In this episode, we discuss regulation and the current state of mezcal production, particularly in northern Mexico.

We speak with Luis Loya, founder of Nación de las Verdes Matas, where he sells traditional spirits from Sonora, Nuevo León, Durango and Tamaulipas.

We also speak with Diego Mayagoitia, a first-generation mezcal producer who lives in the state of Durango. Diego tells us about the importance of community organization in the face of the growing exploitation of wild agave for the production of mezcal.

Learn more about this episode of The Nectar Corridor at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.

In this episode of The Nectar Corridor, Niki talks to:

• Luis Loya, owner of the “La Mata” brand, and founder of Nación de las Verdes Matas (nacion_de_las_verdes_matas), a space from where he markets agave distillates from traditional producers in Sonora, Nuevo León, Durango and Tamaulipas.

• Diego Mayagoitia (diegomayagoitia), a first-generation mezcal producer who lives in the state of Durango.

Episode highlights:

Diversity of landscapes in northern Mexico

• Northern landscapes

• Soils in northern Mexico

• Magueyes in Nombre de Dios, Durango

Mezcal producer towns in northern Mexico

• Production in Nombre de Dios

• Production in Monterrey

• Community and production in “ejidos”

• Cattle does the “capado” (geld)

Prohibition and clandestinity of mezcal 

• Historical perspective

• What happens today, is the clandestine production of mezcal still going on?

• How does organized crime affect mezcal production?

• Historic trade with the US southern states

• Big producer families in the north of Mexico

• Removable infrastructure in the “vinatas” (distilleries)

Mezcal licenses and permits

• Taxes, licenses, and permits

• How does it affect mezcal producers?

Popular drinks along with mezcal

• Pulque

• Sotol

• Cardenche singing (Canto Cardenche)

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