Jake Lustig joins me for one of the BEST agave spirit conversations I’ve ever had on Tasting Tequila with Brad. We dive deep into traditional mezcal production, Don Amado Mezcal, ArteNOM tequila, clay pot distillation, Oaxaca, fermentation with fibers, historic tequila production methods, and how mezcal went from being delivered in gas cans to becoming a global craft spirit movement.

Jake shares incredible stories about starting in Oaxaca in the late 80s, mapping distilleries, building Don Amado Mezcal, helping launch Espolòn Tequila, creating ArteNOM, and preserving traditional agave culture while still innovating production methods.

This interview covers:

If you love additive-free tequila, traditional mezcal, agave education, or hearing stories from the legends behind the industry, this interview is for you.

Let me know in the comments:
What’s YOUR favorite mezcal right now?

#Mezcal #JakeLustig #DonAmado #ArteNOM #Tequila #AgaveSpirits #Oaxaca #AdditiveFreeTequila #ClayPotDistillation #TastingTequilaWithBrad

Paladar Tequila Reposado is one of the most interesting additive-free tequilas I’ve tasted lately. Produced at the legendary El Llano Distillery NOM 1109 by Eduardo Orendain Jr., this reposado blends old-school tequila production with modern craftsmanship and experimental thinking.

In this review, I break down the production process, flavor profile, fermentation methods, aging, and why Paladar Reposado feels different from a lot of reposados on the market today. From open-air pine fermenters and wild yeast fermentation to volcanic soil-dipped bottles and balanced ex-bourbon barrel aging, this tequila has a ton of character.

I also recently interviewed Paladar co-founder Pete Nevenglosky, and after learning more about the philosophy behind the brand, this tequila makes even more sense in the glass.

If you enjoy additive-free tequila reviews, tequila education, NOM breakdowns, agave-forward profiles, and deep dives into production methods, make sure to subscribe to Tasting Tequila with Brad.

Tequila Details:
• Paladar Reposado
• NOM 1109 – El Llano Distillery
• Additive-Free
• Estate-Grown Blue Weber Agave
• Open-Air Pine Fermentation
• Wild & Proprietary Yeasts
• Aged in Ex-Bourbon Barrels

#Tequila #PaladarTequila #Reposado #AdditiveFreeTequila #TequilaReview #TequilaEducation #NOM1109 #Agave #TastingTequila

Does expensive tequila actually taste better?

In this blind tequila tasting, I put Clase Azul Añejo head-to-head against Siempre Añejo, La Pulga Añejo, and Zumbador Añejo using the Solo Blind tasting system. One bottle costs around $500… but did it actually win?

This tequila blind taste test focuses on:

Blind tastings remove the bottle hype and price tags so we can focus only on what matters:
the tequila in the glass.

If you love tequila reviews, additive-free tequila, tequila education, agave spirits, and honest blind tastings, make sure to subscribe to Tasting Tequila with Brad.

#ClaseAzul #Tequila #BlindTasting #AdditiveFreeTequila #AnejoTequila #TequilaReview #LuxuryTequila #SiempreTequila #LaPulga #Zumbador #TequilaCollector #AgaveSpirits #TastingTequilaWithBrad

Can you actually train your nose and palate to taste tequila better?

Welcome to Episode 1 of Training My Tequila Nose, a brand-new tequila education series where I use a professional sommelier aroma kit to improve aroma recognition and tasting ability while comparing real tequila profiles.

In this episode, I compare two very different blanco tequilas from two different regions of Jalisco:

Valor Blanco — Tequila Valley
La Pulga High Proof Blanco — Highlands

Using blind aroma training, we explore how Valley tequila and Highland tequila can express completely different tasting notes including citrus, black pepper, minerality, earthiness, cooked agave, and spice.

This series is all about tequila sensory training, blind tasting, palate development, aroma recognition, and becoming a better tequila taster together.

If you enjoy tequila reviews, additive-free tequila, high-proof tequila, agave spirits, bourbon tasting, whiskey tasting, and tequila education, this series is for you.

Subscribe for weekly tequila reviews, blind tastings, interviews, and tequila education videos.

#Tequila #BlindTasting #TequilaReview #AgaveSpirits #AdditiveFreeTequila #HighProofTequila #TequilaEducation

El Tesoro Blanco is one of the most respected additive-free tequilas in the world, and today I’m breaking down why so many tequila collectors keep this bottle on their shelf.

Produced at the legendary La Alteña Distillery (NOM 1139) by Master Distiller Carlos Camarena, El Tesoro Blanco uses traditional tequila-making methods including tahona stone wheel extraction, brick ovens, natural fermentation, and copper pot distillation.

After my recent Tapatío review, many of you requested this bottle next — and honestly, I understand why. El Tesoro Blanco represents everything many tequila lovers look for in authentic traditional tequila: cooked agave flavor, minerality, pepper, citrus, and incredible balance without additives.

In this review, I cover:
El Tesoro Blanco tasting notes
The history of El Tesoro Tequila
Carlos Camarena & La Alteña Distillery
Tahona production methods
Why collectors love this tequila
Additive-free traditional tequila

If you love tequila reviews, blind tastings, tequila education, and interviews with brand owners, make sure you subscribe to Tasting Tequila with Brad.

Let me know in the comments:
What tequila NEVER leaves your shelf?

#ElTesoro #TequilaReview #AdditiveFreeTequila #BlancoTequila #CarlosCamarena #Tahona #TequilaCollector #TraditionalTequila #Agave #TastingTequilaWithBrad

Tequila Red Bull combo review! Today on Tasting Tequila with Brad, I’m trying the NEW Red Bull Summer Edition Sudachi Lime with El Bandido Yankee Plata 47 — a high-proof additive-free tequila bottled at 47% ABV.

And honestly… this might be the BEST tequila and Red Bull combo I’ve tried yet.

El Bandido Yankee Plata 47 is crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave at El Viejito Distillery in Jalisco using additive-free production methods. The bright citrus notes from the new Sudachi Lime Red Bull pair surprisingly well with the bold agave, pepper, and minerality of this tequila.

I also recently interviewed James and former NFL player Jim Bob Morris from El Bandido Yankee, and after learning more about the brand, I knew this tequila would be perfect to test in a cocktail experiment like this.

Drink Name: The Sudachi Bandit

If you enjoy tequila reviews, tequila cocktails, additive-free tequila, high-proof tequila, agave spirits, Red Bull drinks, and tequila experiments, make sure to subscribe to Tasting Tequila with Brad.

#tequila #redbull #cocktails #agavespirits #additivefreetequila #tequilacocktail #highprooftequila #energydrink #mixology #tastingtequila

PM Spirits Destilado de Agave review! Today I’m tasting this still-strength Espadín agave spirit bottled at a massive 61.1% ABV from Oaxaca, Mexico. Produced by mezcalero Rene Parada Barriga and sourced through Jason Paul Cox of Cinco Sentidos, this uncertified agave distillate delivers huge flavor, smoke, tropical fruit, minerality, and intense traditional character.

This PM Spirits Project Destilado de Agave is made using traditional methods including underground earthen pit roasting, natural fermentation in pine vats, and copper pot distillation with zero dilution. Bottled at still strength, this limited batch agave spirit is one of the boldest bottles I’ve reviewed on the channel.

In this video I break down:
PM Spirits Destilado de Agave
Still strength agave spirits
Espadín agave production
Traditional Oaxaca production methods
Smoke, tropical fruit, minerality & tasting notes
⚡ 61.1% ABV full proof agave distillate
Uncertified mezcal-style agave spirits

Bottle Details:
• Producer: Rene Parada Barriga
• Region: Zimatlán de Álvarez, Oaxaca
• Agave: Espadín (Agave angustifolia)
• Fermentation: 14 days in pine vats
• Distillation: Copper pot stills
• ABV: 61.1%
• Yield: 563 liters

If you enjoy tequila reviews, mezcal reviews, additive-free agave spirits, high-proof tequila, and traditional production methods, make sure to subscribe to Tasting Tequila with Brad.

#AgaveSpirit #PMSpirits #DestiladoDeAgave #Mezcal #Espadin #Agave #TequilaReview #MezcalReview #StillStrength #Oaxaca #CincoSentidos #HighProofTequila #AgaveDistillate #TastingTequilaWithBrad

Tequila Providencia review, Mookie Betts tequila interview, additive-free tequila, celebrity tequila, NOM 1465 El Eden, reposado tequila, blanco tequila, premium tequila review.

What happens when a tequila brand decides NOT to become “just another celebrity tequila”?

In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I sit down with Rodd Rafieha and Mia McMurray from Tequila Providencia to talk about their tequila journey, additive-free production methods, choosing NOM 1465 El Eden Distillery, and why craftsmanship mattered more than celebrity marketing.

We also discuss:
Mookie Betts’ involvement in Tequila Providencia
Additive-free tequila
Highland agave and traditional production
Stone ovens, roller mill extraction, open-air fermentation, and resting the tequila before bottling
American oak Jack Daniel’s barrels for the reposado
The incredible agave piña-inspired bottle design
Building a tequila brand from scratch
The challenges of distribution and growing a tequila company

Tequila Providencia is produced at NOM 1465 El Eden, a family-owned distillery in the Highlands of Jalisco focused on consistency, craftsmanship, and quality tequila production.

If you enjoy tequila reviews, tequila interviews, additive-free tequila content, distillery stories, and agave education — this is for you.

Have you tried Tequila Providencia yet? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

#Tequila #TequilaProvidencia #CelebrityTequila #AdditiveFreeTequila #MookieBetts #TequilaReview #Agave #BlancoTequila #ReposadoTequila #TastingTequilaWithBrad

an a wine aroma kit actually make me better at tasting tequila? In this video, I test The Wine Savant Nosing Kit, a professional sommelier aroma training kit designed to improve aroma recognition and tasting ability. I’m starting a brand-new weekly series called Training My Tequila Nose to see if training your palate and nose can help identify more detailed tequila tasting notes like citrus, vanilla, black pepper, minerality, caramel, leather, cinnamon, cooked agave, and more.

Today I test myself completely blind using professional aroma samples and compare those aromas to real tequila tasting experiences. This series is all about improving tequila tasting skills, sensory training, aroma recognition, and learning how professional tasters develop their palate.

Whether you love additive-free tequila, high-proof tequila, bourbon, whiskey, wine, or coffee, this type of sensory training can completely change the way you experience flavor and aroma.

Subscribe for tequila reviews, blind tastings, interviews, educational videos, and agave spirits content.

#Tequila #WineSavant #TequilaReview #BlindTasting #TequilaEducation #AromaTraining #AgaveSpirits #Whiskey #Bourbon #Sommelier

El Mexicano Blanco 90 review! Today we’re reviewing the new high-proof blanco tequila from the ORIGINAL Cazadores family. Made at NOM 1588 in the Highlands of Jalisco, El Mexicano Blanco 90 delivers cooked agave, minerality, citrus, and bold traditional tequila flavor at 45% ABV. The Bañuelos family helped build the legendary Cazadores tequila brand decades ago before eventually selling it. Now, León Jr. and Willy Bañuelos are back with Tequila El Mexicano — a modern traditional tequila made with low-pressure autoclaves, open-air fermentation, deep well water, and stainless steel pot stills at Hacienda El Mexicano in Arandas, Jalisco. In this review we break down: Nose, palate, and finish The history behind the original Cazadores family Whether El Mexicano Blanco 90 is worth buying Production Details: • NOM 1588 – Tequilas El Mexicano • Highlands of Jalisco (Los Altos) • Low-pressure autoclave cooking • Roller mill extraction • Open-air fermentation • Stainless steel pot stills • 45% ABV / 90 Proof If you enjoy additive-free tequila reviews, tequila education, distillery deep dives, agave spirits, and honest tequila content, make sure to subscribe to Tasting Tequila with Brad. #ElMexicano #TequilaReview #BlancoTequila #HighProofTequila #AdditiveFreeTequila #Tequila #Cazadores #TequilaElMexicano #Agave #NOM1588 #TequilaTube #TastingTequilaWithBrad © Tasting Tequila with Brad