Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/370174
12 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2014 A distilled treasure from Mexico The WAC showcases mezcal, the small-batch liquor with a smoky kick H ave you ever tried mezcal? It's a distilled alcoholic beverage native to Mexico. Made from the agave plant, mezcal is similar to tequila—but it has a smokier flavor that comes from being baked in underground charcoal ovens. Given that it is primarily made in small batches in remote Mexican villages, it's also harder to come by than tequila. is month, as National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off, our members will get a chance to try some of the best mezcal for themselves. anks to the efforts of WAC member Mike Sotelo and his wife, Patty, we'll be offering a special event, "Beyond Tequila: Mezcal Tasting," featuring El Zacatecano brand of mezcal. Mike, CEO of Consolidar Consulting and president and founder of the King County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Patty, a local philanthropist, helped bring this brand of mezcal to Seattle from the small town of Huitzila in Zacatecas, Mexico, a few years ago. It's part of a larger effort in the United States to support Mexico's small-batch mezcal distilleries. El Zacatecano got even more buzz when local celebrities Gene Juarez, founder of the salon company of the same name, and Mariners legend Edgar Martinez joined the effort to publicize the brand. In the past few years, Juarez, Martinez, and the Sotelos have been working to introduce this alcohol from their home country to people throughout the West Coast. e majority of mezcal is made by small producers in the state of Oaxaca in southwestern Mexico. Long one of the most popular drinks in Mexico, its distribution outside of the country has really only begun to take off in the last 10 to 15 years. Mexicans tend to drink their mezcal straight. WAC members will certainly be welcome to try El Zacatecano straight up at our pairing event, but be warned: Mezcal's smokiness and potency make it an acquired taste. So for those who are feeling less adventurous, we'll be offering some signature mixed drinks that allow you to enjoy the flavor of the liquor with less of the punch. We will be featuring mezcal blanco—a clear, less-aged variety—and mezcal reposado—a darker version that is typically aged two to nine months. And you can enjoy a handful of delicious Mexican dishes to complement the drinks. During Hispanic Heritage Month, what better time to enjoy a spirit that dates back centuries in Mexico? I hope to see you there. A la Carte By Peter Christian, Vice President Food & Beverage L U K E R U TA N MEZCAL TASTING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Featuring Guarumbo Mezcal: • 2.5 oz. mezcal reposado • 1.5 oz. orange juice • 1 oz. lime juice • .5 oz. grenadine Served with a salted rim, this is one of the event's signature cocktails. 6–8 pm, Hagerty's Clubroom; $25; RSVP: 206.464.3050