Joey Angelo on Agave Spirits for Cinco de Mayo

Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon

"It's about just everybody getting together in community and having fun." – Joey Angelo

Welcome Joey Angelo

It’s Cinco De Mayo agave spirits have finally overtaken Vodka for #1 selling liquor. How and why did this happen? We’re joined on the Starline by a man who knows his wine and spirits. He’s spent more than 20 years selling, owning and enjoying spirits. He’s the founder of sipMARGS and Su Casa Mezcal let’s welcome Joey Angelo.

Joey, let’s go Beyond the Mic. If you ask a person to name a vodka or tequila, they’d probably name a dozen off the top of their heads. But other than a celebrity mezcal like Dos Hombres or Teremana people couldn’t name it let alone spell it. Why is name recognition lacking in the smoky flavored beverage?

Sales for tequila have nearly doubled from the pandemic to today. Nearly $3 billion while mezcal while have increased from $24M to $60M. What caused the obsession with the margaritas and more since the pandemic?

Agave spirits are more known for use with Mexican food. You love to cook Italian food, so how do you work in agave spirits with non-traditional food combos?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Best 90’s hip hop album of all time?

2. Best and worst place you’d have to call on when you worked for Empire Merchants selling spirits?

3. Your product Viva XXXII Tequila had a portion of its sales go to animal protection charities, why is your black Havanese dog Biggie so important to you?

4. Which hurt more, breaking your brother’s two front teeth on a water hose or getting stitches in the eye lid after having an inner tube air valve hit you in the eye?

5.What was your 1st tattoo and where is it?

6. Which is worse, I-95 or Route 1?

7. Who makes better pizzas you or your brother and what’s your best creation?

8. Best WWE match you’ve ever seen live and if you were a wrestler, what would your stage name been?

The Back Half:

How has your views of spirits changed from when you 1st started to today?

Because you lost your mom at a young age being present for your daughter was important for you. As a girl dad, why is your little bug Ava so important for you and as a fitness trainer, what 1 key lesson has she taught you?

You are known as a serial entrepreneur: creating, launching, expanded, selling then starting over. Do you feel you have to continually have this cycle in you to challenge you? Why?

Adversity:

Tell me about your biggest failure and how you overcame that adversity?

How have your dreams changed from when you were younger to today?

Best time in the New York City Half Marathon?

Family is important to you. How have they helped you and supported you on your darkest days and your greatest victories?

You are a founding partner in Rumble Boxing, how has it helped you stay in shape and what do you see in its future?

One Big Question:

How can people change the way they use and see tequila and mezcal in the future?

What’s your next dream?

Where can people find you online?

The Wrap:

He’s living with a NY State of Mind, dreads I-95 and wants you to enjoy tequila and mezcal. Happy Cinco de Mayo to founder of sipMARGS and Su Casa Mezcal Joey Angelo thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.

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