Ismael Gomez, founder of Laika Spirits, has brought some of the rarest and delicious spirits into the States. From a love of Sotol with Flor Del Desierto, Cruz de Fuego Mezcal, or Tuxca with Balancan, his affinity for the esoteric and seemingly unattainable flavors allow us to taste them en masse. But what makes this expanding catalog of spirits function, how have things changed in shutdown, and will Ismael every stop and lounge on a beach someday? We chat, GDL, college, laws, and fear.
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Ep 302 – Cesar Sandoval: A Whole Elote Love
Casa Lumbre’s Cesar Sandoval has achieved a lot in a little time because of one key personality characteristic: transparency. Ask him whatever, he’s an open book of knowledge, compassion, and drum fills. His latest chapter with Abasolo Mexican Whiskey and Nixta Licor de Elote bring him into the fields of corn running throughout Mexico. With a little bit of shaking and a little bit of stirring, corn can change everything. We chat microphones, self reflection, and Cacahuazintle.
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Ep 300 – Jorge Gaviria: From the Land to the Lips
Jorge Gaviria has devoted years to understanding the culture, the people, and the logistics around corn production. The resulting project, Masienda, is now the industry leader in providing quality masa, heirloom corn, and tortilla cooking accessories. The journey to this amazing project is steeped in deep analysis, introspection, and travel. What started as a moment of translation, turned into a massive corn movement. We chat mezcal, NYU, civil unrest, and how we learn.
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Ep 287 – John Glaser: Guided by Myths and Legends
Without the efforts of Compass Box creator John Glaser, the world of Whisky wouldn’t be quite the same. A lover of literature and wine, John Glaser has challenged assertions about flavor and providence in Whisky. He’s continued to fight for transparency in the wake of much controversy. And now, with the latest release of Myth’s and Legends, he takes almost a textbook approach, but not exactly. We chat R.E.M., art, and influence.
