Tequila Ocho Tasting with Chris Simmons

As we continue along our Spiritual Journey, we would love to invite you to discover the Single Estate approach of Tequila Ocho.

Co-founded by the legendary distiller Carlos Camarena, this is a brand that focuses on terroir, quality, and passion. They are known for crafting delicious tequila without any additives!

We will be joined by the National Agave Spirits Specialist – Chris Simmons

Here is what you will get to taste:

• 2023 Plata – Potrero Grande
• 2023 Reposado – San Jeronimo
• 2020 Anejo – Cerro Grando
• Reposado - Widow Jane Barrel
• Anejo - Widow Jane Barrel
• 2019 -Extra Anejo – La Laja

TLDR? Tequila Ocho – Nom 1474 – Single Estate – Additive Free – Delicious!

A few words about Ocho:

OUR STORY BEGINS IN 2008, WHEN TWO MEN WITH A LOVE FOR AGAVE SPIRITS CAME TOGETHER WITH THE SINGLE GOAL OF PROVING THE CONCEPT OF TERROIR EXISTS IN TEQUILA, INSPIRED BY THE HERITAGE AND PROCESS SURROUNDING FINE WINE. THE FAMED CARLOS CAMARENA, A FIFTH-GENERATION FARMER AND THIRD-GENERATION TEQUILERO TEAMED UP WITH TOMAS ESTES, THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING TEQUILA CULTURE TO EUROPE. TOGETHER, THEY DEVELOPED A TEQUILA THAT IS THE PUREST EXPRESSION OF THE BLUE WEBER AGAVE; THUS, TEQUILA OCHO WAS BORN.

Ocho co-founder and master distiller is the legendary Carlos Camarena, a 5th generation agave farmer and 3rd generation tequilero. In fact, it was his great-grandfather who was credited with bringing blue agave to the Highlands of Jalisco, an incredible feat for tequileros in Mexico. Carlos’ trade by nature is agronomy, so he knows the land better than anyone. His passion for family, the land and agave has allowed him to flourish into one of the most respected tequila makers in the world.

Tomas Estes was a bar and restaurant owner for over 45 years, having founded the Pacifico Group in 1976. During that time, Tomas also worked to promote tequila, agave spirits and Mexican culture in Europe and across the world, and as a result was named the official Tequila Ambassador to Europe by the Mexican National Tequila Chamber. In 2012 he published a seminal book on tequila, “The Tequila Ambassador,” widely viewed at that time as the definitive work on the subject of tequila. He received Lifetime Achievement awards from CLASS, Theme, FIBAR and the ISC, among others. Tomas exuded love and respect in all that he did, and his passion for tequila shone brightly. He is deeply missed by all of our team and by many around the world.

Through our exploration of terroir in tequila, we are reminded of the parallel experiences that exist in your glass and on your plate – both expressions of the surrounding environment and the raw materials that come together to craft something real, raw, and authentic. And so, we look at terroir as the essence of time and place beyond the glass.

Thus, Taste of Terroir was born, a documentary series exploring the impact terroir has on the foods we eat, the tequila we drink, and the cultural moments we share. Told in a four-episode journey, we sing the song of our beloved spirit, the land where it comes from, and its enjoyment alongside inspiring gastronomic dishes. And as the official tequila partner of The World’s 50 Best*, the story of terroir continues. Together, we celebrate those in the culinary space who create one-of-a-kind dining experiences while maintaining the integrity of the very raw materials that started it all.

The journey starts now.

About Chris Simmons:

Chris Simmons
National Agave Spirits Specialist

After being raised on the flatlands of South Dakota, Chris Simmons wrestled at the Division One level for Boston University before launching his career in the hospitality field. After a dozen years in the Northeast, he moved his young family to San Diego where his son was born. It was in America’s Finest
City, just a stone’s throw away from the Mexican border, where his passion for Tequila and other agave spirits began to take shape.
Through years of bartending and making his way through the ranks of restaurant and hotel management and operations, Simmons focused on building world class bar programs and profitable restaurants.
Taking a job at the prestigious Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa in 2012, he curated his first large scale agave program and launched the All Agave Club. Then, as the General Manager of The Patio on
Goldfinch and later as the Director of Food and Beverage for celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey, Simmons created and facilitated the Agave Dinner Series. These popular and well-regarded agave and food pairing events often featured award-winning chefs from Southern California and Baja, Mexico, including the likes of Javier Plascencia, Drew Deckman, Flor Franco, and Miguel Angel Guerrero, along with Master Distillers from Mexico, including Carlos Camarena, Tomas Estes, Guillermo Sauza, Pepe Hermosillo, and others.
In 2017, Simmons joined forces with business partner Alan Ezeir and founded Sipping Life, an agave-centric company focused on providing professional level tastings throughout the U.S. as well as guided tours to Mexico.
Chris has earned his Level Two Master Mezcalier certification and is a Certified Catador, obtaining his title from the Mexican Academy of Tequila Tasters led by the highly respected Francisco Hajnal. He has also earned Sommelier certifications through the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). He now travels the U.S. and Mexico, working as the National Agave
Spirits Specialist for Samson & Surrey. In this role, he represents Tequila Ocho and Mezcal Vago as each brand’s National Ambassador.

____________________________________________________________________________

As always, the samples are complementary when you sign up for the experience.

In person handoff/pickups are encouraged.

We have pickup locations in:

• Burbank
• Culver City
• Due to my travel schedule - Torrance and Bellflower pickup not available at this time

If you select "Local Pickup" please reach out to us so we can connect you with with your local group.

Shipping is possible but we are not responsible for loss, damage or delays once packages are tendered to the shipping service or its designated representative.

International shipping is not available at this time.

*We may share your contact information with the brand. By signing up for this event you agree to allow us to do that*