On Saturday, July 26th, the Tequila Aficionado crew descended upon Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA, for one of the most vibrant celebrations of agave spirits we’ve ever experienced: the Salud Amigos! Tequila & Mezcal Fest. And let us tell you — this was not your average spirits tasting event. It was an immersive, heart-pounding, palate-pleasing fiesta from start to finish.

A Toast to Tradition & Innovation

Moché and David Martinez of Mochesips providing the welcome cocklalis

The moment we walked in, we were greeted with a custom-crafted welcome cocktail created by Moché of Mochesips – the perfect way to set the tone. From there, it was a whirlwind of unlimited samplings, photobooth snapshots, and conversations with some of the most respected names in the industry. Imagine sipping small-batch tequilas with the actual maestros and maestras tequileras who made them — yes, it was that kind of party.

Salud Amigos isn’t just about the pour — it’s about the people behind the pour. The presence of Master Distillers like Iliana Partida, Jimmy Villalobos Sauza, Chava Rosales, Fany Camarena, Monse Arzate, and many more added an incredible depth to the experience. These legends of liquid artistry shared not just their spirits but their stories during their Master Class sessions, turning every tasting into a meaningful moment.

XR Meets Jalisco: Tech Meets Tradition

Sofia Partida of Laelia Tequila sharing a tasting moment with Tony Garcia of Rodeo de las Aguas.

One of the most impressive features? The Extended Reality (XR) Agave Experience. We were digitally transported to the fields of Jalisco and Oaxaca without ever leaving Long Beach. With immersive tech, we walked virtual agave fields, toured distilleries, and soaked up the vibrant culture of tequila country in a way that was as jaw-dropping as it was educational.

Salud Amigos isn’t just about the pour — it’s about the people behind the pour.

González Gutiérrez, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles, helped launch the festivities – a powerful reminder of the cultural importance of these spirits and the people who make them.

Star Power & Sweet Sounds

As if the endless agave wasn’t enough, the night turned up the heat with a live performance by two-time Latin Grammy winner Lorenzo Méndez, whose energy was as smooth and bold as the extra añejo in our glass. Dancing, laughter, and cheers filled the raised copas to a night well spent.

A Moment of Recognition

We were especially proud to present Pepe Martinez, the founder of Salud Amigos, with his Tequila Aficionado Consumer Catador Course Certification. After completing the course under the guidance of our Education Director and Master Catador Mike Morales, it was an honor to finally award Pepe his well-deserved credentials — and to do it in front of his peers and industry family made it all the more special.

Alex Perez, Pepe Martinez, Mike Morales,

Final Sips

From meticulous planning to flawless execution, the Salud Amigos team had all their bases covered. It was an event that honored tradition, celebrated community, and pushed the envelope in innovation. We laughed, we learned, we sipped a lot — and loved every moment of it.

We caught up with old friends, made some amazing new ones, and left feeling more connected to the agave world than ever before. Congratulations to the dynamic duo, Pepe and Ale Martinez, along with their entire crew. Salud Amigos has set a new bar for what a tequila and mezcal festival can be, and we can’t wait to see what they serve up next year.
Until then…Salud, amigos!