Procuring a very specific tequila
August 5, 2013 10:55 AM Subscribe
How can I get at least two bottles (and as much as a case) of Teoctli agave distillation—tequila— here in Los Angeles?
I was a complete ass and opened a friend's bottle while we were in Mexico; he couldn't bring it back to drink at his leisure like originally planned. He bought it directly from the distillery, which was tiny and obscurely located near the Teotihuacan temple outside of Mexico City. I'd like to procure a bottle for him and hopefully a bottle for myself, but all of the spirit vendors I've contacted here haven't seen it on their distributor list.
I've googled hard and come up with exactly one vendor, a small grocery in Mexico City that lists it on their website. (link w/ pic) Emailed them but have yet to hear back. I'm also concerned at the logistics of importing these spirits; I'd rather not get anyone into trouble or lose the liquor in transit.
Short of flying back to Mexico City (starting to seriously consider it...) what can I do to get some of this stuff?
I was a complete ass and opened a friend's bottle while we were in Mexico; he couldn't bring it back to drink at his leisure like originally planned. He bought it directly from the distillery, which was tiny and obscurely located near the Teotihuacan temple outside of Mexico City. I'd like to procure a bottle for him and hopefully a bottle for myself, but all of the spirit vendors I've contacted here haven't seen it on their distributor list.
I've googled hard and come up with exactly one vendor, a small grocery in Mexico City that lists it on their website. (link w/ pic) Emailed them but have yet to hear back. I'm also concerned at the logistics of importing these spirits; I'd rather not get anyone into trouble or lose the liquor in transit.
Short of flying back to Mexico City (starting to seriously consider it...) what can I do to get some of this stuff?
I happen to have a pro account with wine-searcher.com (the name is somewhat misleading as they're also a really good resource for finding almost any kind of liquor) so I ran a CA, US and worldwide search for Teoctli for you but unfortunately I got nothing :(
Unless you get very lucky and find a lone bottle in some below the radar liquor store it looks like you may have to head to Mexico City for this one. Most well stocked stores like "Ramirez Liquor" mentioned above actually have their stock listed on wine-searcher. I also verified that Ramirez is in fact listed on the page.
Considering that "Teoctli" appears to be a general aztec term for ceremonial or god wine I'm not so sure that it's even a brand name as such. Could be somebody's local small batch distillation that is only sold through that one store or something.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:56 AM on August 5, 2013
Unless you get very lucky and find a lone bottle in some below the radar liquor store it looks like you may have to head to Mexico City for this one. Most well stocked stores like "Ramirez Liquor" mentioned above actually have their stock listed on wine-searcher. I also verified that Ramirez is in fact listed on the page.
Considering that "Teoctli" appears to be a general aztec term for ceremonial or god wine I'm not so sure that it's even a brand name as such. Could be somebody's local small batch distillation that is only sold through that one store or something.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:56 AM on August 5, 2013
Best answer: I live in Mexico City, close to the grocery store you linked. I'll MeMail you.
posted by clearlydemon at 12:39 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by clearlydemon at 12:39 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: clearlydemon was able to provide me with the name of the distillery that makes Teoctli:
EZO BRAVO, S.A. DE C.V.
While I do not yet consider the matter resolved, I think they deserve a best answer for that alone.
posted by carsonb at 6:14 PM on August 5, 2013
EZO BRAVO, S.A. DE C.V.
While I do not yet consider the matter resolved, I think they deserve a best answer for that alone.
posted by carsonb at 6:14 PM on August 5, 2013
I've emailed both the EZO BRAVO email displayed in that page, and a friend who knows the owner of the store where you found it. I'll coordinate my efforts with clearlydemon and keep you posted.
posted by Cobalt at 7:24 PM on August 5, 2013
posted by Cobalt at 7:24 PM on August 5, 2013
Response by poster: So I've been pounding the Internet pavement hard looking for ways about this mess and, setting aside the generosity of MetaFilter's worldly travelers (a considerable and great thing to set aside, mind), it looks like I'm basically going to have to contract a local vendor to procure this sweet agave juice on my behalf. Most of the other ways of getting a bottle to me here are heart-wrenchingly illegal.
Thankfully I have the distiller's contact info now, which is the tidbit of info I've been short on when talking with said local vendors. I'm pretty sure I can put an order in through the local purveyors accompanied by the distillery info and have myself a case of this fine tequila in a reasonable amount of time.
Those of you who have been kind enough to offer their various services are indeed great and wonderful people, furthering all indications I've received to now that the populace of Mexico City is the kindest and most generous in the Western Hemisphere and perhaps all the world.
posted by carsonb at 8:26 PM on August 5, 2013
Thankfully I have the distiller's contact info now, which is the tidbit of info I've been short on when talking with said local vendors. I'm pretty sure I can put an order in through the local purveyors accompanied by the distillery info and have myself a case of this fine tequila in a reasonable amount of time.
Those of you who have been kind enough to offer their various services are indeed great and wonderful people, furthering all indications I've received to now that the populace of Mexico City is the kindest and most generous in the Western Hemisphere and perhaps all the world.
posted by carsonb at 8:26 PM on August 5, 2013
Response by poster: Dang.
I just got off the phone with my local spirits vendor's procurer. He informed me that I'd need to contact the distillery to see if they have a deal with a California importer. Importing licenses are handed out at the state level in the USA, so even if they have a deal with AZ or TX or CO I'd still have to get them to make a deal with an importer here in CA.
Alas, according to the EZO BRAVO, S.A. DE C.V. profile linked above, they're currently seeking deals with importers in the US but don't have any yet.
Mr. Procurer also informed me that, while there are a hundred or so licensed importers in California, the big two (Southern & Youngs Market) often prefer to buy up smaller distilleries and obliterate the competition for Cuervo rather than offer a selection of fine and unique spirits in the US. Ugh.
posted by carsonb at 11:22 AM on August 6, 2013
I just got off the phone with my local spirits vendor's procurer. He informed me that I'd need to contact the distillery to see if they have a deal with a California importer. Importing licenses are handed out at the state level in the USA, so even if they have a deal with AZ or TX or CO I'd still have to get them to make a deal with an importer here in CA.
Alas, according to the EZO BRAVO, S.A. DE C.V. profile linked above, they're currently seeking deals with importers in the US but don't have any yet.
Mr. Procurer also informed me that, while there are a hundred or so licensed importers in California, the big two (Southern & Youngs Market) often prefer to buy up smaller distilleries and obliterate the competition for Cuervo rather than offer a selection of fine and unique spirits in the US. Ugh.
posted by carsonb at 11:22 AM on August 6, 2013
Response by poster: So, the month-later update goes much the same as the last one— there's no good way to move liquor across national borders on this continent (or even across state lines) unless you're a licensed alcohol vendor/distributor or moving just enough for your own personal use, in your own personal baggage.
However I am very happy to report that, thanks to the generosity of a particular MeFite who happened to be traveling from Mexico City to CA, my very good friend, the sister of the wife of the man whose bottle I drank, is in receipt of two bottles of excellent Teoctli Añejo. One for me the next time I see her, and one for him the next time she sees her sister. The Teoctli may not be the very best agave distillation available, but I tell you now that when I sip it next month it will be the best I've ever had. Because I'm not just getting some tequila, but a damn good story of goodwill and the very best of humanity to go with it.
Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions! Cheers!
posted by carsonb at 1:53 PM on September 4, 2013
However I am very happy to report that, thanks to the generosity of a particular MeFite who happened to be traveling from Mexico City to CA, my very good friend, the sister of the wife of the man whose bottle I drank, is in receipt of two bottles of excellent Teoctli Añejo. One for me the next time I see her, and one for him the next time she sees her sister. The Teoctli may not be the very best agave distillation available, but I tell you now that when I sip it next month it will be the best I've ever had. Because I'm not just getting some tequila, but a damn good story of goodwill and the very best of humanity to go with it.
Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions! Cheers!
posted by carsonb at 1:53 PM on September 4, 2013
Response by poster: One more follow-up:
I picked up two bottles of Teoctli at my friend's house in San Francisco this past weekend. Her sister was in town the same time I was, so I was able to send a bottle back with her immediately. We took the other bottle to Golden Gate Park and drank it with friends in the bright hot sun and listened to music and I could imagine no better ending to this question.
Thanks again to everyone who helped or offered help or proffered suggestions!
posted by carsonb at 8:17 AM on October 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
I picked up two bottles of Teoctli at my friend's house in San Francisco this past weekend. Her sister was in town the same time I was, so I was able to send a bottle back with her immediately. We took the other bottle to Golden Gate Park and drank it with friends in the bright hot sun and listened to music and I could imagine no better ending to this question.
Thanks again to everyone who helped or offered help or proffered suggestions!
posted by carsonb at 8:17 AM on October 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Oh, and for the record my memory was vindicated by the Anejo. It is incredibly smooth sipping tequila, just a hint of cinnamon burn going down, and sweet without being cloying. My new favorite!
Now, if only it was a little easier to get a hold of a bottle. I put a standing request on Craigslist which, given the amount of travel between here and there should be fairly fruitful.
posted by carsonb at 11:29 AM on October 11, 2013
Now, if only it was a little easier to get a hold of a bottle. I put a standing request on Craigslist which, given the amount of travel between here and there should be fairly fruitful.
posted by carsonb at 11:29 AM on October 11, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by carmicha at 11:39 AM on August 5, 2013