Mexico is a land of contrasts; year-round sunshine, cloud forests, ancient ruins, modern cities..

For something a bit different this week, Read Spear and Carlos Mendez Blas of Tso’ok Rum..

Dozens of categories considered, thousands of bottles tasted, and almost 12 months in the making,

The physicality of the work to produce and distribute rum, even locally, really hit home when we visited Tso’ok in the Sierra Mixe.

An illustration of the goddess Tajëëw—shapeshifter and protector of the mountains for Oaxaca’s Mixe people—adorns the label of Tso’ok