James Douglas III moved around a bit as a child. The new environments, new social circles have a massive impact on who you become. Now, after years of hospitality, James is adapting yet again as he takes on an incredibly visible role with Ilegal Mezcal in Texas. His love of movies, people, and helping others is on full display in his very podcast chat. We chat 70’s movies, close family, and finding out who you are when you’re the only one.
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Ep 362 – Jorge Caldera: Home Is Where The Sotol Is
Jorge Caldera has remained behind the scenes as Sotol has seen a rise in availability and prominence in the agave market. (although Sotol itself is not agave). Yet, his continued efforts in the market, previously with Clande Sotol, and now with astonishing spirits of Sotol Parejo, have largely gone unnoticed….until now. Jorge was born and raised in Chihuahua. His love and dedication to his state drove his curiosity to explore the world of Sotol and Lechuguilla. After a decision to leave finance, in favor of starting his own projects with his own partners, Jorge ventured into the world of Sotol. We chat failed rock star dreams, pivotal life moments, the…
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Ep 360 – Dani Taylan: A Symbol of Strength
Originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Houston’s Daniela Taylan is at the top of the brand ambassador game. Whether it’s serving mezcal at La Niña Blanca, sharing and educating for Tequila Fortaleza, or tapping into her botanical roots for Condesa Gin, Dani is truly working hard. She’s always happy to offer a pour, share her experiences, and dedicate time to the projects/people that matter. But how does an ex set designing Tennis champ seamlessly become one of the brightest minds in the hospitality industry? We chat horror movies, asking the right questions, work-life balance, and Fortaleza Winter Blend 2024.
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Ep 327 – Ansley Coale: The Long and Winding Road
The massive career of Ansley Coale can’t adequately be captured in a mere 60 minutes, but we try. Ansley created Hanger One vodka, Germain Robin Brandy, and all of the amazing brands found at Craft Distillers A once professor turned spirits producer, Ansley lives so much in the moment that sometimes the brilliant achievements behind him are just a flash of a memory. With his new project Communidad, he dives even further into the notion that Mezcal is closer to its producers and terroir than any other spirit in the world. At 80 years old, the hits aren’t stopping, and new projects are continually on the horizon. We chat 1950’s,…
