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Showing posts from January, 2020

My Wife Thinks I’m A Nerd

**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** Some background on me. My wife and I met when we were freshman in college at the  American University  in Washington, DC. We are both 47 now, so we basically grew up together. When I was younger, I hated reading. Give me a math problem - no problem. Give me a book - no way! But then I went to law school (yes, I was a lawyer in a past life - don’t hold it against me) and started to appreciate reading, particularly non-fiction. Every time I pick up a book to read, without fail my wife laughs and calls me a nerd. Probably doesn’t help that I need reading glasses now! One of my favorite authors is  Simon Sinek   He has an extremely popular Ted talk called “ How Great Leaders Inspire Action. ” I make all of my employees watch this Ted talk and encourage them to read the full book, " Start With Why ." Years ago, I came across a quote: Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing

Today We Tasted 3 Different Reserva De La Familia’s Side-By-Side

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**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** Today We Tasted 3 Different Reserva De La Familia’s Side-By-Side Today was another typical day at the Elevaso office aka Tequila Tasting Time! If you haven’t figured this out by now… We really enjoy tasting other tequilas and comparing them to Elevaso. It also helps that Ross brought his entire personal collection of tequila into the office – So there really isn’t a tequila we haven’t tried or compared with (major work perk - thanks dude). Jose Cuervo releases a new batch of La Familia every year… and its accompanied with a different looking box that relates to each specific year. The main focus for this tasting was to understand the difference in flavor profile between each batch of Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia . We wanted to see how different each batch of La Familia tasted… Then use that information to compare it to the samples we received of Elevaso Extra Añejo BATCH 2 (Batch 1 is running low, less than 1,000 bottles left).

I Just Drank Patron And It Didn't Suck!

**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** I know the headline is harsh, but let me give you a little history here before you jump down my throat. Like many of you out there my tequila drinking experience started in college with some Cuervo Gold and some major hangovers. After those college years I swore off tequila (along with Southern Comfort and Wild Turkey, but those are stories for a different time). Flash forward years later when my wife's cousin came to town to visit. We were out at a Mexican restaurant and he insisted on me drinking tequila with him. Which tequila you ask? You guessed it - Patron Silver . And the verdict - I liked it. I liked it so much that I stopped drinking scotch and only drank tequila after that day. It was clear that this Patron Silver was not my college tequila. Smooth going down (granted with the help of some sangrita) and no hangover the next day. Add on the fact that I have celiac disease, and while all distilled spirits should be gluten free, scotch left me

Marketing Tequila Is A Tough Business!

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**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** Look, when I got into the tequila business I didn’t think it would be a cakewalk. There are tons of brands out there. A lot of them have been around for a long time and they definitely deserve all of our respect (looking at you Don Julio). Being only 6 months old, we’ve had a lot of success. We have a lot of happy (and very loyal) customers - whether liquor stores, bars, restaurants, or end consumers. The verdict is in on Elevaso and everyone who tries it, loves it! So I’m really proud of our creations. But, it’s like high school out there with the all the clicks! Where are the cheerleaders?!?!  All I’m trying to say is respect the old dogs but don’t be afraid to root for the new guys, even if Michael Jordan hasn’t attached his name to the tequila. Some of us little guys take a lot of care to bring you some really special tequila, i.e. “craft.”  If not for the love of tequila, do it for Vince (our social media guy). After all, he’s the one th

My Family Tuesday Is More Fun Than Your Family Tuesday

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**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** My night started with a stop at Hi-Time liquor store in Costa Mesa with my wife and oldest son. We picked up 11 bottles of Blanco and 10 bottles of Reposado. Don’t judge - there is a purpose behind this! So we get home and decide to taste all the Blanco tequilas and rank them best to worst in our opinion. Like I said our Tuesday nights are more fun than yours! Regardless of the outcome (hint, we all liked Elevaso Blanco the best) the point wasn’t about which tequilas won or lost.  The reason I started Elevaso was because of a love for the complexity of tequila. Unlike any other spirit, there is such a variation in expressions that there is truly something for everyone to enjoy (if they can all get past that Cuervo gold college experience!). I call this concept “TEQurious” - are you TEQurious enough to try new tequilas? Tonight was Blanco night. So many tequilas with so many flavor profiles. Some, like Elevaso, with real agave forward arom

I Can’t Believe You Paid All That Money For That!

**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** I grew up a big boxing fan and when I was younger, Mike Tyson was not only the champ, but the king of pay per view. I remember paying top dollar to wait all night for the Tyson fight. When it finally came on, what would happen? He’d knock his opponent out in the first round. My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, always had the same reaction - “I can’t believe you paid all that money for that!” But she missed the point, watching that was worth every penny! So, last night I had some friends over to watch the McGregor fight. Like all great get togethers with friends and family, it started with some Elevaso. Needless to say, the evening was off to a great start - great friends and great tequila - perfect combo! Then it happened. Not the McGegor 40 second knockout - you all know about that by now. Nah, I’m talking about my wife - “I can’t believe you paid all that money for that!” I Raise My Glass of Elevaso today to my wife. I love you baby, and

Another Man Date?

**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** If you are married or have a serious girlfriend, then chances are you’ve experienced the dreaded “Man Date.” This is when your wife or girlfriend thinks it’s a good idea to go out as couples with one of her girlfriends. So, there you are, going out to dinner with some dude you don’t even know, or barely know. WTF are you going to talk about? WTF do you have in common? Shoot me! But, one of the perks of owning a tequila company is that everyone you meet is interested - even your man date. That conversation leads to drinking which usually leads to a good evening (or at least a bearable one). Here is my advice - nobody wants to hear how you had a fun night drinking patron or 1942, or whatever commercialized drab you currently drink. Experience Elevaso and you’ll have something interesting to talk about. Go to a restaurant that serves Elevaso and you’ll have something to great to drink along with that convo. Or go next level and serve Elevaso at your hous

Mornings In SoCal Don’t Suck

**Shop Elevaso Tequila** It’s January and I know for a lot of you out there waking up in the bitter cold of winter is unpleasant. I grew up in New Jersey and spent the early part of my career in New York City working as an attorney. Walking through the slush in my suit on the upper west side catching the 1&9 train to my office downtown on Maiden Lane - I paid my winter dues! Not trying to rub it in, but here in SoCal it’s 8:30am, around 60 degrees and there is nothing like a walk by the beach to clear your head. The California lifestyle is what’s gotten me healthy and focused. It’s why I was able to create Elevaso and wake up every morning excited to talk about it with anyone willing to listen. In case your didn’t know it already, Elevaso is a combo of the words “Elevar” (to raise) and “Vaso” (glass) - so while I take my morning walk, I raise my glass to each and everyone of you freezing your asses off in whatever cold place you live!! 🥃🥃-Ross Raise Your Glas

Drinking Every Night Doesn't Make Me An Alcoholic!

**SHOP ELEVASO TEQUILA** Every night when I get home from work, I pour myself a drink - Elevaso, of course! Normally Extra Añejo on the rocks (I know some of you are already going to give me shit for not drinking it neat, but after work I like it on a big rock!) My wife knows I enjoy my tequila, but often accuses me of drinking too much. "You really need that drink?" I don't need it, BUT I WANT IT!  Therein lies the difference. It's not like I'm waking up and need a tequila to get my day started. I'm not even drinking to get drunk. I work hard all day putting up with all kinds of bullshit. I truly enjoy my tequila and why shouldn't I enjoy myself!  So, what's my point? Have that drink of Elevaso and enjoy it! This isn't your college tequila - you're not drinking it to get drunk. It’s full of flavor and complexity that is truly enjoyable.  Having an Elevaso each evening doesn't mean you have a problem, no matter what