Mezcal in Australia Makes a Move, but It's A Locally Produced Agave Distillate: https://www.theland.com.au/story/7089693/narrabri-team-puts-an-australian-spin-on-a-mexican-classic/?fbclid=IwAR03BA2k1kiZz2so_ODFNLL6-3P61izXXGcKzfdgPMSPTi665dX3QDjk3QE
Confirms what we already know, that mezcal has taken Austin TX by storm: https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2019-03-01/dive-deeper-into-the-world-of-mezcal-in-austin/?fbclid=IwAR0sQieDPmoH6sXbj69LtIR0luBKlEU0pq9zb7ISzhLh-gQuzjLDb7jDvvg
Smoked brisket mezcal? The owners of Las Almas Rotas in Dallas are fine people, and in fact I trained them. However smoked brisket mezcal? Yes it's a novelty item, and cudos to them for that. That mezcal brand has also done a gin mezcal. To my thinking if you want brisket go to a Jewish deli, and if you want juniper berres try a quality gin and hold the agave. I come up with my own recipes, but try to ensure that there is no more than a hint of anything other than agave: https://www.guidelive.com/bars-and-cocktails/2019/02/04/dallas-bar-teams-mezcal-producer-make-spirit-using-smoked-texas-brisket?fbclid=IwAR3DMIUyF-hvK01vBkPi-CExMXqLHTyontAqwkcQk0KVp7ICfazq0hb_agU
Exporting mezcal by developing your own brand; some consideration: https://www.oaxacamezcaltours.com/mezcalarticles/category/exporting-mezcal-importing
Cocktails with Mezcal the New US Craze: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/dining/drinks/classic-cocktails-mezcal.html?module=WatchingPortal®ion=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=7&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F07%2F05%2Fdining%2Fdrinks%2Fclassic-cocktails-mezcal.html&eventName=Watching-article-click
Mezcal in the US makes its mark in Forbes (online) magazine: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlaalindahao/2018/04/19/best-mezcals-to-try-this-year-2018/#54e84a59463f
Mezcal Crawling in LA (April 12, 2018): http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-fo-dr-mezcal-crawl-ulises-torrentera-20180414-htmlstory.html
Information dealing with statistics of Mexican spirit imports abroad:
Note that some brands listed are not particularly good, or are distilled / distributed by individuals whose motivation for producing and selling is purely profit. It's important to ask someone in the know about the producers' / importers' personalities if motivation is a consideration, prior to purchasing Mezcal in the USA.
Coverage is listed by publication. Vancouver Sun (a little knowledge can be dangerous, as the erroneous information about mezcal in this article, citing an "expert," illustrates) Globe and Mail National Post Toronto Sun
Japan See coverage here, as well as a new Mezcalaria in the heart of Roppongi, Toyko here.
