Latest news with #Jalisco
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Is So Special About Tahona Tequila?
A heavy volcanic stone wheel, or tahona, is a traditional tool to crush agave and imparts a unique profile to the tequila it helps produce. The tequila category has exploded over the past decade, with global sales surging more than 60% since 2016 and U.S. consumption alone growing by 302% since 2006, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the US. But amid all the celebrity-backed bottles and high-speed production, there remains a small but passionate corner of the industry committed to traditional methods. One of the oldest among those techniques is the use of a tahona—a two-ton volcanic stone wheel—to crush agave. At La Alteña Distillery in Jalisco, which has been active since 1937, El Tesoro remains one of the few brands in Mexico to use the tahona exclusively. After the piñas, or hearts, of the agave plants are cooked, the tahona rolls over the agave to crush it. Many producers blend tahona-crushed juice with extract from more modern roller mills, or liquid from diffusers, which use hot water under high pressure to extract sugars. El Tesoro's commitment to this labor-intensive method is both practical and deeply personal. 'The tahona stone is what sets us apart from most other tequila producers in Mexico,' said Jenny Camarena, El Tesoro's new Master Distiller. 'There are only a handful of others who use this method. It's what has always been done for El Tesoro, and it has helped me decipher and detect El Tesoro in a blind tasting.' Flavor is a major reason the method persists. Tahona crushing preserves the nuance of the roasted agave, which generates the sugars that contribute to fermentation. This in turn leads to a spirit rich in earthy and cooked notes with a unique mouthfeel. 'I know what a tahona-crushed agave spirit tastes like every time – the cooked agave flavors I get like sweet potato, tamarind, baked plantains, caramel and grilled apricots are preserved, not zapped,' Camarena explained. 'The stone itself leaves a gentle earthiness and mineral character.' In the wider tequila market, flavoring has also been at the center of a recent, high-profile lawsuit. Diageo—parent company of Casamigos and Don Julio and one of the top beverage conglomerates by market cap—has recently been targeted by a class action suit over claims that their '100% agave' label is misleading and leaves room for the use of additives. Diageo disputes the claims. Still, an ongoing back-and-forth could leave an opening for tequilas that back up their flavor with demonstrated, traditional methods. Even beyond flavor, the tahona is a symbol of El Tesoro's philosophy. The stopper on the brand's bottles are even made out of a tiny stone shaped like a tahona. 'It's like our special tool, our symbol, that has been there since the distillery first opened,' Camarena says. 'It has seen us through the years, it knows the stories of La Alteña.' From a business standpoint, tahona-based production is likely one of the least efficient methods of extracting sugars from agave, and the lengthy process is often traded out in favor of scale. In fact, replacing a tahona—especially the one in use, which is as old as La Alteña itself—wouldn't be easy. El Tesoro's tahona is as old as their distillery itself, which was founded in 1937. While the current stone could last another 20 to 25 years, a backup plan is already in place. 'I do know a person who got a stone for a project and never used it and that is willing to give it to me, just in case,' Camarena said. 'El Tesoro would not be El Tesoro without the tahona stone.' In a landscape chasing efficiency, using a tahona to make tequila is a reminder that a faster process isn't necessarily better.
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
Bling-loving ‘king of porn' Alex Marin, 37, ARRESTED for ‘forcing underage girlfriend into making explicit videos'
THE self-proclaimed "King of Porn" has been arrested for allegedly forcing his underage girlfriend into making sex tapes. Alex Marin, 37, who flaunts his luxury lifestyle and glam girlfriends online, was cuffed in the Mexican city of Jalisco this week. 5 5 5 The authorities claim the porn baron, pushing 40, lured a 16-year-old girl into a relationship with him and coerced her into making explicit videos. Marin, real name Alejandro Marn Ramrez, was arrested by cops from the city's state prosecutor on Wednesday and remains in custody. Officials say he will be charged with human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor. The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, said the case was being taken incredibly seriously. He said: "The detainee, identified as Alejandro N., is now at the disposal of the judge to face the charges against him. "In Jalisco, we take the protection of women and minors very seriously." Creepy-looking Marin is notorious in Mexico as the self-styled "King of Porn". He would post daily nauseating pics of himself cosying up with women in skimpy outfits. The sex-mad influencer often boasted of having seven girlfriends - one for each day of the week. He regularly featured in his home-made porn vids alongside the women. Twisted revenge porn gangs are trading nude snaps of women as young as 16 & catfishing victims to order for perv's 'hit lists' in YOUR area Marin acted and directed in his own productions, which he usually shared through his company Solobellezas - meaning "only beauties". Shortly before his arrest he had posted pics from a party in Toluca, central Mexico, bragging about a new event. The age of sexual consent in Jalisco is 16 - but Mexican federal law defines it as 18. This is observed particularly when exploitation or abuse of power is involved. 5 5 That means any sexual activity involving an under-18 when these are at play can still result in prosecution. If convicted, Marin could face between 10 and 25 years in jail. Marin first hit headlines when, in his mid-twenties, he married a 17-year-old, Mia. The pair were wedded for 12 years before announcing their split in February 2024. He started off as a systems engineer but claims to have since grown his business into a global empire spanning Mexico, Spain, Colombia and Italy. Marin was previously caught on camera brawling with a man on the street - as his girlfriend clung to him and begged him to stop.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Eight Mexican soldiers killed by improvised explosive device
Eight Mexican soldiers have died after triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) in the state of Michoacán, underlining the rising use of mines by organised crime factions. The soldiers were on patrol in an armoured vehicle in the municipality of Los Reyes, near the border with the state of Jalisco, when the mine detonated on Wednesday. Six soldiers were killed instantly, while two more later died from their wounds, according to El Universal. Jalisco's state attorney general has taken charge of the investigation, while a special military taskforce searches the area for more explosive devices. Shortly before the explosion, the army had reported finding and destroying 621 IEDs in Michoacán during operations so far. The border region between Michoacán and Jalisco is the site of a violent struggle between Mexico's most powerful criminal group, the Jalisco New Generation cartel, and local groups that are resisting its incursion into their territory. Various criminal groups have reportedly recruited ex-military personnel from Colombia who are experts in explosives, leading to a proliferation of improvised mines to control territory throughout the region. This incident marks the highest military death toll from an IED since their use took off – but it is not the only one. In December 2024, four soldiers were killed by mines in two incidents in nearby municipalities of Michoacán. And in January that year, four more were killed when an army convoy entered a town in Jalisco. The mines have also claimed civilian lives in Michoacán, from a teacher whose vehicle set off a mine in January, to several lime farmers – including a 15-year-old in February. Aside from using them as mines, criminal groups have also taken to attaching IEDs to drones and dropping them on opponents from above. Overall, according to Mexican military data obtained by Insight Crime, IED seizures have soared from almost none in 2021 to well over 1,000 every year since. Though their use has spread across Mexico, it remains concentrated in the border area between Michoacán and Jalisco, which accounts for roughly 40% of all seizures. The mines have sown terror in the region, contributing to the forced displacement of some communities.
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Inside the Puerto Vallarta airport expansion
Meagan Drillinger Puerto Vallarta's international airport is undergoing a major expansion designed to meet rising tourism demand and elevate the destination's global connectivity. The project, which includes the construction of a second terminal, is expected to double capacity and streamline the travel experience for millions of passengers annually. Terminal 2, 40% complete as of March, is on track for completion by the end of the year. Once operational, the new terminal will increase the airport's capacity to more than 8 million passengers per year. The expansion will add more than 957,000 square feet of infrastructure. According to Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), which operates the airport, the project represents an investment of $187 million. The terminal will feature updated technology, sustainable design elements and improved services to enhance the passenger experience. Puerto Vallarta has experienced record-breaking traffic in recent years. In 2023 and 2024, Puerto Vallarta welcomed more than 6 million visitors. The growing number of international arrivals, particularly from the United States, Canada and Europe, has created an urgent need to scale up infrastructure and services. The expansion also supports broader efforts to diversify Puerto Vallarta's visitor base in order to make Puerto Vallarta more of a year-round destination. "The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board has focused on recent objectives, including a strategy to diversify its visitor base by attracting younger travelers and seeking business from South America and Europe," said Luis Villasenor, director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust. "This approach aims to offset the seasonal fluctuations in demand for the destination." The upgraded airport facilities will include expanded customs and immigration areas, modernized baggage handling, additional gates and upgraded amenities for both leisure and business travelers. Villasenor highlighted other infrastructure projects that are part of a $9.3 million investment in public infrastructure in the state of Jalisco. The projects include widened sidewalks and bike lanes; a new road node north of the airport equipped to handle 116,000 vehicles a day; and a new fleet of eco-friendly, air-conditioned buses that will launch in the second half of 2025. Another government measure to alleviate the city's traffic congestion is to develop two new docks: one in Mismaloya and the other in El Centro. These docks will connect travelers and cargo to the docks in Los Muertos, Boca de Tomatlan, Quimixto and Yelapa.
Travel Daily News
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
American Airlines introduces tequila in flight
American Airlines introduces Socorro Tequila and new snack offerings, enhancing inflight experiences and expanding buy-on-board choices for customers. American Airlines is elevating the inflight experience with a bold, flavorful move – tequila is officially taking to the skies. Customers asked, and American Airlines answered. Starting June 1, the airline will begin offering tequila on select flights as an inflight alcoholic beverage option for eligible customers. For this milestone moment, American knew it wanted to select a brand the airline can connect with beyond the glass, which is why the airline selected Dallas-Fort Worth's own award-winning Socorro Tequila. Socorro Tequila is crafted in the highlands of Jalisco using traditional methods and 100% Blue Weber agave. Known for its clean, additive-free profile, Socorro Tequila delivers a premium flavor that will elevate any journey at 35,000 feet. Tequila will be on board all American flights for customers to sip and enjoy by the end of June. This addition reflects American's ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the customer experience across all touchpoints of the travel journey. New offerings beyond the drink cart The airline continues to serve customer favorites and is expanding its offerings. Starting June 11, customers in premium cabins will be able to enjoy a new midday snack basket in addition to the morning and afternoon snack baskets American already offers. New offerings include: Morning snack basket: Fresh clementine, B'cuz Cherry Pistachio Granola Bites, Think Jerky Free-Range Turkey Stick, Blake's Seed-Based Breakfast Bar +Protein, Bare Organic Apple Chips and Wonderful Sea Salt & Pepper Pistachios Midday snack basket: Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies, Garrett White Cheddar Popcorn, Cooper's Cheese Straws, Cooper Street Granola Bakes, BobbySue's Nuts Everything Goes Nuts and Think Jerky Grass-Fed Beef Stick Afternoon snack basket: Homefree Vanilla Mini Cookies; Miss Vickie's Sea Salt Chips; Over Easy Almond & Raisins Oat Bar; CauliPuffs White Cheddar Corn, Rice and Cauliflower Puffed Snack; Wonderful Sea Salt & Pepper Pistachios; and Think Jerky Grass-Fed Beef Stick Main Cabin customers are also getting new options to choose from with the expansion of American's buy on board offerings launching on select flights starting June 1. They include: A hearty steak and pimento cheese sandwich, bringing bold Southern flavor to the skies Tray table tapas, featuring olives, dried apricots, beef jerky, pistachio, white cheddar dip, pita chips and brownie brittle — perfect for customers who prefer a shareable, snackable experience Brooklyn Biltong Steakhouse Air Dried Beef Jerky, a satisfying, high-protein option ideal for longer flights or quick bites These new selections are in addition to the fruit and cheese tray, the Tostitos Snack Box and Doritos Cool Ranch Minis that are already available for customers to purchase inflight — building on American's commitment to offer more choice and flexibility to all customers, no matter where they are seated. But American is not stopping at new food and alcoholic beverage offerings. The airline is also making buy on board options available for purchase on more flights. Customers will now be able to purchase the new offerings on mainline routes starting at 1,100 miles. Alcoholic beverages will continue to be offered on flights of more than 250 miles. American introduced tap to pay earlier this year, making it easy for customers to pay for their inflight food and alcoholic beverages with the tap of their smartphone, smartwatch or credit card. American gave AAdvantage members even more options with the introduction of miles as form of payment, where members can redeem AAdvantage miles to purchase inflight food and alcoholic beverages. Whether customers are enjoying a premium sip of Socorro or diving into a fresh new snack, American Airlines is delivering an elevated inflight experience that blends local flair, culinary creativity and customer-focused innovation.
