--- product_id: 438878761 title: "Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals" brand: "gary nabhan ph.d., david suro piñera" price: "R1446" currency: ZAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/438878761-agave-spirits-the-past-present-and-future-of-mezcals store_origin: ZA region: South Africa --- # Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals **Brand:** gary nabhan ph.d., david suro piñera **Price:** R1446 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals by gary nabhan ph.d., david suro piñera - **How much does it cost?** R1446 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/438878761-agave-spirits-the-past-present-and-future-of-mezcals) ## Best For - gary nabhan ph.d., david suro piñera enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted gary nabhan ph.d., david suro piñera brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description An acclaimed ethnobotanist and a pioneering restaurateur beautifully capture the unparalleled diversity and distinctiveness of artisanal mezcals The agave plant was never destined to become tasteless, cheap tequila. Follow Gary Nabhan and David Suro Pinera on the trail with archaeologists and botanists to caves where 9,000-year-old remains of agaves have been found, and then fast track to the 1990s, the peak of the “margarita craze,” before a deadly cocktail of microbes devastated blue agave plants on Mexican lands. Culled from decades of fieldwork and interviews with mezcaleros in eight Mexican states, Agave Spirits reveals the stunning innovations emerging today across the mezcal supply chain and offers solutions for improving sustainability and equity. Thousands of years of tradition are inspiring a new generation of individuals (including women), with an explosion of cutting-edge science pointing a way forward for the betterment of the drink and the lives of the people who create it. Agave Spirits boldly delights in the most flavourful and memorable spirits humankind has ever sipped and savoured. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Dimensions | 16.26 x 2.79 x 23.62 cm | | Isbn 10 | 0393867102 | | Isbn 13 | 978-0393867107 | | Item Weight | 363 g | | Language | English | | Print Length | 256 pages | | Publication Date | 30 Jun. 2023 | | Publisher | WW Norton & Co | ## Images ![Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/714gsY+r1kL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ottimo *by on Reviewed in Italy 3 February 2026* Ottimo libro per scoprire il passato presente e futuro di tutto il mondo agave ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommended for anyone who drinks mezcal *by on Reviewed in the United States 26 July 2025* Book Review: AGAVE SPIRITS: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals by Gary Paul Nabham and David Suro PineraThis book has been described as a manifesto—in fact, there’s an actual manifesto in the appendix. Maybe it’s just me, but the word manifesto feels a little… loaded. It’s usually associated with either wild-eyed right-wingers like Ted Kaczynski or ultra-left revolutionaries in berets. So I had to ask myself: is this going to be a well-researched, fair, balanced take on mezcal—or an angry rant in paperback form? Naturally, I had to read it to find out.The good news? The authors are clearly passionate about mezcal, and it shows. Early on, they write, “Good mezcal is not measured merely by the proof of its alcohol or its price, but by how memorable its tastes and stories can be.” Preach. That’s true of all great booze—mezcal is no different.Better yet, these folks know their stuff. I learned a ton. For instance, there are more than 215 species of agave used in mezcal production. That’s a staggering number. I also learned about pechugas—mezcals made by hanging animal parts or plants in the still, like turkey breasts (yes, seriously). Apparently, rattlesnakes and iguanas make their way into the still too. I can’t help but wonder what those taste like… or if I want to find out.The deep dive into the word jimador was another highlight. I’d always known it referred to agave harvesters, but the book unpacks its meaning further—and notes that the word doesn’t appear in other Spanish dialects. Mezcal vocabulary is rich, and this book does a great job exploring it.There’s also a useful section on tequila. The top five brands by volume—Jose Cuervo, Patrón, Sauza, 1800, and Hornitos—are name-checked, but the authors point readers toward Mexican-owned, additive-free producers like Fortaleza (a fan favorite), Tapatío, Cascahuín, 7 Leguas, and G4. Basically, if you want the real stuff, skip the celebrity endorsements and head straight for the good bottles.One of the strongest stances in the book is the authors’ opposition to diffusers, a controversial industrial method for extracting sugars from agave. They clearly advocate for traditional production methods, and their arguments are compelling.The book also doesn’t shy away from some of the harder conversations around mezcal—worker treatment, monoculture, and declining biodiversity. The authors go as far as advocating for universal healthcare for agave industry workers. Is that outside the typical scope of a spirits book? Absolutely. But hey, this is a manifesto. And while the average drinker probably doesn’t think much about labor conditions or biodiversity when ordering a mezcal margarita, I’m glad the authors raise the issues. Farming is hard, and mezcal is no exception.Climate change looms large in the discussion as well. The book doesn’t pretend to take a neutral tone here, and honestly, it doesn’t have to. While their perspective borders on alarmist at times, the challenges are real and worth writing about.If you’re looking for a deep, detailed look at mezcal—how it’s made, where it comes from, what matters—this book delivers. The authors may go a little overboard in places, but I agree with their take on most of the problems and some of the solutions. That said, I still believe market forces will ultimately determine who succeeds in this industry.Verdict: Highly recommended for anyone who drinks mezcal, wants to drink better mezcal, or just likes reading about people who really care about what they’re drinking. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ sumamente interesante *by on Reviewed in Mexico 27 June 2023* LIbro fácil de leer, con un contenido muy interesante y fundamentado, habla de todo tipos de agaves, su importancia, que es lo que pasa en la actualidad con estas plantas y sus destilados, desde su historia en el planeta, como han sido utilizados por cientos de años y como ahora está sufriendo por este "boom" mundial de tequilas y mezcales.es una exploración profunda y con amplio conocimiento sobre el tema, un trabajo de muchos años contenido en un libro. ## Frequently Bought Together - Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals - The Essential Tequila & Mezcal Companion: How to Select, Collect & Savor Agave Spirits - A Cocktail Book - A Field Guide to Tequila: What It Is, Where It’s From, and How to Taste It --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/438878761-agave-spirits-the-past-present-and-future-of-mezcals](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/438878761-agave-spirits-the-past-present-and-future-of-mezcals) --- *Product available on Desertcart South Africa* *Store origin: ZA* *Last updated: 2026-10-26*