""We are living in a golden age of agave spirits. For every mass-market George Clooney tequila or Diageo-owned mezcal brand, there are artisan producers distilling micro-lots of extraordinary mezcal, tequila, and raicilla, plus assorted destilados de agave that do not comport to newly codified certification specs.""
""As relations between the US and its southern neighbor reach a modern political nadir, delving into the world of agave, especially while prioritizing small producers and traditional methods, carries with it a twinge of defiance.""
""Bartenders have embraced agave as a building block for their menus, many of which use cocktails to introduce spirits like mezcal to customers. 'We like to turn people on with cocktails first,' says Daniel Estrada.""
Agave spirits, including mezcal and tequila, have seen significant growth in the U.S., surpassing whiskey and vodka in sales. Artisan producers are thriving, creating unique micro-lots. The appreciation for these spirits is intertwined with the political climate, as anti-Mexican sentiment rises. Celebrating Mexican culture through agave spirits has become an act of defiance. Bars in Portland are increasingly focusing on agave, using cocktails to introduce these spirits to a broader audience, despite the challenges of celebrating this culture in the current political landscape.
Read at Portland Monthly
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