Spring 2021 Tour Update
March 15, 2021 Dear friends of Experience Agave, What a year it has been. The human losses have been incalculable, and the economic ones staggering.
March 15, 2021
Experience Agave Blog
As Global Thirst for Tequila Grows, Who Benefits? (Wine Enthusiast, February 2021)
“The best way to support the Mexican countryside from the U.S. is to actualize trade and immigration policies that are fair and would allow people to work with dignity and living wages on both sides of the border.”
February 15, 2021
2020 Tour Update
July 20, 2020 Dear friends of Experience Agave, We are currently working with a public health consultant and our partner distilleries, hotels, and transportation providers
July 21, 2020
Oaxaca Travel Guide: Get an education in mezcal with Experience Mezcal
“Oaxaca is mezcal country. Both industrial and artisan palenques dot the countryside and if you’ve developed a taste for this spirit then a day visiting
May 12, 2017
Mezcal’s meteoric rise continues, but not all industry insiders are ready to toast (The Guardian, October 2016)
“Mezcal, tequila’s stronger and smokier relative, has become a staple spirit in trendy bars across Mexico and the United States in recent years, and the
November 3, 2016
5 Of the World’s Best Tequilas You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of — And Where You Can Find Them (Forbes September 2016)
“Clayton Szczech – A widely respected ‘Tequila Geek’ and owner of Experience Tequila recommends Casachuín Blanco, Real Mexicana “Extra Dry” Extra-añejo, and 7 Leguas Single
September 30, 2016
7 Unique Group Tours in Mexico (Travel Age West, September 2016)
“Designed by owner Clayton Szczech as ‘group tours for people who don’t do group tours,’ Experience Tequila offers hands-on tours around Mexico’s eponymous region to
September 17, 2016
Heart of Jalisco – Authentic Experiences in Guadalajara (Alaska Beyond September 2016)
“We opt for a tour with Clayton Szczech, a self-styled tequila connoisseur. He guides us around the area, where we watch a jimador harvest the
September 2, 2016
The Rise of Mezcal: Great for Cocktails, Better for Oaxaca (AFAR Magazine, April 2016)
“Oaxaca is the second-poorest state in Mexico and its most indigenous, two braided facts that owe much to geography. When the Spanish plowed through in
April 11, 2016
Blue Agave Endangered by Highlands Snow
Blue Agave Endangered by Highlands Snow by Clayton J. Szczech, March 11, 2016 Residents of Jalisco’s Highlands region awoke Thursday to a substantial blanket of snow
March 11, 2016
Opposition to NOM 199 – An Update
As reported here in December, the Mexican Secretariat of the Economy has proposed legislation – NOM 199 – that could extinguish traditional mezcal production in
February 4, 2016
The Latest Affront To Traditional Mezcal: NOM 199
The Latest Affront To Traditional Mezcal: NOM 199 by Clayton J. Szczech, December 4, 2015 Half of Mexico’s population lives in poverty, and yet the country’s Secretary
December 5, 2015
On the Tequila trail (LA Times, October 2015)
“In the dim lighting, as the spirit warmed us, it felt almost as if Szczech were holding service in tequila church.” A two-part L.A. Times
December 2, 2015
Review: “Tequila! Distilling the Spirit of Mexico,” by Marie Sarita Gaytan
Review: ¡Tequila! Distilling the Spirit of Mexico. Marie Sarita Gaytán. Stanford University Press (2014). As Tequila nerds, we love trivia. “How long does it take
October 13, 2015
In the field with mezcal and tequila guide Clayton Szczech (Mezcalistas, March 2015)
“Clayton is absolutely obsessed and spends almost all his time in the field talking to mezcaleros, growers, and tons of other people connected to the
March 15, 2015
Leopoldo Solis on Fifth Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 30, 2014
Jacob Lustig (ArteNOM) on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 29, 2014
Ana Maria Romero Mena on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 20, 2014
Diana Jimenez (Tequila Centinela) on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 16, 2014
Dr. Jaime Villalobos on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 14, 2014
Jim Riley (Azunia Tequila) on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 12, 2014
Kristina Schulte (Casa del Matador) on Fifth Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years.
December 10, 2014
Casa Noble on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 9, 2014
Emilio Ferreira (Tequilas El Buho) on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
December 8, 2014
December 2014 Update on Mezcal Norm Revisions
What Next for the Mezcal Norm? by Clayton J. Szczech, December 8, 2014 This is an addendum to a three article series on proposed changes to the Mezcal
December 7, 2014
Onward Together! with Sanzekan Mezcal
Solidarity with the Future of Mezcal Experience Mezcal is working with Sanzekan Mezcal to support their program of mezcal “Solidarity Bonds.” Sanzekan Tinemi (“Onward Together,” in
November 27, 2014
On the Tequila Trail (Sunset Magazine, November 2014)
“Clayton had been leading private tasting trips on his own since 2008, but recently he teamed up with an established tour operator out of Los
November 13, 2014
German Gonzalez on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
August 19, 2014
5 Things to Know About Tequila (KOMO Seattle, August 2014)
“So what does a rookie to the world of good tequila need to know before leaving behind the world of salt, lime, and slamming a
August 13, 2014
Jackie Moffett (NW Tequila Fest) on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years.
August 1, 2014
Ann Tuennerman (Tales of the Cocktail) on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
July 15, 2014
Mezcaleros Unify Around Improved Norm
Mezcaleros Unify Around Improved Norm by Clayton J. Szczech, June 26, 2014 This is the third article in a series on COMERCAM’s proposed changes to the Mezcal
June 26, 2014
La Ruta Del Tequila (Cigar & Spirits, June 2014)
“And their tour guides are not paid actors reading a script; rather, they are impassioned individuals who have dedicated their life’s work to tequila and
June 25, 2014
Battle Lines Drawn Over Mezcal Rule Changes
Battle Lines Drawn Over Mezcal Rule Changes by Clayton J. Szczech, June 18, 2014 This is the second article in a series on COMERCAM’s proposed changes
June 19, 2014
David Grapshi on 5th Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
June 6, 2014
COMERCAM Proposal Would Recognize, Define Artisanal Mezcal
COMERCAM Proposal Would Recognize, Define Artisanal Mezcal by Clayton J. Szczech, June 1, 2014 For years, artisanal mezcal producers and their advocates have critiqued the
June 1, 2014
Mexico Bans Additives in Blanco Tequilas
Mexico Bans Additives in Blanco Tequilas The current, revised “Norm” on Tequila (NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-006-SCFI-2012, Bebidas alcohólicas – Tequila – Especificaciones), was published in December
May 27, 2014
Tomas Estes on Fifth Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
May 20, 2014
Jason Silverman (Agave NYC) on Fifth Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
March 19, 2014
Tequila Whisperer on Fifth Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years. We
March 12, 2014
Dori Bryant on Fifth Anniversary of ET
Experience Tequila launched in December, 2008. To commemorate our fifth anniversary, we asked friends and colleagues for their comments or reflections on our first five years.
February 15, 2014
Tequila Tasting (Gambit, September 2013)
“Tequila expert Clayton Szczech has wanted to attend Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans’ drinks event, but he often finds himself in Mexico during the
September 26, 2013
Giving the Agave Spirit Another Shot (Seattle Times, August 2013)
““The blue-agave plant, on average, takes seven years to grow in maturity, seven years of rain and sun. So you get a lot of chemical
August 25, 2013
Review: “The Tequila Ambassador” by Tomas Estes
Review: The Tequila Ambassador. Tomas Estes. Sauce Guides (2012). Tomas Estes has written an instantly classic tequila book that is indispensible to the library of any
April 22, 2013
Selected Tequila Bibliography
Selected Tequila Bibliography Tequila: A Traditional Art of Mexico. Ruy Sánchez, Alberto and de Orellana, Margarita (eds.) Smithsonian Books (2004). Recommended for novices and aficionados
March 21, 2013
Clayton Szczech Shares Tequila (Tampa Bay Times, January 2013)
“Last week, Szczech, founder of Experience Tequila, shared what he knows and drinks with about two dozen people gathered at Red Mesa Cantina. Szczech, who
January 13, 2013
Interview with Danish Tequila Site (April, 2012)
“Clayton Szczech… has been working with tequila for a great number of years and has a vast and thorough knowledge of growers, distilleries and brands but
April 16, 2012
Tequila Tour (My L.A. Lifestyle, October 2011)
“Clayton Szczech knows more about Mexico, its heritage and of course, tequila, than anyone I’ve ever met. More than that it is his respect for
October 15, 2011
Great Review in the Denver Post (September 2011)
“Best travel tip: Engaging the services of an expert guide (Clayton at info@ExperienceTequila.com) in advance is well worth the cost in order to get you
September 20, 2011
Live on CNN for National Tequila Day
[youtube_video id=VHFMmclVPRk width=460 height=285] Experience Tequila founder Clayton Szczech interviewed about tequila, tequila tours and National Tequila Day live on CNN en Espanol’s “Encuentro” with
July 28, 2011
Talking tequila en espanol, Part 2 (Video)
The second half of ET founder Clayton Szczech’s appearance on the “Cita con Nelly” program. The segment aired on Univision in Oregon and Washington July
July 17, 2011
Talking tequila en espanol, Part 1 (Video)
ET founder Clayton Szczech discusses tequila and the families behind the brands on the “Cita con Nelly” program. The segment aired on Univision in Oregon
July 17, 2011
Tequila: It’s not just a drink, it’s a place (Associated Press, July 2011)
“The luckiest tourists arrive with Clayton Szczech of Experience Tequila. He’s a Portland resident who loves the culture and history so much that he now
July 7, 2011
Tequila : a guide to types, flights, cocktails, and bites (Book Review)
Tequila : a guide to types, flights, cocktails, and bites / by Joanne Weir. (Berkeley, Calif. : Ten Speed Press, c2009.) Celebrity chef Joanne Weir
May 22, 2011
On Tequila and Sexual Performance
Popular beliefs about tequila abound, and often contradict each other. “It gives you the worst hangover,” say some. “No, you can’t get hung over from
May 17, 2011
A Few of Our Favorite Things (Imbibe Magazine, Jan/Feb 2011)
“Fans of tequila and travel (and who isn’t, really?) are smart to book their next vacation with Experience Tequila – a tourism company designed by
May 14, 2011
Tequila Evangelist (Reed Magazine, March 2011)
“Maybe it’s that thing with the salt and the lime. Maybe it’s that crazy old tune by the Champs. Whatever the reason, when it comes
May 3, 2011
In Tequila With Fortaleza (SF Bay Guardian, December 2010)
“For those wanting to explore the riches of Tequila themselves, I met Clayton Szczech of Experience Tequila while in Mexico. Clayton regularly leads tours in
May 2, 2011
Go Mexico Guide Interview (January 2011)
Welcome to the Friday Explorer series on Go Mexico Guide. The Friday Explorer aims to promote tour services throughout Mexico that may be of interest
April 30, 2011
My Adventures in Tequila (Tequila Aficionado, June 2010)
“I am a little winded as a group of us walk up a trail that leads to the highest point on Guillermo Sauza’s property in
April 30, 2011
Cinco de Mayo Interview (KPAM 860 AM, May 2010)
Clayton Szczech of Experience Tequila interviewed by Bob Miller on Portland, Oregon’s KPAM 860 AM for Cinco de Mayo, 2010. More Experience Tequila media coverage.
April 30, 2011
Travel broadens love of good, regional quaff (The Oregonian, February 2010)
“While living in Mexico, Reed College graduate Clayton Szczech developed a passion for 100 percent agave tequila, and after returning to Portland started a company
April 29, 2011
Some Boozy Things You Can Do (Portland Mercury, September 2009)
“…Clayton Szczech…the brain and brawn behind Experience Tequila….leads ridiculously affordable tours to the heart of the tequila producing lands… Szczech is a professional through and
September 13, 2009
