The Drink

Tequilaaz! presents a tasting of premium Mexican spirits distilled from the agave plant, including-

One artistic and cultural manifestation of the European migration to the New World was the alchemical science of distillation, first learned from the Moors by the monastic Roman Catholic Spaniards. The colonizing Castilians made an “agave wine” from pulque, a fermented agave drink highly-prized by Mesoamericans like the Aztecs, Olmecs, and Mayans. This agave distillate evolved into the many regional mescals that cover the breadth of Mexico from Sotol in Chihuahua to Tequila in Guadalajara. Arizona is a natural place to celebrate the diversity and traditional flavors of this celebratory and simple spirit.

The primary foodstuff of the Hohokam to the Piman-speaking Tohono O'odham, and other native peoples that frequented the Desert Southwest of the United States and Northern Mexico, agave was considered a delicious sweet-treat to the region's early inhabitants. This genus of family Agavaceae was a fully appreciated major life-giving supplement. The indigenous peoples respected the agave as the great pollinator for bats, bees, and hummingbirds, while the modern agave has become an ornamental plant for migrating “snowbirds” from northern climes.

Learn more about the essence of agave at the first comprehensive tequila tasting in Arizona-Tequillaz!

Tequilaaz! features music by Tato Caraveo's Grupo Nuevo Latino and Country by Nick Nicholson, the Margarita Showdown bartenders competition, and seminars on agave culture.

4:30 pm

Don Julio's Tequila Ambassador - Luke Cory - will be hosting a private Tequila Seminar at Tequilaaz. The hour long seminar will dive on the history, background and Tequila making process of Mexico's Ultra Premium Tequila - Don Julio. Part of the seminar will include a exquisite tasting of Don Julio's Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and the special Anejo Don Julio 1942. Space is limited and reservations are required to attend.

6:00 pm

Please come join me Gaston Martinez, Brand Ambassador of Milagro tequila as I guide you through a encapsulating journey through the magical world of tequila and fresh Mixology. I will be unraveling the secrets that this wonderfully crafted Mexican spirit hides as well as sharing the secrets of the culture behind it. Once we get through the understanding of the spirit, I will be sharing the different ways there is to mix it in cocktails. I will be emphasizing in fresh mixology with a culinary twist. Let’s have fun bringing the kitchen into the bar.
I promise you a fun and enlightening time. Salud!!!

7:00 pm

At our mezcal seminar Ron Cooper, Founder, lets you in on the secrets of Del Maguey, Single Village Mezcals™, alive in the mythical past, retain the mysteries and embrace the notion of alcohol as a gift from the gods. These Mezcals are the True Heritage Mother of all Mezcals and Tequilas. Produced 100% the 400-year-old organic, unblended, handcrafted way; from the heart of maguey and soul of the village in the lush, remote mountains, plains and valleys of Oaxaca (wa-ha-ka), Mexico.

Each mezcal is made by farmers not factories and named for the remote village where it's made. The finest and purest available in the world, production is limited to exclusive quantities annually per maker to preserve quality. There are no chemicals, colorings or additives of any kind used in any stage of the production of any Del Maguey Mezcal.

Ron Cooper, Founder, President
Web Site: http://www.mezcal.com