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Episodes
We talk with guests about Agave, Mezcal and Agave Spirits production, distribution, sustainability, culture, and more.
Episodes
Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
20 + Niki Nakazawa & Leonardo Comercio
Neta Spirits / PM Spirits
We have two guests with us for this installment of the pod. Niki Nakazawa co-founder of the Agave Spirits Brand NETA and Leonardo Comercio of PM Spirits, an importer and distributor of small-production distillates made by artisan distillers from around the world.
Niki has lived in Mexico for the past 12 ½ years and has been involved in several culinary and spirits driven projects. In this conversation, we learn how Niki fell in love with agave spirits early on in her life and how her friendship with Max Rosenstock led them to bring Neta to the US market.
We discuss how Max and Niki have built and developed their relationship with the cooperative of producers they work with called Grupo Productor Logoche from Logoche, in Lachigüizo which is a town outside of Miahautlan, Oaxaca. The group is composed of immediate and extended family who are mezcaleros and agave growers.
Leo tells how he was introduced to the brand and how PM came to import Neta, which is bottled as an agave spirit. We discuss PM Spirits' commitment to sourcing artisanal handcrafted spirits from around the world and their philosophy on how they build their portfolios.
Finally, we touched on the different expressions Neta offers and specific production practices that make these spirits very special indeed.
Check out the !Hey Hey! Agave page on our website to see pictures from our guests.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: @milagroverdebk
Editing: Brittany Prater
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
19 + Scott Rosenbaum
/ Spirits Portfolio: Taste, place and the market
Quarantine remote podcasting continues with our guest Scott Rosenbaum, Vice President of T. Edward Wine and Spirits. In addition to developing an exceptional spirits portfolio, he also teaches at the IWC and at NYU. If you’ve been listening for a while you might remember that T. Edward’s agave portfolio includes Lagrimas de Dolores and Cinco Sentidos. We have hosted podcasts with both brand owners: German Gutierrez Gamboa of Lagrimas and Jason Paul Cox of Cinco Sentidos.
The conversation we had with Scott provides context to how the role of importer and distributor functions between the brand and the market and ultimately how they cultivate that relationship.
It also offers aspiring spirits specialists an opportunity to learn about how Scott got started in his career and the paths he took, including weathering the 2008 financial crisis.
We made our first attempt to discuss terroir in agave spirits, a subject we hope to explore more in future episodes. The concept of terroir is fantastically complicated and imperfect when compared with wine, however, it does allow for a structure with which to talk about the different elements that make each spirit special and unique to the place the plants were grown and where the spirit was made.
Check out T. Edward's live morning show on IG! They feature producers from around the world. You get an up-close tour of their vineyards, distilleries and best of all you get to hear directly from them:)
Stay Positive and Sip Mezcal!
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Editing: Brittany Prater
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Monday Apr 06, 2020
Monday Apr 06, 2020
18 + Ferron Salniker
/ Mezcal Community Update
Welcome to our very first remote recording! Joining us is Ferron Salniker, a freelance journalist and events manager for Mezcalistas. We thought it would be good to check in with Ferron and see how the industry is adapting to this new #stayhome quarantine world. We discuss the current state of the pandemic in LA and NY including the repercussions we are seeing in the industry so far. Ferron shares information about Mezcalistas' new virtual programming called Conversations in Agave. We also took the opportunity to discuss her recent article for Life and Thyme about the Vieyra family who produces mezcal under their brand, Don Mateo, in Michoacan.
We are using this episode's webpage as a resource database with links to different organizations that can help people in need - everyone from service and hospitality workers as well as our undocumented friends. Please feel free to email us with other resources you think would be helpful. We will update it regularly.
Stay Safe and Healthy Everyone!
Check out the !Hey Hey! Agave page on our website to see pictures from our guests.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Sound Editor: Brittany Prater
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
17 + Elisandro Gonzalez Molina
/ Tosba Mezcal + PART TWO
In PART TWO, we discuss the traditional use of mezcal within Zapotec communities vs. the roll of mezcal in the international market. Elisandro explains some of the experiences he and Edgar have had within their community and how they are implementing initiatives to help support and sustain the community and the environment. Part of this collaboration is called GOZONA which is a native word used to describe how community members come together to help one another.
We taste Tosba’s latest Cenizo Agave expression (so exciting!) and Elisandro introduces us to their latest project DAKABEND, a Rum Agricole that hit the market last year.
ASK ELISANDRO ANYTHING!
Ask a question to Elisandro by emailing us or sending a DM. We will record a question and answer pod with him:) This is a great opportunity to follow up on the things we discussed and ask questions about topics we didn’t cover! Everything is on the table, so dig in!
Check out the !Hey Hey! Agave page on our website to see pictures from our guests.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Editor: Brittany Prater
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Monday Mar 09, 2020
17 + Elisandro Gonzalez Molina
/ Tosba Mezcal + PART ONE
This is PART ONE of a two-part series. We speak with Elisandro Gonzalez Molina, who along with his cousin Edgar Gonzalez Ramirez, are the producer-owners of Tosba Mezcal.
PART ONE focusses on Elisandro and Edgar’s early life. He explains his experience growing up in the Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca in a town called San Cristobal Lachirioag which is a Zapotec community.
We discuss how he and Edgar decided to plant agaves before building their palenque, while they were both living and working in California. Elisandro takes us through the early days when they were first learning how to make mezcal, including how they built their palenque using an old roof from the local Mercado. Elisandro gives us his perspective on the reality of mezcaleros today and he shares the difficulties he and Edgar faced when certifying their destilados de agave.
We end the conversation with Elisandro explaining Edgar's production style and we review the expressions they currently offer in the US market.
Check out the !Hey Hey! Agave page on our website to see pictures from our guests.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Editor: Brittany Prater
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Monday Jan 20, 2020
16 + Jason Paul Cox
/ Cinco Sentidos
In this episode, we talk with Jason Paul Cox. Jason is the owner of Cinco Sentidos, a small batch agave spirits brand specializing in artisanal and ancestral single expression mezcals. Cinco Sentidos tends to be a sought-after brand due to the limited number of expressions that make it to a few lucky US States.
Jason explains the brands' origin and development alongside El Destilado his farm-to-table restaurant with partner Joseph Gilbert in Oaxaca City. We discuss some of the expressions that are available in the US, including the Papalome produced by Amando Alvarez in Santa Maria Ixcatlan.
We talk about a 20-day agave roast, raw-hide fermentation and what makes Delfino Tobón Mejia’s lenteja still unique. Look out for the new La Coleccion Mixteca, a series of agave spirits from the Mixteca region which includes areas in Oaxaca, Puebla, and Guerrero (so far this collection includes expressions from Puebla and Oaxaca).
Jason also introduced us to his newest project, an agricole-style rum, or aguardiente de caña. Cañada is produced by the Krassel family in the region of Oaxaca known as the cloud forest.Read more about Jason and Cinco Sentidos here:
T Edward Wine and Spirits / Cinco Sentidos
K&L Spirits Journal / What's in a name?
Check out the !Hey Hey! Agave page on our website to see pictures from our guests.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Monday Nov 11, 2019
Monday Nov 11, 2019
15 + Dalton Kreiss & Hanna Woodside
/ Maguey Melate
In this episode, we talk with the founders and owners of Maguey Melate, a subscription-based agave spirits club. Dalton and Hanna explain how and why they decided to create a bi-monthly subscription model. We discuss what it’s like to build a business from scratch and how the creation of the signature box developed over time.
They also spoke in detail about their motivation behind highlighting the Mezcalero in such a prominent way, how they utilize video and social media to educate their customers and why they believe transparency matters. If you want to learn why these guys choose to bottle as Agave Spirits instead of Mezcal this is a must-listen.
Dalton and Hanna live in Oaxaca and we talked about what it has been like integrating into the community, the importance of building trust with their producers and how they had help from amazing friends and colleagues.
Check out the !Hey Hey! Agave page on our website to see pictures from our guests.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Friday Oct 11, 2019
Friday Oct 11, 2019
14 + Field Notes / Michoacán
We are excited to announce that this episode is the first in an ongoing series we are calling Field Notes. These are conversations we have with friends and colleagues who have recently returned from trips to Mexico researching Mezcal and agave distillate production.
Today's edition features Michoacán. Our guest is Tess Rose Lampert who traveled to Michoacán with Ferron Salniker. Tess and Ferron were researching producers and planning the itinerary for some upcoming tours that Mezcalistas will be offering to both the TRADE and Consumers.
We talk Cupreata Agaves, production styles and particular traditions that surround the spirit. Tess also explained what it's like to travel to vinatas using the Ruta de Mezcal, a series of signage used to help travelers connect with local producers.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Editor: Brittany Prater
Sunday Sep 15, 2019
Sunday Sep 15, 2019
13 + German Guttierez / Lágrimas de Dolores
/ we want to represent everything that Durango is
German Gutiérrez Gamboa joins us, who along with his family, owns and operates Hacienda Lagrimas de Dolores in Durango, Mexico. They bottle their mezcals under the name Lagrimas de Dolores. In addition to producing their own expressions, Lagrimas de Dolores also partner with vinateros in the region to offer a variety of expressions.
This was our first conversation with a producer from Durango and we learned so much from German. He explained the history of mezcal production in Durango and described specific elements of the process that define the “Durango style”. We discussed the Cenizo agave at length and several other endemic varieties. German described the sport of Charreria, the traditional practice of horsemanship, that is a big part of his family history as well as the history of Durango.
Tess Rose Lampert, who helped to organize this podcast, also joined us for this in-depth conversation.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Editor: Brittany Prater
Sunday Aug 25, 2019
Sunday Aug 25, 2019
12 + Ferron Salniker / Women in Mezcal
/ it’s about origins not trends
This episode focuses on women in mezcal. Ferron Salniker joins us to share her experiences traveling in Mexico and researching women in the industry. Ferron tells each producer’s story; how they came to mezcal, the obstacles they face and what their goals are for the future of their business. These women come from very different socio-economic backgrounds, and each has their own reasons as to how and why they choose to produce agave spirits.
This is a topic we will continue discussing on the podcast. We are asking our listeners to share the names of women mezcaleras, vinateras and their brands that we did not mention in this episode. You can post in the comments section or email us at hola@tuyo.nyc.
Ferron is a journalist who writes about the intersection of food and culture. She has been published widely in print magazines, newspapers and online media publications. She is the event manager and coordinator for Mezcalistas the online publication that is a great resource for thoughtful reporting on the mezcal industry; they organize Mezcal Week and host the infamous Mexico in a Bottle events around the country. Ferron also hosts a wonderful blog Ferronlandia that I encourage you all to visit, especially before traveling to Mexico! Here are just a few of Ferron’s published articles we recommend:
Are women behind the rising mezcal wave in Durango?
Journey to the Sierra Mixe with Cuish
¡Hey Hey! Agave is dedicated to all things agave. Join us for conversations with industry experts, enthusiasts, producers and educators as we discuss the fascinating world of agave spirits.
¡Hey Hey! Agave is a podcast from TUYO NYC
Music: Milagro Verde
Production: Sabrina Lessard and Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta
Editor: Brittany Prater