2018 October 2: Writing about mezcal in Oaxaca, the author hit some of the most reknown mezcalerías, but fell short in not including an educational excursion on the itinerary. Visiting the city gets you only so far in the quest for learning. You need to get out of the city and interact with the palenqueros and their families. But here it is in any event: https://punchdrink.com/articles/where-to-drink-mezcal-oaxaca-city-mexico-in-situ-mezcaloteca-cuish/
September 26: Until the 1990s, mezcal was often made by mixing together different types of agave, and it was just called mezcal. Now, a new nomenclature: http://imbibemagazine.com/mezcal-field-blends/
September 23: More for the novice mezcal aficionado, but worthy of noting, this mezcal glossary of terms which was provided to me by John Henry, one of the authors and a partner in El Buho mezcal www.rochestercocktailrevival.com/resources.html. September 22: While not all that interesting, I suppose it could be construed as such, as mezcal cocktails go mainstream via the kitchen of a TV star from Orange in the New Black: https://www.usmagazine.com/food/news/alysia-reiners-4-ingredient-mezcal-cocktail-watch/amp/
September 18: Production of mezcal as a result of the boom, is expected to continue into at least 2023: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/number-of-mezcal-producers-has-nearly-tripled/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Today&utm_campaign=6632635d01-MNT+sept+8%2F18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-6632635d01-349033521
September 11: Once again mezcal makes the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/travel/oaxacas-potent-secret-mezcal-is-born-of-time-tradition-and-a-slow-growing-plant.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftravel&action=click&contentCollection=travel®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront
June 28: Women and Mezcal in Oaxaca: Both sexes are required to make the iconic agave based spirit, believe it or not: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2018/06/28/women-in-mezcal/
May 18: Ethical Mezcal Tourism in Oaxaca, Mexico: Towards an understanding: http://ezinearticles.com/?Ethical-Mezcal-Tourism-in-Oaxaca,-Mexico:-Towards-an-Understanding&id=9943720
May 12: Want to sleep in a tequila barrel? https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/fancy-tequila-how-about-a-few-nights-in-a-tequila-barrel/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Daily&utm_campaign=986edbb6ed-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-986edbb6ed-349033521
May 10: Agave is the most popular raw material used to make spirits in Mexico, but there are others: https://www.liquor.com/slideshows/mexican-liquor/#gs.wC8k_jI
April 26: Paranubes Oaxacan Rum, brought to you by the owners of Mezcal Vago: https://punchdrink.com/articles/hunting-paranubes-rum-oaxaca-mexico/
April 15: Perhaps not directly on topic, but nevertheless an interesting take on whisky in Mexico and how it can impact tequila and mezcal sales nationally, at least if maguey costs coninue to rise and producers do not lower ABV to remain competitive with whisky: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/whisky-gains-ground-against-iconic-tequila/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Daily&utm_campaign=208d0a6368-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-208d0a6368-349033521
April 9: Making an agave distillate in California. Can it possibly rival mezcal, given the different climatic region, and the apparent dramatically higher cost of production? https://punchdrink.com/articles/welcome-mezcalifornia-tequila-agave-production-california-usa/
April 7: Here's a recent article about a new mezcal book, with apparently the recipe of the best cocktail: https://www.outtraveler.com/2018/4/02/queen-desert-mezcal-complex-vers-ready-your-cocktail
March 27: The importance of Del Maguey Mezcal for the industry, and why we should not shy away from drinking it despite a partial change in ownership: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2018/03/27/ron-cooper-del-maguey-selling-isnt-always-selling-out/
March 18: The Federal Government is cracking down on mezcal in Oaxaca infused with creepy crawlers and slitherers: http://www.nvinoticias.com/nota/87500/confisca-profepa-mezcal-de-oaxaca-con-reptiles-y-aracnidos-entre-ellas-boas
March 3: We should all be concerned when the Chief Executive Officer of a multi-national quoted about its new brand of mezcal is so uninformed (i.e. distinguishing mezcal from tequila): https://www.just-drinks.com/news/stoli-group-readies-mezcal-category-entry-just-drinks-exclusive_id125268.aspx
February 24: Opinion regarding the increasing price of agave, mezcal and tequila: http://www.tequilainterchangeproject.org/2018/02/22/drinking-for-a-greater-agave-distillates-industry/
January 28: Global, National & State Significance of Mezcal: http://ezinearticles.com/?Mezcal-in-Oaxaca:-State,-National-and-Global-Significance-of-Mexicos-Iconic-Spirit&id=9874627
2017
December 27: According to Fodors, mezcal is one of the top ten reasons to visit Oaxaca, and embarking upon a mezcal educational excursion is featured as an impetus for traveling to this southern Mexico state: https://www.fodors.com/world/mexico-and-central-america/mexico/oaxaca/experiences/news/10-reasons-to-visit-oaxaca-mexico
November 5: Agave and now its spirit has an interesting history abroad, including in India: http://www.oldtowntequila.com/single-agave-100-agave-americana-edition/
November 3: Want to know where to drink mezcal in the city of Oaxaca? Here are a few of the many options, though the article is in Spanish: https://www.travelreport.mx/gastronomia/donde-tomar-mezcal-en-oaxaca/
September 3: Considering buying a mezcal made with tobalá in the US? Read this first: https://www.mezcalreviews.com/blind-tasting-agave-tobala-mezcals/
July 16: Are industry sustainability and the artisanal nature of mezcal really hindered with the Mezcal del Maguey sale? https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2017/07/del-maguay-upping-mezcal-production-sustainably-is-viable/
June 18: Could mezcal every catch up to tequila? http://www.foodbev.com/news/top-four-reasons-why-mezcal-could-be-the-new-tequila/
June 16: "Rust Never Sleeps:" As if Vago Mezcal's Judah Kuper doesn't have enough to do, he's now bringing Oaxacan rum to the US: http://imbibemagazine.com/paranubes-rum/
June 7: Learning about mezcal in Mexico City: https://press.atairbnb.com/host-spotlight-mexico-city-mezcalier-welcomes-guests-cult-mezcal/
May 5: A foodie's answer to why drink mezcal: http://passionatefoodie.blogspot.mx/2017/05/ten-reasons-to-drink-mezcal-instead-of.html
