Austin's Glenn Boiles is seemingly around every corner waiting to freshen your drink. He is at every event with a smile, warm glow, and the finest spirits from across the globe care of The Backbar Project. From Texas, to PDX, back to ATX, Glenn has acquired massive knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry; often as the result of flipping a coin. From Park Cognac to Estancia Raicilla, the various marks in the Back Bar project reflect different places, different traditions. Much like Glenn, they express the beauty this world has to offer. We chat fatherhood, argument styles, and the perfect boilermaker.

Cesar Garcia grew up in mezcal country. He was surrounded by the culture, the land, and the drink itself. However, the realities of alcohol consumption sometimes eclipse the romanticized category. After decades in corporate life, Cesar experienced a life changing event that forever changed the trajectory of his life and coincidentally brought him back to the world of Mezcal. The resulting project Puntiagudo Spirits, spotlights various regions of Mexico and brings Cesar back to the land. We chat diagrams, family, childhood, and more.

Cristina Allen co-founder of Volans Tequila learned that the craft and beauty of tequila is always attainable but only with the right processes in place. Cristina studied music production and has always had a knack for creativity. Seeing the dawn of the digital era sunset on those bygone days of analog, perhaps Volans tequila is the bridge between the past and the future. A truly analog spirit. We sit and chat on a windy Sunday afternoon to discuss Alice In Chains, making sure younger generations listen to proper music, and more.

Montagave's co-founder John Melvin has delved in finances, drumming, winemaking, and now fatherhood. His brand, Montagave Tequila , is a promise ring to his French wife and their love of all things flavor. This beautiful French meets Jalisco project produced at Cascahuin was just the first step. Now, John brings one of the most lauded tasting events, Good Juice, to Austin Texas on November 8 (2025). What's in store for attendees and how does John's distinct version of hospitality enhance the experience? We chat art, family meal, jam bands, and more.

Austin's Sebas Cajas has had an interesting journey through the jungle, basketball courts, and mezcalerias of Ecuador. After a fateful gap in gigs, and motherly advice, he left Quito to start a new chapter in Austin. Here he has found love, friends, and most recently of all a deeper love of agave. After many years working behind the global spirits specialty restaurant/bar Veracruz, Sebas now takes on his biggest challenge yet with La Mezca, an intimate mecaleria style cocktail bar with lovely ambience and intimacy. We chat NBA GOAT, Nike's, feeling part of a community, and more.

Diana Pinzón has a lust for life, nature, exploration, and protecting natural resources. Her forrest studies led her to Puebla, where the beginnings of Zinacantan Mezcal were born. Now years later and at the helm of Mezcal truth-telling, Diana, via Raices Imports, brings these beautiful spirits into Texas. We talk about bats, dancing, travel, and more.

Naomi Michial Ayala has achieved profound things in the hospitality industry and somehow has never been thrown into the spotlight. With almost 20 years in the business, Naomi has bartended, educated, led the Dallas USBG, and continues to be a consummate professional and role model to others. Her latest chapter with CVH Spirits, brings her back to the world of Scotch whisky and with more horsepower than ever. We chat health, gardening, performative questions, and more.

Aidan Marengo is a staple in the San Francisco hospitality scene. His reputation as a nice guy has opened countless doors for his career. And, one fateful evening in Oaxaca caused a new and exciting door to open. Aidan has made the move from SF to Oaxaca to lend a hand for the team at Quiote Mezcaleria Looking for love in all the right places, we chat about rom coms, music, humor and more.