Don Sutcliffe

Tomas with his good friend Don Sutcliffe, creator of "Exceptional" Scotch Whisky at Hi-Times Liquor in Costa Mesa , California, where they have an incredible selection of spirits.

Boogie Bar

 The wild man with me is Yiannis Bozovic, bartender at Boogie Bar in Athens. He is also an incredible magician and does magic tricks behind the bar as well as making magical cocktails.

Athens Bar Show

Tequila Ocho at the 2014 Athens Bar Show

Stavros mixing up some good Ocho margaritas for the guests at the Athens Barshow. Stavros has a dog called Ocho. He got it for his then girlfriend and now they share it. Ocho has real class and character. I know since I've seen him. 

Stavros is a professional both in technique and in service.

Tomas presenting to the Athens Bar guests on Agave Spirits. There is a good level of cocktailing going on in Greece and the market for Agave Spirits is strong. Maybe it is that the Mediterranean climate and culture suits enjoying agave spirits?

Tomas presenting to a select group on the basics of 'terroir' as it applies to agave, tequila and specifically to Tequila Ocho. Two different "Ranchos" were tasted to compare and contrast the examples.

Stavros and the bar team had a good crowd of thirsty Greeks wanting an Ocho margarita. 

Hong Kong

Group photo after our session at Aberdeen St Social

On a recent magical trip to Hong Kong son Jesse and I did a presentation on Agave Spirits at the Aberdeen Street Social organized by our friend Neil Rivington. It was very rewarding to share ideas with the assembled bartenders, managers and owners. The level of expertise and enthusiasm is high in this unique city.

After the presentation which included tequila -including a tasting of Ocho- Neil told us the story
below , in his own words.

"During my time @ Shoreditch House in London in 2007- when we got busy/slammed at the bar, one bartender would shout out, "Ocho time!" Then someone would proceed to pour shots for all on the bar. This would continue through the night 'Ocho got us through' ".

Some tequila Ocho fun after the masterclass, at Chachawan

Barcelona Tequila Masterclass

A short video taken at our recent masterclass in Ocaña, Barcelona:

Don Javier in La Capilla

Don Javier in La Capilla

we come and sit

 in his presence,

in the moment

that is all there is,

our faces turned to

and radiating

his benevolence,

glowing, connected

we have come to be

with him

and he is there for us

all that there is is complete

in this magic space

Curado cried Wolf

 Curado cried Wolf

  50ml Ocho Curado

  7.5ml Wolfschmidt Kummel

  5ml Noilly Pratt

  10 Drops Bob's Lavender Bitters

Wash ice with vermouth & discard. Stir down remaining ingredients. 

Serve straight up with Lime twist.

Created by Peter Rawlings at La Raza in Cambridge, UK. 


Pete explained his inspiration for the drink:

"When we were doing the tasting I noticed how the Curado had some lighter floral and fruity notes, whilst still remaining very vegetal. I really enjoyed this quality to Curado, so I tried to create a drink playing on this, to highlight the qualities of Curado, without drowning the product.

Unlike the boy who cried wolf, with this drink there's no pretending!"