m seeing a lot more restaurants expanding their Mezcal selections, and a lot more events pairing Mezcal with food. So what do you eat when you drink Mezcal? I asked a bunch of industry folks that question over the last several months, then coerced food, science, and nature journalist Rowan Jacobsen to dig through those quotes with me to add his o…

1
Why Brands Don’t Certify Their Mezcal 31:00

11M ago31:00

31:00

Since I first met Sergio Garnier, before he launched Mezcal Ultramundo, we’ve debated about the relative merits of certifying your agave spirits as Mezcal. We decided it was time to record our disagreement. It’s a what-side-are-you-on episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bart…

1
The Secret Origin of Bull-skin Fermentation in Mezcal 15:43

11M ago15:43

15:43

The fist time I tasted an agave spirit fermented in the skin of a bull, it was all anyone was talking about in Oaxaca. I tasted it at three mezcalerias, and all three bottles were made by Amando Alvarado Alvarez in Santa Maria Ixcatlan, Oaxaca. I made my way out to visit him a few months later, to see the bull-skin fermenters myself. And when I sha…

1
All Bino Mexcal Is Mezcal but Not All Mezcal Is Bino Mexcal 25:49

12M ago25:49

25:49

Did the small family producers in Tequila, Jalisco, eat the metaphorical and literal lunch of the big producers in Guanajuato and San Luis Potosi at the 1893 World’s Fair? It’s a What If? episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, …

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