Tequila Mezcal Challenge
The Tequila Mezcal Challenge is conducted double-blind by a seasoned panel of beverage professionals.
Our judging panel consists of sommeliers, retail buyers, journalists, mixologists, and beverage directors. All judges undergo a calibration class designed to maintain consistent evaluation and scoring of all spirits.
This year our judges are excited to be back together for a live in-person competition as COVID restrictions
have been eliminated.
2024 Tequila Mezcal Challenge
November 9-10, 2024
2024 Competition Chairs
Christopher J. Davies
Co-Founder, Chairman
Wine Country Network, Inc
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
-Wine Country International® Magazine
-The World Book of Whisky Magazine
Beverage Competitions Director & Senior Judge
Darcy R. Davies
Co-Founder, President
Wine Country Network, Inc
Wine Editor and Art Director
Competition Operations Director
WSET Level II Candidate
Larry Wilcox- Lead Judge & Panel Chair-USA
Executive Sommelier of Spirits
Master of Wine Candidate and Executive Sommelier of Wine
President of Top Shelf Liquor Consulting, LLC
Multi-year judge: Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and The Global Whisky Challenge.
Senior Judges
Daniel Rodríguez- Senior Judge- Mexico
Director of Education
Agave Spirits Institute
CMS – Certified Sommelier
IWSG – Fine Spirits Sommelier
IWSG – Certified Executive Wine Sommelier
IWSG – Certified Senior Wine & Spirits Instructor
Nicolas Post - Senior Judge - USA & Table Captain
Master of Wine, Wine and Spirits Educator,
Hops Grower, and Professional Wine & Spirit's Judge
Multi-year judge: Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and
The Global Whisky Challenge.
Oscar A. Montes Iga- Senior Judge-USA
Master of Agave Spirits
ASI Director of Alumni Relations, Agave Spirits Institute Guild
Certified Senior Wine & Spirits Instructor
Guild Certified Executive Wine & Spirits Sommelier
Certified Spirits Judge | WSET Advanced
Guild Certified Spirits Professional | Certified Specialist of Spirits
Charles (Ted) Palmer - Senior Judge - USA & Table Captain
Former Founder, President & Head Distiller of Vapor Distillery
and Round House Spirits, Boulder, Colorado.
Multi-year judge: Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and The Global Whisky Challenge.
John Haven - Senior Judge - USA
Mr. Haven is an independent Beverage Professional, Certified Beverage Professional, Connoisseur, and Collector of Fine Spirits.
Multi-year judge: Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and The Global Whisky Challenge.
Pro Judges
Eric Anderson – Pro Judge USA
Food & Beverage Purchasing Director, and Professional Spirits Judge
Colorado Area Procurement Director for Hyatt Hotels since 2021.
Multi-year judge: Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and The Global Whisky Challenge.
Jay Scoggins – Pro Judge USA
Founder of Whiskey Colorado, the state’s preeminent source for information on Colorado Distilleries, Whiskey Festivals, and Whiskey Tourism in Colorado. Former Assistant Distiller for Stranahan’s Distillery, Denver.
Multi-year judge: Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and The Global Whisky Challenge.
Alexandra (Allie) Geppert- Pro Judge USA
Food & Beverage Professional, Mixologist
Owner of Mandala Strategies
Multi-year judge: Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and The Global Whisky Challenge.
Jakim J. Noske, CSS- Pro Judge USA
Food & Beverage Professional
Certified Specialist of Spirits, Certified Cicerone
Sales Representative for Classic Beverage
Spirits Judge (2019 to present): Denver International Spirits Competition, Tequila Mezcal Challenge, North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and The Global Whisky Challenge.
Please note: This list is building. We expect to add more judges soon.
