Que Penca is a podcast about all things mezcal. Hosts Fred Sanchez, owner of Cultura Maguey Importing and Chuey Jimenez, founder of the PNW Agave Club, debate anything worth debating over when it comes to the widely popular smoked agave spirit, whether they're swapping bottle recs or sharing deep insight from their professional experiences with mezcal.
What we learned from a week with mezcal producers in Oaxaca
Chuey and Fred reflect on their time in Oaxaca, looking back on their trip to reflect on the importance of mezcal certification and recognizing how different producers' opinions vary drastically depending on their lived experiences. Through discussions around tradition, sustainability, and mezcal's future, they share what listeners can likely expect to hear on future episodes of Que Penca.
3 Jun 2026
Are we over-romanticizing the maestro mezcalero?
In this episode, Chuey, Fred, and Adriana Correa, of Cuish and Agua del Sol talk about the deep importance of the maestro mezcalero as more than a distiller but also as a steward of culture and tradition. And further, we examine the westernization of this figure as a "someone worth saving" — In other words, the savior complex that remains in U.S. culture years past the era of colonization. We also talk producer mentions on the bottle. Yeah, you'll want to pour yourself a glass of something nice for this episode.
21 May 2026
Can you taste the difference between commercial and authentic mezcal?
In the second season of Que Penca in Oaxaca, we sat down with 7th generation mezcalero Asis Cortez, who makes the argument that there is a clear distinction between authentic mezcal and commercial mezcal. Filmed from the family-run palenque, Cortez shares his perspective on the global rise of mezcal and how it positively and negatively affected the local market, from the theft of agave plants from their own farm to the need to shift the focus of mezcal production from the "who" of mezcal making, rather than the specifications of each bottle. And, of course, Que Penca's signature "What Am I Drinking?" is supplemented by a bottle provided by Cortes.
5 May 2026
Is Denomination of Origin helpful or exclusivist?
Welcome back to lote 2 of the Que Penca podcast, where Fred and Chuey spent time in Oaxaca to chat directly with the people and producers who help make the mezcal industry possible.
In this episode, they discuss the terms around securing D.O. status and how it positively or negatively impacts the industry. The episode also features a surprise cameo from a female legend in the mezcal world.
15 Jan 2026
Should Mezcal Be in Cocktails — or the Well at All? | Que Penca?!
Is mezcal meant to be sipped, mixed, or protected from the well entirely? In this episode of Qué Penca, Chuey and Fred are joined by LA bartender Moche (@mochesips) to dig into the real bartender game: mezcal vs tequila, well placement, pricing, education behind the bar, and how cocktails shape what guests think agave is supposed to taste like. Less smoke, more nuance — and plenty of disagreement.
Get familiar with Mochehttps://www.instagram.com/mochesips/Learn more about Fred Sanchezhttps://www.instagram.com/mezcalessalvajes/Discover the PNW Agave Clubhttps://www.instagram.com/pnw_agave_club/?---------------Que Penca is a podcast about all things mezcal. Hosts Fred Sanchez, owner of Bad Hombre Importing and Chuey Jimenez, founder of the PNW Agave Club, debate anything worth debating over when it comes to the widely popular smoked agave spirit, whether they're swapping bottle recs or sharing deep insight from their professional experiences with mezcal.Listen to Que Penca on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0GdlLM9q7YxGG8pFOwDaXx?si=9a3cfcdd192844ddListen on Apple Musichttps://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/que-penca/id1856731763---------------Todos Media is a platform celebrating the stories and elevating the voices of BIPOC and Women in our community. Follow Todos Media on our social channels• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/watchtodos/• Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@watchtodos• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLvc57kQ5HnAtZp22pn-NJA
30 Dec 2025
Are Social Media Influencers Promoting or Hurting the Agave Spirits Industry?
Fred Sanchez, owner of Bad Hombre Importing, and Chuey Jimenez, founder of the PNW Agave Club, discuss the role of social media influencers in the agave spirits industry. While some of them may be promoting legitimate brands with valid opinions and expertise, others may be simply monetizing on whoever is paying them as a sponsor. What are your thoughts? In the holiday spirit, Fred and Chuey also share some of their bottle recs to ring in the new year.Learn more about Fred Sanchezhttps://www.instagram.com/mezcalessalvajes/Discover the PNW Agave Clubhttps://www.instagram.com/pnw_agave_club/?
28 Nov 2025
Is Selling Mezcal Outside of Mexico Considered Cultural Appropriation?
In this premiere episode of the Que Penca podcast, we discuss the education and promotion of mezcal outside of Mexico. When it's created and sold outside of Mexico, is it considered cultural appropriation or cultural exchange? Get into this heated debate with our hosts Fred Sanchez, owner of Bad Hombre Importing, and Chuey Jimenez, founder of the PNW Agave Club.
1 Jan 1970
Should we call mezcals by their scientific names?
Que Penca hosts Fred Sanchez, owner of Bad Hombre Importing, and Chuey Jimenez, founder of the PNW Agave Club discuss the use of agave spirits by their scientific names. Does using their scientific names detract from truly understanding and appreciating their inherent qualities, or is it an ode and appreciation of the agave's biodiversity? Take it from both sides, and grab some holiday bottle recs from the guys while you're listening.---------------Learn more about Fred Sanchezhttps://www.instagram.com/mezcalessalvajes/Discover the PNW Agave Clubhttps://www.instagram.com/pnw_agave_club/?---------------Que Penca is a podcast about all things mezcal. Hosts Fred Sanchez, owner of Bad Hombre Importing and Chuey Jimenez, founder of the PNW Agave Club, debate anything worth debating over when it comes to the widely popular smoked agave spirit, whether they're swapping bottle recs or sharing deep insight from their professional experiences with mezcal.Listen to Que Penca on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0GdlLM9q7YxGG8pFOwDaXx?si=9a3cfcdd192844ddListen on Apple Musichttps://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/que-penca/id1856731763---------------Todos Media is a platform celebrating the stories and elevating the voices of BIPOC and Women in our community. Follow Todos Media on our social channels• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/watchtodos/• Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@watchtodos• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLvc57kQ5HnAtZp22pn-NJA
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