Okay, to be fair, that title is 100% click-bait. Or, rather, it’s click-bait if you’re one of the agave geeks who even knows that the CRM is the body that certifies mezcal. Or, rather, that the CRM is a body that certifies mezcal – but used to be the sole body. And the end of the monopoly paired with the chaos over who controls the CRM … ? Well, that’s what the “death” part of the title refers to. Listen to this episode of Agave Road Trip if you want to join us in trying to sort out exactly what’s happening with this institution.

This episode of Agave Road Trip is brought to you by Diageo Bar Academy. As guests return to your bar, they’re going to be thrilled just to be back in their second home. But imagine how much more thrilled they’ll be when you add a little razzle-dazzle to your toolbox. Personal technique and flair are skills that can constantly be built upon to ensure you serve up excellent drinks every time. DiageoBarAcademy.com has gathered the very best serving inspiration from around the globe, with top tips on canning, batching, garnishing, smoking, muddling, shaking, measuring, pouring … all this and so much more! Stay informed, get inspired, and nurture connections to grow your career or your business by joining Diageo Bar Academy.

Agave Road Trip is a podcast that helps gringo bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico. It’s hosted by Lou Bank and Chava Periban. 

Episode notes

If you own a brand of mezcal and the current chaos at the CRM is delaying your ability to bring your mezcal to market, you can use an alternative body to certify your mezcal. Some of the options you can use are CIDAM; Certification Mexicana, SC; Universidad Michoacana; and PAMFA, AC, and Extracta is now being accepted as an alternative lab by the CRM (under Abelino). Each has been in business for more than a decade, certifying various products against other NOMs. When the Mexican courts ruled that the CRM could not have a monopoly on certifying mezcal, these organizations began certifying mezcal. Chava and I met with CIDAM at their offices/labs in April 2021 and we’re excited to see how they impact the market. They were already certifying 400 Conejos when we visited, and they claimed to be 60% less expensive than the CRM.

Want to hear the entire interview Chava conducted with Francisco Perez from Banhez? Click here!

A few days after this episode aired, the CRM elected a president who then resigned, allowing Hipocrates to walk away without handing the reigns to Abelino. A new election will take place to fill the vacancy. Great article here about the whole story.

A group of mezcal brand owners petitioned for an injunction to stop the alternative bodies from certifying mezcal. A judge ruled that the petitioners had no legal interest and dismissed the case. You can read the court’s decision here.