Agave Road Trip provides gringo bartenders with firsthand knowledge about heritage agave spirits from Mexico, including mezcal, raicilla, bacanora, and destilado de agave.
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Follow three passionate Agave spirit enthusiasts into the world of Mezcal, Bacanora, Raicilla, Sotol, Tequila and more, and tag along on their journey to learn about the culture and tradition surrounding this beautiful drink. We are Cate, Diego and Albert and of course we are going to sample what some call "Elixir of the gods"- a lot of it! A Mexican-German-American co-production, made in Berlin.
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Whether you like it neat, mixed or in a cocktail, we're talking all things bourbon (and bourbon adjacent). We sample a variety of expressions on our Flight Nights with different brands and ask plenty of questions about events, brands and so much more on our We've Got Questions series. Find more Neat & Mixed at hopsspirits.com.
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Sports and Spirits is a weekly podcast discussing the biggest events in the world of sports as well as some of the local establishments, breweries, wineries, and restaurants at the location of these events. We attempt to take you in for a taste of the local scene that makes each of these weekly venues special.
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What happens to Tequila when there’s no more red volcanic soil?
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28:24
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28:24I hear and read a lot about how the red, mineral-rich volcanic soil is what makes this Tequila especially delicious. Or about the arid earth that makes that Mezcal so special. But … those are not forever things, right? If the minerals produce an agave that makes a delicious spirit, that means the agave is taking something from that soil — is consum…
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In the world of whiskey, most geeks will tell you that a spirit won’t age unless it’s stored in wood. In the world of agave spirits, geeks will swear they do change. The agave geeks are right and, now, we finally have proof. It’s an evidentiary episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps g…
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Eron Plevan on elevating whiskey cocktails at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
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35:01Eron Plevan, lead bartender at Tartan House, joins us to preview his premium event at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival — “What Goes Up? Whiskey Cocktails – Best Served Up.” He shares what attendees can expect from the add-on session, why whiskey cocktails served “up” are often the most expressive, and how he balances bold creativity with timeless clas…
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I was watching that short documentary that PKGD released about mezcalero Carlos Mendez Blas, “Capitan Palomo.” And I was struck by the revelations in that film and how I think there’s something in Carlos’ world view that could solve the problems around immigration. Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx b…
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Music, Bourbon & Starstruck Moments: Chris Blandford on Fork & Flask
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22:43
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22:43We sit down with Chris Blandford, Kroger’s Wine & Spirits Expert and co-host of Fork & Flask, to talk about all things Bourbon & Beyond — one of the country’s biggest music, food, and bourbon festivals. Chris shares how he got involved with the event, what it’s like to co-host Fork & Flask, and how the series brings musicians, chefs, and spirits to…
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Linda has her method for tasting agave spirits. I have mine. And they’re relatively the same. But we just learned a new method from Rosa Perez Hernandez of Campanilla and it blew our minds! It’s a breath-taking episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand…
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What can Raicilla teach us about Tequila?
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20:30Ron Aleman of Taco Mucho knows and loves Tequila. But he’s now finding himself drawn to Raicilla. “I’ve never had one I didn’t like,” he says. And I have a theory about that. So I run that theory by Marissa Paragano of The Tequiladies in this Jalisco-centric episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcas…
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There are people in rural Mexico for whom Mezcal is 100% cultural heritage. And there are people there for whom it’s 100% business — sometimes tied to cultural heritage but sometimes tied simply to paying for food, clothing, shelter, and life’s aspirations and pleasures. So what does it mean when that business side taps into the cultural heritage s…
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Oaklore Distilling Story: From Neighbors to Bourbon Makers
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34:15Join us for an inside look at Oaklore Distilling with co-founders Tom Bogan and Matt Simpkins, along with Jack Shute, VP of Sales and Commercial Operations. We hear the story of how a simple neighborhood friendship and walking kids to school sparked the launch of their distillery.Discover the challenges they faced navigating Charlotte and North Car…
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I see it all over the news, hear it in conversations: we're drinking less. But then I look at the sales numbers from DISCUS and it makes me wonder, are we really drinking less? Or are we just drinking differently? It’s a complex math equation that we try to solve in this episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-w…
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Sagamore Spirit Whiskey Tasting with Clint “Spotty” Spotleson — History, Rye & New Releases
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59:43
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59:43Join us for Flight Night with Sagamore Spirit of Maryland and Clint “Spotty” Spotleson, their Global Advocacy & Engagement Manager. We taste three distinct rye whiskey expressions — Bottled in Bond Rye, Double Oak Rye, and Cask Strength Rye — while chatting with Spotty about Sagamore’s rich history, their focus on using Maryland-grown rye, the uniq…
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The fastest-growing spirits category in the USA is Tequila/Mezcal. The most popular cocktail is the Margarita. We love tacos, we love tamales. So … can all of that help us as a country learn to love the people who brought us these things we love? Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better un…
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What Is Bacanora? Tasting & Talk with Kilinga Founder Rodrigo Bojórquez
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48:30
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48:30Join us for Flight Night with Rodrigo Bojórquez, founder and master distiller of Kilinga Bacanora. We sample three unique bacanora expressions — Silvestre, Blanco, and Reposado — while Rodrigo shares what makes bacanora special, how it differs from mezcal and tequila, the journey of bringing bacanora to the US market, and much more.…
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At the DISCUS conference a few months ago, I was at a party that was populated by small-brand tasting tables. The one that drew my attention most was the one that was both least visited and most colorful. And my response to everything they were pouring was, Yes, please! But most especially, the White Chocolate/Raspberry Tiramisu whiskey! It’s an ar…
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Blind tastings, decision-making, prejudices, spirits awards, and 818 Tequila
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21:57I thought this episode was going to be about blind tastings. And it is. Or, at least, it starts that way. But when you’re talking with Marissa, aka @tequilaencyclopedia , you rarely take as straight a path as you’d expect. So if you want to listen to a conversation about that … or about CostCo … or about the Agavos Awards … or how much I paid Maris…
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It's a Flight Night with Minden Mill (of Nevada) and master distiller Joe O’Sullivan. We try three expressions -- American Single Malt, Bourbon and Rye -- and chat with Joe about his passion for single malt, making estate-made whiskies, their unique barrel aging process, making an affordable pour, what's next and more.…
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Chuck Cowdery was called “the dean of American whiskey journalism” by no less than Robert Simonson in the New York Times. So when I decided more than 250 episodes into this podcast to finally devote one to Mexican whiskey, I naturally invited my celebrated drinking buddy over. It’s (perhaps) the corniest episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip …
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Last episode we contrasted the good done through the consumption of heritage agave spirits with the damage caused by same. This episode, we talk about the damage done by the casual consumption of agave spirits. And coffee. And chocolate. And … well, everything. It’s a casual-destruction episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically ac…
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It’s amazing and moving to see mezcalerxs whose lives have clearly improved as a result of the growing interest in agave spirits. But there’s another side to that story – or, really, multiple other sides to it: some good, some bad, and some … well, the jury is still out on those. We talk about those various stories in this episode of Agave Road Tri…
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We love the innovation and approaches that craft distillers take. Especially when they release something unexpected. Plus, we review the Monk's Road Rye, Kentucky Senator Bourbon John Edwards Release and Larrikin Rosewater.
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Is there anything better than listening to some music and enjoying a few pours? We talk how drinks, especially bourbon, are meeting music these days in more ways. Plus, we review the Whiskey JYPSI Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon (from Eric Church and company) & Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Legacy Edition Bourbon.…
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When I first started drinking Mezcal, I was told that there were some agaves that couldn’t be farmed — that could only grow wild. And I still here that narrative some two decades later. And it still doesn’t make sense to me. So I did the only logical thing: I asked a farmer. Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that help…
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It's Derby Season in Kentucky as the horses hit the track and the pour start flowing. Plus, we review the High N' Wicked Bourbon and Yellowstone Small Batch 107.
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We've Got Questions: 2025 Bourbon on the Banks
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25:41We've Got Questions for the Bourbon on the Banks crew on what new events are happening this year, what to expect at the event, ticket options, how Frankfort, Kentucky has grown and more.
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In my consumer-focused tastings, I tell attendees that one of the big things I hope they walk away with is, they can lead a more delicious life and support a more sustainable ecosystem if they start drinking more than just Blue Weber processed in Jalisco and Espadin processed in Oaxaca – that’s literally 99% of what they drink now, and if they inst…
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So how much can a barrel finish a whiskey? We find out with a trip to Washington. Plus, we review the Woodinville Rye Whiskey and Woodinville Rye Whiskey finished in Port Casks.
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Tailgates, horses and good pours at Keeneland
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4:41
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4:41There's plenty of reasons why you should go visit Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, for their spring and/or fall meet. Plus, we review the Wheel Horse Double Oak Bourbon, Never Say Die Bourbon and Never Say Die Rye.
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Mexico has been purchasing about $3 billion of corn annually from farmers in the USA, the vast majority of that corn having been grown from genetically modified seeds. The Mexican government announced in 2020 that it would, in 2025, ban that GMO corn from the country, which was found to be in violation of the USMCA agreement of 2018. So now, the Me…
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Flight Night with The Perfect Fifth and Karl Schoen
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57:55
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57:55It's a Flight Night with The Perfect Fifth's Canongate and founder/CEO Karl Schoen. We try three of their Canongate single barrel expressions -- 11YO, 14YO and 15YO -- and chat with them about how they source their barrels, why they finish aging the barrels in Scotland, future releases, making a home in Kentucky and more.…
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We've Got Questions: 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Festival
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31:16We've Got Questions for Randy Prasse , president and COO of KBF, about what folks can expect at this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Plus, he talks about new ticket options, a new layout and more.
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The CRT is no longer the sole certifier for Tequila
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27:13
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27:13If you want to listen to that October 2023 episode with Khrys Maxwell, it’s “The CRT loses their Tequila monopoly.” You might also want to check out this episode: “The Birth and Death of the CRM,” in which MIA Chava and I discuss the end of the CRM’s monopoly on Mezcal certification. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr…
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There's plenty of reasons why you should go to bourbon festivals, such as the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bourbon on the Banks, and others. Plus, we review the Town Branch Overproof (which debuted at KBF) and Maple Barrel Stout Finished Bourbon.
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Boozy 8: Best states making bourbon and whiskey
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22:30It's time for the Boozy 8: The states that we think make the best bourbon and whiskey in the US. Plus, we talk about some of our favorite distilleries and some great shirts by Copper & Tap.#bourbon #whisky #whiskey
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Check out Riker’s project, MadAgave, on the Web, on Instagram, and on Facebook — and consider making a financial gift. It will help support this important project and also help mitigate the damage done by the recent cyclone that hit the community. In the episode cover, that’s head distiller Fomesoa, and the other crew members are Samba, Tsimireke, …
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It's a Flight Night with 15 STARS and Rick & Ricky Johnson. We try four expressions -- Three Ports, Three Kings, Triple Cask II and Timeless Reserve -- and chat with them about getting creative with blending, working together as father/son, how they got into bourbon, what's next and more.
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Marissa is also a board member of Tequila That Cares, a philanthropic organization bringing positive change to the agave spirits industry! If you missed World Poetry Day, it’s not too late to celebrate. Click here for the archived celebration with Agave Road Trip Poet Laureate Larry Beckett and August Gladstone! Some numbers I culled from the DISCU…
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We've Got Questions: Vienna Barger & Southern Distilling
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21:48
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21:48We've Got Questions for Vienna Barger, co-founder of Southern Distilling Company in North Carolina, about what inspired her and her husband Peter to launch the distillery, how the industry has evolved since their start in 2013, why they’ve been at the forefront of changing North Carolina’s distilling laws, what’s next for them and so much more.…
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How do you differentiate different Tequilas?
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26:32
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26:32Shout outs this episode to Cambio Tequila and Puesto! And Howard Gardner’s “Theory of Multiple Intelligences”! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan, John Des Rosiers, Beau du Bois
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That one hit is from Australian Traveller: “30 of the best bars in Sydney right now.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan
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Puntas: Drop-dead delicious or just drop dead?
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26:50
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26:50This episode was inspired by a post that Mexican distiller Tomas Nava made in the Facebook group Mezcal Society. His post was inspired by the entry for “foreshots” at SpiritsBeacon.com. The response from Tom Bartram of Speciality Brands gave me the excuse to reconnect with Tom! Bonus! Tom’s puntas-filled annecdote! See Privacy Policy at https://art…
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Is Target a good date night spot? What about a Target gift card as part of a date night basket? Clearly Jonathan needs some help from Ya Boi Brandon. Plus, we review the Larrikin Decade Cognac Cask, Southern Star Honey Finish, & Penelope Havana
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Check out 30A Distilling Co. when you’re in Florida! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.By Lou Bank, Brian Rabon
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It's a Flight Night with J Mattingly 1845 Distillery and their president Harry Richart. We try four expressions -- Open Doors, Rye’lly Road, Classic and Single Barrel -- and chat with Harry about how he joined J Mattingly, moving to their new Frankfort (KY) location, the Mattingly's distilling history, launching the Classic and so much more.…
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First and foremost, when claims are made about expenses by USAID or any federal agency of the US government, you can research for yourself at usaspending.gov. This is a great tool that is as close to absolute transparency in government as the USA has ever had. In the (literal) days since I recorded this episode (February 17, 2025), President Trump …
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We've Got Questions: Hogshead & A New Way To Source Barrels
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42:56
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42:56We've Got Questions for Beau Beckman, co-founder of Hogshead. Beau talks about how Hogshead came to be, why there's a need for an online barrel marketplace, how Hogshead differs from others, what's next for them and more.
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What bourbon do you bring to the bottle share?
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6:19
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6:19We ask the question what bourbon do you bring to the bottle share? Plus, we review the 15 STARS Three Kings and Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend.
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In honor of the Super Bowl, we ask the question what bourbon do you bring to the tailgate? Plus, we review the Filmland Spirits Ryes of the Robots Extended Cut Rye Whiskey and Larrikin Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon.
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We ask the question what do you love about craft distillers and craft bourbon brands. Plus, we review the Woodinville 8YR Special Release and the 15 STARS First West Bourbon.
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What bourbon releases do you look forward to?
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8:25
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8:25We ask the question what bourbon releases you look forward to each year. Plus, we review the Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Mizunara and the Yellowstone 2024 Limited Edition Release finished in French Brandy + Cognac Casks.
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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! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.By Lou Bank, Linda Sullivan, John Des Rosiers
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