{"id":25906,"date":"2025-10-24T08:44:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T05:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bitterbooze.vfhost.gr\/?p=25906"},"modified":"2026-03-08T13:57:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T11:57:30","slug":"respect-for-the-plant-respect-for-time-enrique-de-colsa-and-the-philosophy-behind-the-lost-explorer-tequila","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/respect-for-the-plant-respect-for-time-enrique-de-colsa-and-the-philosophy-behind-the-lost-explorer-tequila\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cRespect for the plant, respect for time\u201d: Enrique de Colsa and the philosophy behind The Lost Explorer tequila"},"content":{"rendered":"

Legendary maestro tequilero Enrique de Colsa discusses his collaboration with The Lost Explorer, the philosophy behind its first tequila, and why true craftsmanship begins with respect, for the agave and for time itself.<\/h4>\n

With more than two decades at the helm of production for one of the world\u2019s most respected tequila<\/a> brands, Enrique de Colsa<\/strong> has earned \u2014per se\u2014 the industry\u2019s esteem through consistency, stability, and genuine innovation. And he\u2019s done so in a category that, over the past few years, has captured the full spotlight of global attention. Just a few months ago, de Colsa<\/strong> took on the \u201ctechnical leadership\u201d of The Lost Explorer<\/strong> team, crafting its very first tequila, a piece of news that made quite a stir when it broke. He was recently in Greece, where I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with him.<\/p>\n

The Lost Explorer<\/strong> was founded in 2016 by David Mayer de Rothschild<\/strong> as an environmentally conscious mezcal brand. Its philosophy embraced sustainable cultivation, social responsibility, and respect for both community and environment. It all started with three distinct mezcal expressions from Oaxaca, each made from a different agave species: Espad\u00edn (Agave angustifolia), Tobal\u00e1 (Agave potatorum), and Salmiana (Agave salmiana).<\/p>\n

\"The

\u0391\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03bf \u03b9\u03b2\u03ad\u03bd\u03c4 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 brand \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u0391\u03b8\u03ae\u03bd\u03b1<\/p><\/div>\n

Before the brand even reached its tenth year, the decision was made to expand into the highly competitive tequila market. Enrique de Colsa<\/strong> was the obvious choice. He joined not merely as maestro tequilero but as a creative partner in the project \u2014since, as he confides, he had already developed a complete plan for a Lowlands tequila, something he had long envisioned: a spirit made in a distillery dedicated solely to its production, free from the multi-brand setups that dominate most Mexican facilities. When The Lost Explorer<\/strong> heard of his concept, they invited him to bring it to life together \u2014and so they did.<\/p>\n

I had the chance to taste The Lost Explorer Tequila Blanco Edici\u00f3n No.1<\/strong> at a recent event hosted in Athens by Dynamiki S.A.<\/strong><\/a>, which de Colsa attended in person, flying in from Mexico. Believe me, it wasn\u2019t just a refreshing contrast to the many new tequilas flooding the market, rather a remarkable expression of an agave distillate. De Colsa<\/strong> describes it as an authentic tequila that highlights the raw agave and the mineral character of the Lowlands terroir, with a subtle sweet-spiced finish.<\/p>\n\"The\n

He underlines that both in tequila and mezcal production, The Lost Explorer<\/strong> follows a unifying principle: deep respect for nature and for the time it takes an agave plant to mature \u2014whether seven or twenty years. That respect translates into a ”duty” to preserve and express the plant\u2019s original aromas and flavors through the brand\u2019s spirits. \u201cIt tastes like tequila should taste,\u201d<\/em> he says, quoting the reaction of many who have tried the new release: \u201csabe a lo que debe saber el tequila.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

If that sounds like a bold claim, it isn\u2019t. In recent years, the tequila market \u2014driven by demand and not always by integrity\u2014 has become crowded with products that, frankly, don\u2019t taste much like tequila. This phenomenon has sparked one of the industry\u2019s biggest debates in decades: the controversy over permitted additives and the rise of the \u201cadditive-free\u201d movement. When I asked whether this debate has helped or harmed the category and consumers\u2019 perception of it, de Colsa was clear:
\n”Additives have always been allowed in tequila production. The problem now is the abuse of them. That\u2019s why all our products are additive-free.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\"The

Enrique de Colsa \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u0393\u03b9\u03ac\u03bd\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2 \u039a\u03bf\u03c1\u03bf\u03b2\u03ad\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2<\/p><\/div>\n

Another recurring topic is the sustainability of tequila production \u2014especially given rising demand and the monoculture nature of agave farming. De Colsa<\/strong> acknowledges that it\u2019s difficult to speak for the entire industry, since every company knows its own limits and capabilities. Yet he affirms that The Lost Explorer<\/strong> is firmly committed to keeping all its processes truly sustainable.<\/p>\n

When I ask about the label Edici\u00f3n No.1<\/strong> and whether it hints at future releases, he explains that the numbering was initially meant to visually align with the mezcal range, all of which carry edition numbers. As for what\u2019s next, he smiles: a Reposado is already finished, though not yet released, beyond that, he won\u2019t say more.<\/p>\n

Throughout our conversation, Enrique de Colsa<\/strong> remains calm, approachable, and grounded \u2014the kind of humility that comes from years spent in the fields and besides the still. Yet he also carries the easy confidence of someone at home among people, the natural charm of a man who has traveled widely for his craft. When I ask where he believes a spirit\u2019s reputation is truly earned \u2014in the field, the distillery, or out in the world exploring new markets\u2014 his answer comes without hesitation: \u201cIn the field and the distillery. That\u2019s where all the magic happens.\u201d<\/em> Still, he adds, sharing those creations with others is a rewarding way to pass on one\u2019s passion.<\/p>\n

\"The

\u039f Enrique de Colsa \u03c3\u03c4\u03b1 \u039c\u03b5\u03c4\u03ad\u03c9\u03c1\u03b1<\/p><\/div>\n

Having done my homework, I ask him about Meteora \u2014one of his self-declared favorite destinations in the world. He interrupts me with a smile: he\u2019s already been there three times and plans to return. Over the years, Enrique has built many friendships in Greece and honors them with frequent visits. \u201cGreeks and Mexicans share so much,\u201d<\/em> he says. \u201cA special bond with gastronomy \u2014from street tacos and gyros to Michelin-starred restaurants\u2014 amazing bars, stunning beaches, vibrant cities. We\u2019re friendly, joyful people who love to share food, drinks, music, and tradition, yet we also have deeply spiritual souls.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

We wrapped up our conversation on that warm note, just as the event drew to a close. I\u2019m certain Enrique will return to Greece soon, though I wouldn\u2019t bet on whether it\u2019ll be for a holiday or for another new creation from The Lost Explorer<\/strong>. Either way, both he and his tequilas will always be welcome here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Legendary maestro tequilero Enrique de Colsa discusses his collaboration with The Lost Explorer, the philosophy behind its first tequila, and why true craftsmanship begins with respect, for the agave and for time itself. With more than two decades at the helm of production for one of the world\u2019s most respected tequila brands, Enrique de Colsa […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2325],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-en"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DSC6085.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25906","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25906"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25906\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25908,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25906\/revisions\/25908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25906"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25906"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitterbooze.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}