The Agave Social Club

What happens when you bring 13 members of The Agave Social Club to Mexico for an experience centered around tequila, culture, and the people behind the spirits we love? In this episode, I'm recapping our unforgettable trip to the Valley region of Jalisco, sharing some of the highlights, the experiences that stood out, and the moments that made this trip so much more than just a tequila tour.From exploring the region and experiencing tequila at its source to spending time with the people who make this industry so special, this trip was a reminder of why I started The Agave Social Club in the first place. The tequila is what brings us together, but the people, conversations, and friendships are what make these experiences truly meaningful.Join me as I look back on the trip, share some of my favorite memories, and talk about what makes experiencing tequila in Mexico so different from simply opening a bottle at home.Thank you to everyone who joined us, welcomed us, and helped make this experience what it was. ¡Salud!If you'd like to experience Mexico with The Agave Social Club, stay tuned for details on our upcoming trip in February. You can also reach out to us at [email protected] if interested in joining. 

What does it mean to carry a tequila legacy forward?In this episode of The Agave Social Club Podcast, I’m joined by Bryan Tillbury, Alex Orendain, and Eduardo Jr. Orendain of Tequila Arette for a conversation that goes far beyond what’s inside the bottle.Arette has a history deeply connected to the Orendain family and the tequila-making traditions of Tequila, Jalisco. We talk about where the brand came from, the meaning behind the name Arette, and what it means for the next generation of the family to carry that legacy forward.We also get into the tequila itself and take a closer look at both the Classico and Artesanal lines, including how they are produced and the differences between the two.But perhaps the biggest theme throughout this conversation is legacy—what has been passed down, what has changed, and what Alex and Eduardo Jr. hope to preserve for the generations that come next.This was a special conversation for me because I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the Orendain family in Jalisco and see firsthand the people, history, and passion behind Arette.There’s a lot more to tequila than what happens when you open the bottle.Sometimes, the best stories are about the people who have been making it for generations.Welcome to the story of Tequila Arette.

McCauley Williams is back on The Agave Social Club Podcast.Since his last visit, a lot has changed. In this conversation, we catch up on everything happening with Alma del Jaguar Tequila, including what’s next for the brand and the upcoming Barricas Series. We also dive into McCauley’s newest venture, Duck Club Bourbon, and what it takes to build a spirits brand from the ground up.But this conversation goes beyond what’s in the bottle.Both Alma del Jaguar and Duck Club are built around a larger purpose—using spirits as a vehicle to support conservation and give back to the lands and communities that make these brands possible.McCauley and I talk about the challenges of starting a brand, the realities of growing in an increasingly crowded spirits industry, why authenticity matters, and what it really takes to build something that can have an impact beyond the bottle.

Come live vicariously through me as I spend a week in Mexico working with Arette, spending time with friends, exploring some incredible distilleries, and continuing to show my wife just how special this place is to me.There was tequila, of course. A lot of it.  But there was so much more—old friends, new friends, great food, long days, unexpected adventures, and those moments that remind me why I keep coming back to Jalisco.This was one of those trips where the work never really felt like work, and I found myself incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience it all with the people I care about.So come along for the ride. 

In this episode of The Agave Social Club Podcast, I sit down with Javier Jimenez of Caballito Cerrero for a deep dive into one of the most fascinating family stories in the world of agave spirits.We explore the Jimenez family’s multigenerational legacy, the history of their original hacienda and distillery, and how that heritage continues to shape every bottle produced today. Javier shares stories passed down through the family, the evolution of their production methods, and why preserving traditional practices remains so important in an industry that is constantly changing. If you’re interested in the roots of authentic agave spirits and the people working to preserve them, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Looking to join the Agave Social Club Membership? Check out https://www.theagavesocialclub.com/store/p/the-agave-social-club-membership

This is the second interview I did with Tesoro Azul as I was with them for a few days spanning Michoacan to Jalisco. In this part 2 of the interview I sat down with Jose Monroy Garcia as he shares his passion for the brand and for all things Michoacan. 

In this episode of The Agave Social Club Podcast, I sit down with Alejandro Warren Patterson of Tesoro Azul to explore the story behind the brand's rebirth and the vision driving its future.After spending several days with the Tesoro Azul team in both Michoacán and Jalisco, I had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the people, places, and traditions that have shaped the brand. Our conversation covers the deep connection Tesoro Azul has to Michoacán, the role legendary artist Marco Antonio Solís has played in the brand's revival, and how those roots continue to influence its identity today.We also take a closer look at the tequila itself, discussing production at Productos Finos de Agave, the importance of Highland-grown agave, and the decisions that go into creating a tequila that honors both tradition and quality.Whether you're interested in the stories behind tequila brands, production methods, or the people bringing new energy to the category, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.Pour yourself a glass and join us for this conversation with Alejandro Warren Patterson.

In this special long-form conversation from The Agave Social Club, we sit down with David Rodríguez, master distiller of PATRÓN Tequila, alongside brand ambassador Roberto Núñez Moreno, to discuss the legacy of one of the world's most influential tequila brands.We explore David’s journey with PATRÓN, the craftsmanship and responsibility behind producing tequila at a global scale, and how the brand helped redefine premium tequila for modern consumers. Roberto shares insight into the culture of PATRÓN, its connection to the community, and the role education plays in today’s tequila landscape.The conversation also dives into the release of PATRÓN 100 — a 100% tahona-milled, 100 proof tequila that delivers the full character of the agave. Produced exclusively through the centuries-old tahona process, every drop is crushed by a volcanic stone wheel to unlock deeper, more complex flavor. To learn more about PATRÓN 100, be sure to check out https://www.patrontequila.com/

For this episode of The Agave Social Club, we sit down with legendary master distiller Julio Cova to discuss his incredible 40-year journey through the tequila industry, the evolution of modern tequila production, and what ultimately brought him out of retirement to partner with Dos Hombres Tequila.Julio shares stories from decades spent crafting tequila in Jalisco, the lessons he has learned through generations of agave cultivation and distillation, and why passion for the craft never truly leaves you. We also dive into the creation of the new Dos Hombres tequila lineup and how the partnership with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul came together through a shared respect for tradition, patience, and quality.Throughout the conversation, Julio opens up about the importance of agave maturity and fermentation, and why authenticity still matters in today’s tequila boom. If you’re passionate about tequila, agave spirits, and the people behind the bottle, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.To learn more about Dos Hombres Tequila, you can go to https://www.doshombres.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Allie Morris, Chief Marketing Officer of El Bandido Yankee Tequila—a brand that’s been making serious noise by blending authentic production methods with bold, modern storytelling.Allie takes us inside what it really means to build a tequila brand in today’s crowded market. From honoring traditional processes at a historic distillery to shaping a voice that resonates with a new generation of drinkers, she shares how El Bandido Yankee is carving out its identity without cutting corners.We also get into the realities of marketing tequila in 2026—what consumers care about, how transparency plays a role and some hints at what's next for the brand. Learn more about El Bandido Yankee Tequila at https://elbandidoyankee.com/ Follow The Agave Social Club for more conversations with the people shaping tequila @agavesocialclub