EP 641 Mezcal – Agave that is not Tequila

Richard Betts, of Betts and Scholl fame, teaches Gary Vaynerchuk about this 100% Agave spirit.

Wines tasted in this episode:

Sombra Mezcal

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

Latest Comment:

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Luca Bercelli

93/100

lone of the day -‘it’s like the oak monster, but it’s the worm monster’

Tremendous episode, tremendous guest. Watching Gary learning is pure entertainment. This is what WLTV is all about; new experiences and knowledgeable, fun guests. Loved it.

Tags: Mexico, Mezcal, review, Spirit, Video

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  • my2cents

    Interesting episode.

    Gary you did a very good job on this one with asking questions and really acting like this was an interview. Well done.(this time, we’re watching you though)

    These days it is hard to stay positive but waking up to my child calling from their bedroom is certainly one thing that gets up with a smile. There is always something new to discover and inspire me through the day.

    I think I have only had the tequila versions but maybe once? Oh and you are tremendous! Thanks.

  • my2cents

    Interesting episode.

    Gary you did a very good job on this one with asking questions and really acting like this was an interview. Well done.(this time, we’re watching you though)

    These days it is hard to stay positive but waking up to my child calling from their bedroom is certainly one thing that gets up with a smile. There is always something new to discover and inspire me through the day.

    I think I have only had the tequila versions but maybe once? Oh and you are tremendous! Thanks.

  • Steve Martin

    Awesome Episode !!!(Mezcal) Ive had it many times and love the BUZZ !!! more like a high ! You gotta go to a real Mexican Tequila bar like Tequila Cantina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. They do tequila tastings like high end wine tastings . White tableclothes,flights of tequila HUNDREDS of tequilas and Mezcals !!

  • Steve Martin

    Awesome Episode !!!(Mezcal) Ive had it many times and love the BUZZ !!! more like a high ! You gotta go to a real Mexican Tequila bar like Tequila Cantina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. They do tequila tastings like high end wine tastings . White tableclothes,flights of tequila HUNDREDS of tequilas and Mezcals !!

  • Was that you i saw in Jimmy Fallon’s green room last night? My guess is you are friends with those Digg dudes and they invited you to come hang out with them. But, i have to ask, were you really drinking Bud Light?! Say it aint so Gary!

  • Was that you i saw in Jimmy Fallon’s green room last night? My guess is you are friends with those Digg dudes and they invited you to come hang out with them. But, i have to ask, were you really drinking Bud Light?! Say it aint so Gary!

  • Kathryn M.

    Rad show, Gary! If you have a place that makes good margaritas, next time order one with mezcal instead – it’s not as sweet and much more interesting!

  • Kathryn M.

    Rad show, Gary! If you have a place that makes good margaritas, next time order one with mezcal instead – it’s not as sweet and much more interesting!

  • ex-lurkdawg

    I have tried Mezcal only once. I’m going to see if I can find Sombra anywhere. I really enjoyed hearing about the traditional process of making this spirit. Thank you, Gary, Chris, and Richard, for the great show.

    fantastic qotd: I try to keep the “bigger picture” in mind. When I’m able to do that, I can’t help but be optimistic.

  • J dubs

    First off great guest one of my favorites of late. 1st QOTD I have had a couple of Mezcals from Del Meguey (the Pechuga and I can’t recall what the other was). Mezcal is a really cool spirit but also hard to acquire here in Florida at a reasonable price due to shipping laws. 2nd QOTD I get my optimism from my friends and from other passionate people like Gary.

  • ex-lurkdawg

    I have tried Mezcal only once. I’m going to see if I can find Sombra anywhere. I really enjoyed hearing about the traditional process of making this spirit. Thank you, Gary, Chris, and Richard, for the great show.

    fantastic qotd: I try to keep the “bigger picture” in mind. When I’m able to do that, I can’t help but be optimistic.

  • J dubs

    First off great guest one of my favorites of late. 1st QOTD I have had a couple of Mezcals from Del Meguey (the Pechuga and I can’t recall what the other was). Mezcal is a really cool spirit but also hard to acquire here in Florida at a reasonable price due to shipping laws. 2nd QOTD I get my optimism from my friends and from other passionate people like Gary.

  • Anonymous

    I can remember drinking most of a bottle on a Matzatlan beach. It was awesome but it hurt like hell in the morning. Can’t wait to try the top shelf Mezcal. Thanks for a great episode.
    QOTD I’m optimistic because we have a new leader.

  • castello

    I can remember drinking most of a bottle on a Matzatlan beach. It was awesome but it hurt like hell in the morning. Can’t wait to try the top shelf Mezcal. Thanks for a great episode.
    QOTD I’m optimistic because we have a new leader.

  • LARISA YASOL

    HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY THE BURROS? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN ACTUAL VIDEO OF THIS SOMBRA MEZCAL PROCESS.
    ALL THE BEST,
    LARISA

  • Jason S.

    QOTD1: negatory
    QOTD2: seeing opportunity in every interaction

  • LARISA YASOL

    HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY THE BURROS? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN ACTUAL VIDEO OF THIS SOMBRA MEZCAL PROCESS.
    ALL THE BEST,
    LARISA

  • Jason S.

    QOTD1: negatory
    QOTD2: seeing opportunity in every interaction

  • Anonymous

    Side Question: Yes I’ve had Mescal(Neighbor is from Mexico). Had it at a barbecue to which my husband burned the spareribs, so I probably didn’t notice the smokiness as much.

    Side Comment: Disappointed that Mott is a smoker—or anyone else for that matter.

    QOTD: My husband helps to keep me optimistic in these difficult times.

  • WineWoman

    Side Question: Yes I’ve had Mescal(Neighbor is from Mexico). Had it at a barbecue to which my husband burned the spareribs, so I probably didn’t notice the smokiness as much.

    Side Comment: Disappointed that Mott is a smoker—or anyone else for that matter.

    QOTD: My husband helps to keep me optimistic in these difficult times.

  • MikePos

    Yes. Unintended “Lost” reference with the SMOKEMONSTER. Nice. Gary, you missed out on a lot of fun in high school and college with never smoking anything. Or, maybe you just skipped the long road and ended up at the ultimate finish line of wine and spirits. I get my optimism from nature, i.e., the beauty of a southwest sunset.

  • MikePos

    Yes. Unintended “Lost” reference with the SMOKEMONSTER. Nice. Gary, you missed out on a lot of fun in high school and college with never smoking anything. Or, maybe you just skipped the long road and ended up at the ultimate finish line of wine and spirits. I get my optimism from nature, i.e., the beauty of a southwest sunset.

  • Carlitos

    QOTD1. Yes, but not premium.

    QOTD2. My wife’s a great source of optimism! And thinking about the wine I’ll open that night…

  • Carlitos

    QOTD1. Yes, but not premium.

    QOTD2. My wife’s a great source of optimism! And thinking about the wine I’ll open that night…

  • Brooke

    Just tried Mezcal for the first time last January, while in Cozumel! Tasted like dirt to me 😉

  • Brooke

    Just tried Mezcal for the first time last January, while in Cozumel! Tasted like dirt to me 😉

  • wayno da wino

    ZZZZZzzzzzz…ZZZZZzzzzz….ZZZZZzzzzz…..Finally, a Cure for me
    INSOMNIA (this episode)! ZZZZZzzzzz…ZZZZZZzzzzz….ZZZZZzzzzz…..

  • wayno da wino

    ZZZZZzzzzzz…ZZZZZzzzzz….ZZZZZzzzzz…..Finally, a Cure for me
    INSOMNIA (this episode)! ZZZZZzzzzz…ZZZZZZzzzzz….ZZZZZzzzzz…..

  • Tom

    I have had mezcal before. It must have been the crappy stuff though, since it did have a worm in the bottom.

    QOTD: I believe people are born Optimistic. The world just changes some into Pessimists. Reminds me of a garyvaynerchuk.com posting — it “exposes” us.

  • Tom

    I have had mezcal before. It must have been the crappy stuff though, since it did have a worm in the bottom.

    QOTD: I believe people are born Optimistic. The world just changes some into Pessimists. Reminds me of a garyvaynerchuk.com posting — it “exposes” us.

  • Phil G

    Never had a Mezcal, but it sounds interesting – and I like the description of the whole process.

    QOTD – well, it sounds corny but little things like a sunny day, a good meal, delicious wine. I would also say any time I interact with my 3 nieces or nephew. They are so much fun and it is so interesting to see them become little people (all ages 3-7).

    Also, I think you let an f-bomb slip in there GV!

  • Phil G

    Never had a Mezcal, but it sounds interesting – and I like the description of the whole process.

    QOTD – well, it sounds corny but little things like a sunny day, a good meal, delicious wine. I would also say any time I interact with my 3 nieces or nephew. They are so much fun and it is so interesting to see them become little people (all ages 3-7).

    Also, I think you let an f-bomb slip in there GV!

  • Neil

    QOTD 1: Yes and way back in college I recall eating the worm.

    QOTD 2: My sense of optimism comes from my wife Julie and my dear daughter Chloe.

  • Neil

    QOTD 1: Yes and way back in college I recall eating the worm.

    QOTD 2: My sense of optimism comes from my wife Julie and my dear daughter Chloe.

  • Marshall

    Damn, I got writers block

  • Marshall

    Damn, I got writers block

  • Dr.Scott

    qotd #1: yes, in the restaurant/ bar biz a hundred years ago.

    qotd #2:from the constant realization that there is something new to learn or experience. Also from the fact that winter is mostly over and there will be no snow to shovel for 10 months.

  • Dr.Scott

    qotd #1: yes, in the restaurant/ bar biz a hundred years ago.

    qotd #2:from the constant realization that there is something new to learn or experience. Also from the fact that winter is mostly over and there will be no snow to shovel for 10 months.

  • Ben

    I loved this.

    QOD1: There are a couple tequila bars in San Francisco that have Mezcal tastings as well. I had a flight of three, and left a happy man.

    QOD2: Optimism comes from setting goals and achieving them for me. It happens every day! There are opportunities and potential everywhere around us, we just need to stick our hands out and grab some.

  • Ben

    I loved this.

    QOD1: There are a couple tequila bars in San Francisco that have Mezcal tastings as well. I had a flight of three, and left a happy man.

    QOD2: Optimism comes from setting goals and achieving them for me. It happens every day! There are opportunities and potential everywhere around us, we just need to stick our hands out and grab some.

  • Tchilds

    Great episode, Gary. I love seeing you out of your comfort zone and the subject was fascinating. Also I agree a video of this process would be incredible. This guy seems like a great dude, I’ll definitely check out his wines now, too.

  • Tchilds

    Great episode, Gary. I love seeing you out of your comfort zone and the subject was fascinating. Also I agree a video of this process would be incredible. This guy seems like a great dude, I’ll definitely check out his wines now, too.

  • Lots of tradition and passion in Mezcal, Sombra is good stuff. Some Mezcal is con gusano (worm), but not all of it is bad.

  • Lots of tradition and passion in Mezcal, Sombra is good stuff. Some Mezcal is con gusano (worm), but not all of it is bad.

  • DogD

    This guy reminds me of Will Ferrell’s character in Wedding Crashers….pretty off the hook. Anyway never had Mezca, but really interested to try it, thanks for the education. Also, tell Mott I know someone at work who had this “laser accupuncture” crap done for quitting smoking and they said it’s the most amazing thing they’ve ever done and they haven’t even wanted a cigarette since……I’m just sayin’ you should try it! As far as where I’m finding my optimism these days….well I’m moving out to California in 6 weeks from Florida so that’s pretty much what’s keeping my head up.

  • DogD

    This guy reminds me of Will Ferrell’s character in Wedding Crashers….pretty off the hook. Anyway never had Mezca, but really interested to try it, thanks for the education. Also, tell Mott I know someone at work who had this “laser accupuncture” crap done for quitting smoking and they said it’s the most amazing thing they’ve ever done and they haven’t even wanted a cigarette since……I’m just sayin’ you should try it! As far as where I’m finding my optimism these days….well I’m moving out to California in 6 weeks from Florida so that’s pretty much what’s keeping my head up.

  • QUE

    1. no

    2. Life is a one time shot but there are tons of opportunities you just have to seize them. So I guess that my optimism comes from seeing endless opportunities and possibilities. No day is the same!

  • QUE

    1. no

    2. Life is a one time shot but there are tons of opportunities you just have to seize them. So I guess that my optimism comes from seeing endless opportunities and possibilities. No day is the same!

  • Jose Luis Castillo Jr.

    love the shout out to Valiant Comics yo!!! I loved their storylines. Do you remember the Image Valiant crossover books???

  • Jose Luis Castillo Jr.

    love the shout out to Valiant Comics yo!!! I loved their storylines. Do you remember the Image Valiant crossover books???

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