Can I get a raised hand from folks already feeling exhausted by 2025?

The other week I had the pleasure of publishing a breaking news story from Felisa Rogers. This was a story in development for a while, and was originally focused on agrarian rights and the story of agaveros struggling with the low price of agave. But the story developed into something more as agaveros made increasingly serious charges against the CRT that included agave price fixing, unfair practices and the big one, adulteration of tequila with cane distillates in greater excess than allowed for mixtos and the illegal use of it in 100% agave tequila.

This was a story originally meant for another publication, but at the last minute, they killed it. When Felisa approached me to see if I was interested in publishing it, I did not hesitate-- this is the beauty of being an independent publisher that is not reliant on advertising (events fund the website). We reworked the story and vetted it to make sure it was not libelous and then went for it, publishing a follow up as well. And I am not going to lie, it was thrilling breaking a story like this and scooping larger publications— remember where you read it first!

This is a story that has far reaching impact. Agave prices are the lowest they’ve been in a decade in Oaxaca and elsewhere. Agaveros everywhere are struggling and are looking to the government of Mexico to step in and help with some sort of price stabilization and support. And charges of the use of cane distillates in production are not limited to tequila. There will definitely be more coming!

What I don’t want to see get lost in all of the excitement is a terrific new piece from Omar Muñoz that looks at how the material of fermentation tanks influences the flavor of mezcal. You might remember the last piece he wrote for us about where flavors come from in fermentation, this piece is a continuation of that.

Also be sure to check out two new pieces from Tess, a look at some agave trends for 2025 (think China, destilados de agave and producer owned brands) and a perfect pairing, and a piece from me revisiting Sotol Hacienda de Chihuahua. And finally, don’t miss our Spotlight section from newsletter sponsor, the Agavos Awards.

Saludos,

Susan and the Mezcalistas team

MEZCAL NEWS

MEZCAL EVENTS

• February 8th, Bowl of ‘Zole, Boston

• February 9th, Women in Spirits Quarterly Meet up, Chicago

• March 20th, Bowl of ‘Zole, Denver

• March 24th, Mexico in a Bottle, Washington, DC

• SAVE THE DATE: April 10th-14th, Agave Heritage Festival, Tucson

• SAVE THE DATE: April 27th, Mexico in a Bottle, Chicago

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