🔥 SPIRIT 101: MEZCAL Mezcal is the parent category that tequila belongs to — and it is infinitely more complex. While tequila is made from one agave variety in a handful of states, mezcal can be made from over 30 varieties of agave across nine Mexican states. It is one of the most terroir-driven spirits in the world. Tequila vs. Mezcal — The Key Differences All tequila is mezcal — but not all mezcal is tequila. Tequila can only use Blue Weber Agave. Mezcal uses dozens of aga

🌵 SPIRIT 101: TEQUILA Tequila is one of the most misunderstood spirits in the world. Most people's first experience with it was a bad one — cheap, harsh, the kind that burns and leaves regret. But quality tequila is something else entirely. This guide breaks it all down. What Makes It Tequila? True tequila must be made from 100% Blue Weber Agave in one of five designated Mexican states — primarily Jalisco. The agave plant takes 7-10 years to mature before it can be harvested

LALO Tequila was one of the first bottles Crystal and Roger ever reviewed on The Liquor Connoisseur — and it's the one that set the standard. Named after the founder's grandfather Eduardo "Lalo" Gonzalez, LALO Blanco is a 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila with zero additives. It's made at one of Mexico's most storied distilleries (NOM 1146), home to the legendary El Tesoro brand. Bright agave, citrus, and white pepper on the palate with a clean, lingering finish. This is tequila

Tequila Tromba is on a mission to make great tequila and heal the planet at the same time. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger sit down with Katy O'Donnell, VP of Brand Development at Tromba, to taste through an incredible lineup including the massive 3.75-liter "Big Tromba" Blanco, the exclusive 48% ABV "Beast Mode" Reposado created with Marshawn Lynch, the elegant Tromba Añejo, and Cafeto — a revolutionary cold-extracted Mexican coffee liqueur. Beyo

Anteel Tequila is a unique expression built for the modern spirit drinker who wants quality, transparency, and something a little different. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Anteel and break down how this tequila is made, what makes it stand out in a crowded category, and whether the price point justifies the purchase. From the production process to tasting notes, they walk through everything you need to know before you add Anteel to your ca

All tequila is mezcal — but not all mezcal is tequila. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger unpack that fundamental truth as they review Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, one of the most respected expressions in the category. Del Maguey pioneered the single-village mezcal movement and Vida is their flagship — an Espadin mezcal made in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca using traditional wood-fired pits and clay pots. The result is a beautifully smoky, complex spirit with

Una Familia Tequila is everything the modern tequila movement stands for: no additives, no celebrity ownership, no shortcuts. Just great agave spirit made with intention. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger take flight — reviewing the full line of Una Familia, from blanco through añejo. Each expression showcases the pure, unmanipulated character of 100% Blue Weber Agave from the Jalisco Highlands. The blanco is bright and herbaceous, the reposado deve

Please welcome the first guest to ever sit across from The Liquor Connoisseur: DJ Maverick of the Maverick Podcast! In this special crossover episode, Crystal and Roger turn the tables and hand the interview over to DJ Maverick as the conversation flows between music, spirits, and what both mean to each of them personally. The crew sips through some of their most memorable tequilas while discussing how notes — whether musical or on a tasting card — shape the way we experience

Don't judge a spirit by its label — or its color. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review LaGritona Reposado Tequila, an all-women tequila brand making a statement in a male-dominated industry. LaGritona is a lightly colored reposado aged for 8 months, which gives it a delicate golden hue and a flavor profile that bridges the brightness of a blanco with the subtle complexity of a longer-aged expression. From the agave forward notes to the soft oak