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 business professional with almost 30 years in meals and beverage—and greater than 15 years devoted to agave spirits.
Licensed by the Worldwide Tequila Academy and WSET Stage 2, she’s captivated 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 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 unhealthy tequila in school. I barely drank in any respect, and I knew virtually nothing concerning the spirit. The bar was very male-dominated and at all times packed. As a server, I rapidly seen how a lot energy the bartenders carried, and I wished 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 range that felt infinite. 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 folks 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 encircling 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 folks skilled it that manner.
Whenever you’re evaluating a tequila, what qualities or particulars inform you it’s really distinctive?
I do a whole lot of blind tastings, and so they’ve change into one among 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 normally the tequila I need to revisit many times.
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, enjoyable with the folks I really like.What drives your work right this moment—what’s the story you hope to inform by tequila and schooling?
We’ve been in an agave increase, with tequila common greater than ever, and because the class grows, so does the accountability to inform its true tales. I need to share the views of the producers, their histories, their strategies, and the way they see their tequila. I need to spotlight the manufacturers constructed on ardour and integrity, not shortcuts. My mission is to attach folks to the tradition and craftsmanship behind each bottle, guaranteeing that the guts 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 business and over 15 years devoted particularly to tequila, she combines deep experience with an genuine ardour for agave spirits. Licensed by the Worldwide Tequila Academy and WSET Stage 2, Lauren is dedicated to highlighting high quality tequila and the cultural craftsmanship behind every bottle.
By means of her platform, @loveintequila, house to a neighborhood of greater than 32k lovers, she shares academic content material, hosts tastings and bar occasions, and brings folks nearer to the traditions of agave. Lauren’s background in schooling and her hands-on business expertise make her a trusted voice for anybody trying to discover tequila with honesty, depth, and real respect for the producers who make it.
The Chilled Overview
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 collection delivers grounded perception, actual expertise, and data from these working on the highest stage of the business—sharing what they know, what they’re tasting, and what’s shaping our business proper now.
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