Back in May 2021, Chava and I recorded an episode titled “The Birth and Death of the CRM.” Alberto Esteban Marina, former Director General of the NOMs for the Mexican government, had provided us with court papers that documented the end of the CRM’s monopoly on certifying Mezcal. Now Alberto’s come back to me with two court decisions documenting the end of the CRT’s monopoly on certifying Tequila. What does that mean for Tequila producers? What does it mean for Tequila drinkers? And what does it mean for Khrys Maxwell, Director of Tequila and Agave Distillates at Museum of Distilled Spirits, who has agreed to put himself in the line of fire with me by recording this episode of Agave Road Trip with me? You’ll have to listen to find out!

Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico. This episode is hosted by Lou Bank and Khrys Maxwell of the Museum of Distilled Spirits.

Episode Notes

To read the court papers from the case of Certificación Mexicana v Consejo Regulador del Tequila, you should click here — courtesy of Alberto Esteban Marina

The Tequila NOM from 1949, courtesy of Khrys Maxwell

The Tequila DO from 1974, courtesy of Alberto Esteban Marina

And a follow-up to the story of the CRM losing their monopoly on Mezcal certification: It looks like they’ll now also be fined for their former monopolistic practices. Click here to read the story.