Carlos Mendez Blas never planned to spend his life making mezcal. After leaving Oaxaca to pursue a career as a pilot, family circumstances brought him home, where he transformed a small family palenque into one of the industry’s most respected operations. We talk about leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the responsibility of carrying on a family legacy while staying true to yourself. It’s an honest conversation about purpose, growth, and why the most meaningful journeys are often the ones you never expected to take.
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Ep 382 – Alejandro Orendain: Arette Tequila, a Brand Above.
Alejandro Orendain understands numbers, travel, and agave. What started as a departure from the family business, quickly turned back into a return to the homeland. His roots in Tequila, and the inescapable pull back into the operations of Tequila Arette, bring us to his current chapter. A chapter during which, Alejandro educates many about the familial brand and ensures that his quality tequila can be easily available at everyone’s fingertips. We chat about drumming, bar anecdotes, and a whole new brand aesthetic.
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Ep 331 – Pedro Camarena: What’s In a Name?
Pedro Camarena comes from one of the most esteemed tequila making families in the world. His new brand Tequila Primo 1861, enters the picture after many years of other entrepreneurial ventures. With projects in tech, nature, and real estate, how did Pedro finally realize it was the right time to enter the world of Tequila? Having an inventive uncle and close ties to extended family was certainly part of the recipe. We chat nature, loss, and legacy.
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Ep 321 – Asis Cortes: If You Draw It, They Will Come
Asis Cortes has created some of the most influential brands in Mezcal including: Origen Raiz, El Jolgorio, Agave de Cortes, and most recently DIxeebe. His creative intuitions create beautiful flavors and aesthetics in his labels. At such a young age having accomplished so much, what is next for Asis? He balances tradition and push for new innovations, all the while staying deeply connected to his family. As the world of mezcal is constantly changing, Asis maintains integrity and inspiration. We chat Oaxaca, art, experiences, and social media.
