Meet Lauren Castano, our tequila knowledgeable and member of The Chilled Ambassador Community. Primarily based in South Florida, Lauren is an authorized Tequila Sommelier, educator, and longtime trade professional with almost 30 years in meals and beverage—and greater than 15 years devoted to agave spirits.
Licensed by way of the Worldwide Tequila Academy and WSET Degree 2, she’s obsessed with high quality tequila and the craftsmanship behind it. We requested Lauren to speak about what first pulled her into tequila—and the way one bartender modified every little thing.
What was the second or expertise that first pulled you into the world of tequila?
My tequila journey started in school at a Mexican cantina the place I used to be serving tables in a tequila bar. And no, it wasn’t as a result of I used to be ingesting dangerous tequila in school. I barely drank in any respect, and I knew nearly nothing concerning the spirit. The bar was very male-dominated and all the time packed. As a server, I shortly observed how a lot energy the bartenders carried, and I needed a spot behind that bar.
One bartender specifically stood out. He didn’t discuss tequila prefer it was simply one other shot. He went deeper, spoke with precision, ardour, and a form of confidence that captivated anybody who listened. I had no concept what he was speaking about on the time, however I used to be fascinated by how he talked about it.
Years later, after turning into a revered bartender working alongside him, that bar closed. I moved to a different location of the identical idea, with a tequila bar and a variety that felt countless. They did bottle service, and my job was to promote tequila. That’s after I realized how a lot I didn’t know. And that’s when the rabbit gap opened. I found a complete world I didn’t know existed. I fell headfirst into the schooling, the tradition, the method, the entire world behind agave. And I’ve by no means come out.
What do you want extra individuals understood about tequila and its tradition?
Tequila isn’t meant to be thrown again with salt and lime. Any producer will inform you it’s designed to be sipped like a advantageous wine. The nuances within the glass come from the terroir, the encompassing fruit bushes, mango, citrus, and the cautious, intentional course of behind each step. There’s tradition, craft, and land in every bottle, and I want extra individuals skilled it that means.
Once you’re evaluating a tequila, what qualities or particulars inform you it’s actually distinctive?
I do quite a lot of blind tastings, and so they’ve change into one in all my favourite elements of what I do. I search for tequila that stands out… that catches my palate’s consideration. Typically it’s one thing so totally different or so daring that I’m not even positive if I prefer it at first. That’s often the tequila I wish to revisit time and again.
For me, an distinctive tequila is one I can’t wait to drink after I’m off the clock, one thing I stay up for sipping throughout my very own downtime, stress-free with the individuals I like.
What drives your work at this time—what’s the story you hope to inform by way of tequila and schooling?
We’ve been in an agave increase, with tequila fashionable greater than ever, and because the class grows, so does the duty to inform its true tales. I wish to share the views of the producers, their histories, their strategies, and the way they see their tequila. I wish to spotlight the manufacturers constructed on ardour and integrity, not shortcuts. My mission is to attach individuals to the tradition and craftsmanship behind each bottle, guaranteeing that the center of tequila, the story, by no means will get misplaced.
Lauren Castano:
Lauren Castano is a Tequila Sommelier, educator, and digital creator primarily based in South Florida. With almost 30 years within the meals and beverage trade and over 15 years devoted particularly to tequila, she combines deep experience with an genuine ardour for agave spirits. Licensed by way of the Worldwide Tequila Academy and WSET Degree 2, Lauren is dedicated to highlighting high quality tequila and the cultural craftsmanship behind every bottle.
Via her platform, @loveintequila, house to a neighborhood of greater than 32k lovers, she shares academic content material, hosts tastings and bar occasions, and brings individuals nearer to the traditions of agave. Lauren’s background in schooling and her hands-on trade expertise make her a trusted voice for anybody seeking to discover tequila with honesty, depth, and real respect for the producers who make it.
The Chilled Evaluation
The Chilled Authority is our expert-led column that includes trusted voices from the Chilled Ambassador Community. From tequila to whiskey to rising classes, this sequence delivers grounded perception, actual expertise, and information from these working on the highest degree of the trade—sharing what they know, what they’re tasting, and what’s shaping our trade proper now.
The put up Meet Chilled Ambassador, Tequila Sommelier, Educator, Digital Creator Lauren Castano appeared first on Chilled Journal.
