Luis Loya grew up on cattle ranch in Chihuahua Mexico. His rebellious nature, and gift for drawing transformed into an insatiable need to explore later in life. He is the purveyor of some of the finest distillates in the world, and more specifically Mexico, with his brand La Mata Spirits. With beautiful spirits from Durango, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, and more, Luis illuminates the undiscovered processes found in more distant areas of Mexico. The rare and coveted bottles contain some the most unique and compelling spirits found anywhere in the world. We talk about architecture, skateboarding, passion, and more.
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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 359 – Blair Ault: Full of Teachable Moments
Teacher, educator, whiskey ambassador, podcaster, and more… It makes one wonder what Milam and Greene’s Blair Ault does NOT do. Houston’s Blair Ault is a renaissance woman. She writes, teaches, hosts, and travels the United States extolling the virtues of Texas’ Milam and Greene whiskey. Blair is an erudite Star Trek fan that encourages creativity in others. With a massive lust for life, and passion for whiskey, what motivates Blair to keep expanding her knowledge? The answer is: a whole lot. We chat loud noises, audio challenges, writing from the heart, and more.
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Ep 356 – Nino Gandulla: The Eye of the Tiger
Ninotchka Gandula, or as she’s fondly known, Nino, is the national brand ambassador for Ojo de Tiger. The beautiful mezcal that mixes production from both Oaxaca and Puebla is yet another creation from the innovative team at Casa Lumbre. Nino grew up in Puerto Rico and remains one of the most respected voices in hospitality as she carries her Boricua love of others. She continues to earn and evolve as a leader and brand ambassador. As the rise of N/A spirits continues, Almave, the blue agave alternative, will bring new conversations and opportunities as Nino’s role expands. We talk about travel, boundaries, and calling it an early night.
