Cocktails and Spirits

Alfonso and Erik talk to Christiane Maertens Founder & CEO of Valor Tequila. Christiane shares the story behind Valor Tequila. She goes into depth on how it all got started and what the vision for the brand is. The ultimate goal is to giveback to the community behind the tequila industry. It all starts with the farmers, jornaleros, and the distillery workers. Many times they are overlooked and see no benefits from their hard labor. Valor is here to make their voice matter give back to them. Christiane shares how they will do that here. https://drinkvalor.com/ https://shop.drinkvalor.com/?_gl=1*1voexfo*_gcl_au*MTc2NTcwNDQzMi4xNjk3NDE4NDcx*_ga*MjEwMDkxMzEyMi4xNjk3NDE4NDcy*_ga_TF5R9PSNMX*MTY5NzQxODQ3MS4xLjAuMTY5NzQxODQ3MS42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.230988315.581565358.1697418472-2100913122.1697418472 https://www.instagram.com/drinkvalor/  https://www.instagram.com/cmglobebounces/

Valor

On today's episode Alfonso and Erik are joined by Brian Klemm Global Brand Ambassador for SelvaRey Rum. Brian shares with us the history behind SelvaRey. He goes in depth into how the expressions are made and what makes them unique in comparison to other rums out on the market. We also get to hear  bit of the history behind their Master Distiller Francisco "Don Pancho" Fernandez who played a huge role in Cuba's history with Rum.  https://selvarey.com/ https://www.instagram.com/selvareyrum/ https://www.instagram.com/brianklemm/

On this episode Alfonso and Erik are joined by Salvador "Chava" Rosales Trejo Master Diller for Cascahuín. Chava shares the story of how it all got started for Tequila Cascahuín. Cascahuín is held in such a high regard thanks to the amazing work from their team. Their lineup includes house brand Cascahuín, Wild Common, Siembra Valles, Legado, Lagrimas Del Valle, Montagave and ArteNom 1123. Thanks to their numerous amount of variations in their shredding and fermenting methods they can accomplish many different flavor profiles for each brand. Cascahuín is one of the best brands out there. https://www.tequilacascahuin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cascahuin/ https://www.instagram.com/chavasr/

On todays episode we are joined and join Rich Shane from The Fermented Adventure Podcast. Rich and his wife Dawn Ranieri have become huge enthusiasts of spirits, beer, wine, ciders, anything that is fermented. Rich and Shane like to visit craft distilleries and talk to other industry professionals and share what they learn on their podcast The Fermented Adventure Podcast.  Alfonso met Rich and Dawn at Tales of The Cocktail and instantly knew they had to collaborate in an episode. We decided a mashup was in order were both of our listeners can learn a bit from each. http://fermentedadventure.com/ https://www.instagram.com/fermentedadventure/

On this episode Alfonso meets with Mike Winters founder of Quintaliza Tequila. Quintaliza Tequila is  made with 100% organic agave, additive-free with coffee notes. Quintaliza’s Master Distiller is Iliana Partida, a fourth-generation maestra tequilera with deep knowledge of traditional methods and the boldness to break the mold. That’s what Quintaliza Tequila is all about. Mike shares what it was like to bring Quintaliza to life.  https://quintalizatequila.com/ https://www.instagram.com/quintalizatequila/

On this episode Alfonso and Erik talk to Pete Nevenglosky CEO and Co-Founder of Drifter Spirits. Pete goes over the unique lineup that Drifter Spirits presents. Including Avuá Cachaça, Svöl Aquavit, Drifter Craft Cocktails and Paladar Tequila. Pete also shares about Rare Character Whiskey which is another company he is a partner with. https://www.drifterspirits.com/home https://www.instagram.com/peteofdiscovery/ https://www.rarecharacterwhiskey.com/

Alfonso is joined by Master Distiller Tony Salles for El Tequileño Tequila.  “Mexico’s Best Kept Secret,” El Tequileño is an iconic tequila producer that singularly focuses on craft and quality. El Tequileño was founded in 1959 by the legendary tequila industry pioneer, Don Jorge Salles Cuervo. Overseen by third-generation master distiller Jorge Antonio Salles, the family’s legacy and expertise has been passed through generations to ensure only the finest quality tequila is produced to this day; every drop is a celebration of passion and heritage.  The brand’s portfolio includes Blanco, Reposado, Platinum, Reposado Gran Reserva, Añejo Gran Reserva, Cristalino, The Sassenach Select and the world’s first Reposado Rare.  https://www.tequileno.com/ https://www.instagram.com/el_tequileno/

Matt Pietrek is an award-winding author, educator, historian, consultant, and publisher focusing on rum and cocktails. His insights are sought out by many of the world’s top rum brands. Along with co-author Carrie Smith, Matt wrote Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region’s Essential Spirit, and winner of the 2023 Spirited Award for Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits. Matt is among today’s top educators on rum, presenting at Tales of the Cocktail, Bar Convent Berlin, Bar Convent Brooklyn, the UK Rumfest, Paris Rumfest, Miami Rum Congress, California Rumfest, Arizona Tiki Oasis, and The Hukilau. https://www.rumwonk.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rumwonk/ https://www.instagram.com/cocktailwonk/

On this episode Alfonso and Erik talk to Salvador founder of Salvadores Mezcal. Sal takes us through the journey of how Salvadores Mezcal was founded. Sal shares how the goal was to to revive a family tradition that began with his great grandfather and grandfather. Sal also shares how some of their delicious destilados have come about. Sal, Flor and the team are doing an outstanding job with producing some amazing Mezcal. https://www.salvadoresmezcal.com/home/ https://www.instagram.com/salvadoresmezcal/

Alfonso Recaps the trip to New Orleans and his first experience at Tales of the Cocktail. Interacting with brand owners and ambassadors was a unique experience. Along with partying and raging with fellow bartenders in the industry. https://talesofthecocktail.org/

On todays episode Alfonso talks to Alejandro Russo the Founder of Candela Mamajuana. A premium spiced rum out of the Dominican Republic.  Candela is an ultra premium, delicious, super ecofriendly and easily accessible rum. From cocktail recipes to sipping it neat, Candela’s mission is to toast to Latin culture with every sip, mix and shot–promise we’ll bring the fuego.  https://drinkcandela.com/ https://instagram.com/drinkcandela?igshid=YzcxN2Q2NzY0OA==

We have hit our 50th episode! Alfonso and Erik are extremely grateful and happy to everyone who has listened and enjoyed the podcast. Thank you all!! https://www.instagram.com/a.pour.with.erik/ https://www.instagram.com/drinks.with.fonz/ https://www.instagram.com/agavethreadsco/ https://agavethreadsco.com/

On this episode Alfonso and Erik are joined by Brandon Cummins Director of Education for Altamar Brands; distributor of Lágrimas Del Valle tequila. Brandon shares how the concept of Lágrimas Del Valle began along with the story of how they landed at NOM 1123. The partnership with NOM 1123 has been a huge part of their success and vision of creating a tequila that focuses on terroir. https://www.instagram.com/lagrimastequila/ https://altamarbrands.com/brands/lagrimastequila/ https://www.instagram.com/brandon.altamar/

On this episode Alfonso and Erik are joined by Brian Merardo Trevizo Yee and Ana Victoria Ruiz co-founders of Don Vicente Tequila. Brian and Ana share how Don Vicente tequila was founded and how they landed at NOM1579. Brian and Ana share how they were first introduced to additive free tequila on their search for a distillery to work with. Don Vicente has won numerous amount at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Don Vicente tequila is a work of art. https://www.donvicentepremiumtequila.com/ https://www.donvicentepremiumtequila.com/

Alfonso and Erik are joined by Antonio Avendaño and Yahir Garcia from Tepanal Agave Spirits. Antonio and Yahir share how and where it all began for Tepanal. They get into detail on some of their production, agaves, and future products. Tepanal Agave Spirit is new on the market and has been received incredibly well by the agave community.  https://gomadreshop.com/search?type=product%252Carticle&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=Tepanal%2A# https://www.instagram.com/tepanal.ancestral/ https://www.instagram.com/aaavendano/ https://www.instagram.com/yahirgarci4/

On this episode Alfonso and Erik are joined by Stacey Smith - Clark President of Women Who Whiskey LBC. Stacey shares who she began her whiskey journey and how it led to establishing a whiskey club in Long Beach. Stacey also shares how the club barrel picks have gone down and some of the upcoming events Women Whk Whiskey have coming up.  https://www.instagram.com/womenwhowhiskeylbc/ https://www.womenwhowhiskey.club/longbeach https://www.womenwhowhiskey.club/

On this episode Alfonso and Erik are joined by Arturo silva from Casa Tarasco Spirits to talk about Uruapan Charanda. Arturo talks to us about Charanda and the denomination of origin exclusive to Michoacán. Arturo goes over the process of making Charanda, the terrain in the area and why it play such a huge role in the final spirit. Arturo also shares a bit about the cocktails they are doing at La Charandaría. Overall an amazing episode with Arturo with a ton of amazing education on the spirit of Charanda. https://www.instagram.com/pecha1/ https://www.instagram.com/casatarascospirits/ https://www.instagram.com/lacharanderia/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IU8ALZ_QJo

On this episode Alfonso and Erik are joined by Jay Baer Tequila Teacher. Jay shares how his journey with tequila began. He talks about how he decided to create content on tequila due to some extra time he had on his hands. Little did he know it would become a huge success in just 1 year. Jay is know one of the best Tequila content creators on instagram. Sharing reviews with his co host Maddie has been a huge hit. One of the things that sets Jay apart is his balance in sharing traditional tequila, celebrity tequila and non traditional tequila. He is educating what is available for all.  https://linktr.ee/tequilajay https://www.instagram.com/tequilajaybaer/

Alfonso and Erik are joined by Alexander Lopez Wine Educator. Alex takes us through a Wine 101. Wine is a very  broad topic and on this episode Alex breaks it down for us in a friendly  beginner manner. Going through some of the things to look for in a label or how every region can have many different laws within its governing body.  https://instagram.com/drinkswithalexlopez?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==