The Nectar Corridor Whetstone Radio

In this episode, we speak with Cynthia Villalobos from Aventureros del Mezcal and Jesús Espina Ortiz from Archivo Maguey about their efforts to shine a spotlight on mezcal and the folks that make it.Cynthia provides financial, educational and technical support in order to elevate independent mezcalero brands. And Jesús offers unique mezcal tastings using his knowledge and passion for design.Learn more about this episode of The Nectar Corridor at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.whetstonemagazine.com/nc-eng10-transcript
Topics covered in the episode:

Min 1:05: Meet Cynthia Villalobos
MIn 2:17: Mezcal production costing
Min 3:35: The “tequio” (community work)
Min 4:19: Challenges for mezcal producers
Min 6:25: Aventureros del Mezcal Association (Mezcal Adventurers Association)
Min 8:12: Reforestation and conservation of magueys
Min 9:19: What is called fair payment/price
Min 9:58: The maguey cost table from CRM (Mezcal Regulatory Council)
Min 10:48: Vinasse (waste) treatment and impact mitigation
Min 12:38: Quemical parameters for selling mezcal
Min 18:39: Meet Jesus Espina Ortiz
Min 21:41: Application of design principles to mezcal
Min 24:46: Festivals and brands in the early 2000s
Min 28:05: Methodology to analyze mezcal sensorially
Min 29:32: Teachers who inspired the methodology
Min 31:00 Key moments in the discovery of the methodology

In this episode we talk with Raúl Guerrero about pulque, a maguey-based fermented drink that has its origins in pre-Hispanic times and has been consumed for more than 2,000 years.Raúl is a cultural manager and researcher of pulque from the State of Hidalgo. Pulque comes from native Mexico, traversing many of the territory's historical periods, and in some ways, precedes mezcal as its older sibling.Learn more about this episode of The Nectar Corridor at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.whetstonemagazine.com/nc-eng9-transcript

This episode we take a spiritual journey through the rituals that accompany mezcal. Niki meets with Mar de Cortés and Asís Cortés in their space called "Espiritus Mágicos" and together they examine mezcal culture from a different perspective.The traditions of the peoples, families and origins of mezcal remain in those who care about creating a connection through rituals, extending respect for the culture and mezcal production through generations.Learn more about this episode of The Nectar Corridor at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.

Read the full transcript: https://www.whetstonemagazine.com/nc-eng-8-transcript

Topics covered in this episode:


Min 0:45: Mar and Asis credits
Min 0:58: Welcome to "Espíritus Máxicos"
Min 2:10: Meet Asis Cortés
Min 4:28: Meaning of "dixeebe"
Min 6:29: History of the Cortés family
Min 8:24: Mezcal in Matatlán in the end of the 80s and during the 90s
Min 10:08: Challenges and new era of valorization of mezcal
Min 13:54: Meet Mar de Cortés
Min 16:53: Mezcal rituals of Zapotec tradition
Min 18:51: Respect to mezcal and its legacy
Min 20:15: The Mezcal Altar
Min 22:01: Mezcal like a soul without a body
Min 22:30: Prayer and toast with mezcal

In this episode we explore two maps: one on the diversity of magueyes and mezcal traditions throughout Mexico (created, among others, by Jorge Larson) and the other on the productive regions of Oaxaca and their local magueyes (created by Rion Toal).Both perspectives help us develop a better understanding of the great wealth of mezcal magueyes, landscapes, and traditions in Oaxaca and the rest of the country.We invite you to follow along with the maps to better understand the conversations.Jorge Larson's map: www.bit.ly/larsonmapThe Rion Toal Map: www.bit.ly/rionmapLearn more about this episode of The Nectar Corridor at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.

Topics covered in this episode:

Min 1:28: Meet Jorge Larson Guerra
MIn 2:13: Diversity of biological resources
Min 2:58: Research made for the map Mezcales and Diversity
Min 3:30: Importance of Illustration and purpose of the map “Mezcales and diversity”
Min 4:14: How the map “Mezcales and Diversity” was distributed
Min 5:19: Mezcal: Denomination of Origin
Min 6:19: Challenges and tools for independent mezcal producers
Min 10:19: Networks of mezcal producers, researchers and government officials
Min 11:55: Meet Rion Toal
Min 12:52: Rion´s involvement in mezcal
Min 14:19: Creation of the Association “Maestros del Mezcal”
Min 16:07: Categories in the map of Mezcal producing regions of Oaxaca
Min 16:54: Mezcal producing regions of Oaxaca: a tour of the map
Min 28:36: Importance of research and information about producing regions

In this new episode, we cover the history of mezcal from the mid-1900s to the present day. We speak with Félix Monterrosa, creator of the mezcalería "Cuish". Félix retells anecdotes of more than half a century of a family dedicated to mezcal.The conversation touches on historical issues related to conflicts between mezcal producers/marketers and authorities. Niki and Félix dicuss the long history of prohibition, corruption and high taxes. Faced with these phenomena, there were different unions between the mezcal workers who raised their voices to mitigate the persecution.Learn more about this episode of The Nectar Corridor at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.

In this episode, we discuss regulation and current state of mezcal production, particularly in northern Mexico.We speak with Luis Loya, founder of Nación de las Verdes Matas, where he sells traditional spirits from Sonora, Nuevo León, Durango and Tamaulipas.We also speak with Diego Mayagoitia, a first-generation mezcal producer who lives in the state of Durango. Diego tells us about the importance of community organization in the face of the growing exploitation of wild agave for the production of mezcal.Learn more about this episode of The Nectar Corridor at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.