Your Guide to Planning a Mexican Adventure with David Trampe
"It started with a question, a bewildered 'What the f*** is this?"

In 2009, a random bottle of Vida mezcal, procured by my friend Jens, ignited a fire within me. That fire, I now know, was the 'agave virus,' and it's been burning strong ever since. My name is David Trampe, and I'm from Botanero in Rotterdam. My life's mission, if you can call it that, is to spread the gospel of Mexico's incredible agave distillates."

Diving into Mexico
"That first taste sent me on a quest. I had to know everything. Luckily, I already had a good relationship with Bart from Bart's Bottles, and that has been a long lasting friendship. And so began my many journeys to Mexico, to learn directly from the source. My initial invitation from Ron Cooper was a whirlwind, a four-day immersion that left me craving more. With little more than a handful of phone numbers, I ventured into the vastness of Mexico. And vast it is.

What struck me immediately was the contrast. Here in the Netherlands, we have so much, yet sometimes feel we have so little. In Mexico, people live with far less material wealth, but their lives are overflowing with richness. The hospitality, the warmth, the sheer ingenuity of how they create extraordinary spirits with the simplest tools – wood, copper, clay, an axe, and a barrel – it's truly inspiring.

The diversity of agave distillates is mind-blowing. The same plant, yet each region, each producer, imparts its own unique character. Terroir, the master's touch, those subtle nuances – they make all the difference. But the landscape is changing. What was once a tradition passed down through generations is now, for some, a business. The challenge is discerning the authentic from the manufactured."

Travel Tips: Embracing the Mexican Pace
"If you're planning a trip to Mexico, leave your preconceptions at the door. Embrace the chaos, because that's part of the magic. Time, as we know it, doesn't quite exist in Mexico. It's more of a suggestion. If you need to be somewhere on time, give yourself an extra hour and a half.

A word of advice: start with tequila, then move on to mezcal. I learned this the hard way. Tequila can be deceptively easy to drink after mezcal.
Just go with the flow, let the spirit guide you. You'll find yourself in the most unexpected and wonderful places.And when you're visiting a palenque, be respectful. Be quiet, be humble. Eat what they offer you, even if it's unfamiliar. It's a gesture of hospitality, a sign of respect. And try your best to speak Spanish, even if it’s ‘mezcal Spanish’. It shows you care, and it opens doors.

Finally, remember you are a European, not a “greengo” or “gringo”. There is a difference, and it is appreciated."

The good type of virus
"Mexico has changed me. It's taught me the value of humility, the importance of tradition, and the beauty of simplicity. The 'agave virus' has no cure, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Go to Mexico, experience it for yourself. Let the spirit guide you. You won't be disappointed."

written with: @david_trampe
picture credit: @moonshots.jpeg

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