Inside the Barrel: Maestro Tequilero Gilberto Jasso on Tequila Gran Diamante at Salud Amigos Fest

At Salud Amigos Fest, tequila and mezcal lovers gathered to celebrate the depth and diversity of agave spirits. And at the heart of the action was the Mezcal Buzz Media Corner, where we sat down with the people behind the bottles. One of those was Maestro Tequilero Gilberto Jasso of Tequila Gran Diamante, representing NOM 1460 with quiet passion and technical precision.

The Mezcal Buzz Media Corner was proudly brought to you by Cask & Capture—your go-to creative studio for photo, video, podcast, and content production. If you’re a brand ready to tell your story visually, reach out to Cask & Capture today.

The Rare Chance to Meet the Maker

For Gilberto Jasso, participating in Salud Amigos Fest was more than just pouring samples—it was a rare opportunity to step out of the distillery and connect directly with tequila drinkers.

“Normally we’re inside the factory, working for clients. Events like this allow people to see the face behind the bottle.”

It’s not every day you get to meet the person who crafted your tequila. At the festival, that connection added a layer of authenticity that no ad campaign could replicate.

Why Tequila is More Complex Than You Think

When asked about how he communicates the complexity of tequila in a short tasting, Gilberto made something clear: tequila isn’t just a drink—it’s an experience.

“Even blanco tequila—what people call ‘just tequila’—contains hundreds of aromatic compounds. It’s full of life. It has a spirit.”

In fact, Gilberto explained that tequila and mezcal are among the most complex spirits in the world, with more congeners than whiskey, rum, or even most wines. Congeners are the flavor compounds and aromas that define your tasting experience—and each person will perceive them differently.

Gran Diamante: One Tequila, Many Stages

Tequila Gran Diamante, produced at NOM 1460, presents a vertical experience through time. Each of their expressions—blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo—comes from the same distillate, evolving through barrel aging:

• Blanco: The purest expression of the agave, showcasing natural aromas and flavors.
• Reposado: Aged for 9 months, adding layers of oak and spice.
• Añejo: Rested 18 months for complexity and smoothness.
• Extra Añejo: Aged 36 months, offering a luxurious, deep profile.

“It’s like a timeline,” Gilberto says. “You can follow the journey from raw spirit to mature complexity—all from the same tequila.”

What makes Tequila Gran Diamante unique is that it doesn’t use different distillates for each expression. Instead, you taste how time and oak transform a single starting point.

Why Blanco Deserves More Respect

While aged tequilas often steal the spotlight, Gilberto insists that the blanco is where the real magic lies.

“We’re not trained to appreciate blanco, but it holds more aromas than most people realize.”

Barrel aging can mask or enhance flavors—but the blanco is where you meet the tequila at its core. That’s why Gran Diamante starts here: with a blanco so expressive that even without aging, it captures your senses.

Capturing Culture, One Interview at a Time

Thanks to Cask & Capture, the Mezcal Buzz Media Corner brought these conversations to life. From lighting and sound to video editing and storytelling, they specialize in helping agave brands and cultural voices share their message through high-impact content.

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About Tequila Gran Diamante

Tequila Gran Diamante is produced at NOM 1460 in Mexico, representing a meticulous, additive-free process rooted in traditional tequila-making. With a single base distillate aged across blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo expressions, Gran Diamante showcases the natural evolution of tequila over time. It’s a timeline of craftsmanship in every pour.

About Salud Amigos Fest

Salud Amigos Fest is a California agave spirits festival, curated by the team at LA Tequila Club. Held at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, the event features dozens of tequila and mezcal brands, cultural programming, tastings, and live entertainment.

About LA Tequila Club

LA Tequila Club is a vibrant community of agave spirit lovers based in Los Angeles. Through curated tastings, brand collaborations, and immersive events, the club brings together tequila and mezcal fans to learn, sip, and connect around the growing world of Mexican spirits.

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