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An infamous meeting that started with a fumbled toast
SUSAN COSS
October 02, 2025
 | All the mezcal news you need to know |
A Toast That Went Awry?
There are pitches and then there are pitches. In this case, imagine receiving this:
“On December 4th, 1914, two of the greatest populist generals ever to grace the annals of Mexican history sat down to discuss a possible alliance to defeat the nominally revolutionary but ideologically conservative Constitutionalists. The alliance would be a true marriage of equals, one where strengths and weaknesses complement one another to perfection. Pancho Villa would helm the northern armies and manage the intricacies of diplomatic international relations that would have disoriented the less worldly Zapata, who meanwhile held the states of the south and could supply the agrarian ideology that Villa was far slower to develop. There was only one problem: Pancho Villa didn't drink, and the awkwardness between the two men upon meeting went unabated by the agave-soaked spree that might have been.”
How could I say no? Books, podcasts, movies and tv shows are filled with story lines that begin with “what if” and then a journey through an alternate universe. What resulted from that pitch from new contributor Holly Devon is a fascinating dive into a period of Mexican history that a vast majority of us outside of Mexico know nothing about. If we recognize that agave spirits are steeped in culture in history it is pretty incumbent on us to understand what some of that history might be. And for understanding modern Mexico, understanding the Mexican Revolution is pretty key. And understanding who Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata were is to understand just what was at stake for the outcome of the revolution.
Wondering if a moment in history could have gone differently (and what that could have meant) if only a kinship could have been formed over some drinks might seem silly. But I will say this, my own personal path in life was changed when I sat down at tables with people I was meeting in Mexico and we shared stories over mezcal.
In addition to Holly’s terrific piece, be sure to check out Tess Rose Lampert’s latest perfect pairing and our crash course guide on Mexican spirits. And finally, get your tickets for Mexico in a Bottle San Diego and San Francisco before they are all gone!
Saludos,
Susan and the Mezcalistas Team
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