• Address: Magazine St. New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Phone: Calls available upon appointment
  • Email: info@mastermezcalier.org
The Master Mezcalier certification was created in 2009 to set and maintain high educational standards for mezcal professionals, providing credentials comparable to those in other spirit industries. The Master Mezcalier program was developed and created by the Competency Management Committee "El servicio del Mezcal" and led by the Pro-Culture Mezcal Association A.C.
Master Mezcalier Staff and Members

Sergio Inurrigarro is one of the original founders of the Asociación Pro-Cultura de Mezcal A.C. and the Master Mezcalier program. He began his journey into the Mezcal world in 1985 upon his first visit to Tlacolula, Mexico. While he was Vice-President of Public Relations of Slowfood Mexico, he started to promote Mezcal in the United States, Mexico, Italy, and other countries. He started the Asociación Pro-Cultura de Mezcal A.C. in 2006 and in 2009 he presented the Competence Management Comitee “El Servicio del Mezcal” to CONOCER. In 2012 he became Preident of Master Mezcalier Mexico and Director of the Certifier Body OC037-12, recognized by CONOCER. In 2017 he started Master Mezcalier USA in Chicago, Illinois. Sergio has conducted more than 1,800 Mezcal tasting events in more than 150 cities and 31 countries. Sergio currently resides in Mexico City.

Jovanny Ortega is CEO of Riablo Sotol and a Master Mezcalier instructor. He is also a co-owner of JB Spirits, a wine and spirits import company. After obtaining his Master Mezcalier certification, Jovanny has worked closely with the Oaxacan government to provide information to Mezcal producers about importing agave spirits into the USA. He has worked with restaurants and bars on both sides of the border passing Master Mezcalier knowledge from producers to consumers. Jovanny currently resides in Houma, Louisiana.

Miguel Ángel López Olvera is the Master Mezcalier program director in Mexico. He is currently living in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca.

Maritza Rodriguez Munguia is a Master Mezcalier instructor. Maritza currently lives in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca.

Jason Mitzen is a former owner of Espíritu Mezcalería in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a current Master Mezcalier instructor. Jason’s love of Mezcal began in 2014, while living in Mexico. In 2018 he obtained his Master Mezcalier certification in Oaxaca and later that year opened the first Mezcal bar in New Orleans: Espíritu Mezcalería. While acting as general manager of Espíritu, Jason hosted the Mezcal Society, a club for Mezcal and agave spirit fans, and hosted many tastings, educational events, and classes. Jason has served as a spirit judge, cocktail judge, and teacher in the Mezcal and wider agave spirits industry. Jason currently resides in Melbourne, Florida.

Haley Saucier is a current owner of Espíritu Mezcalería and a certified Level I Mezcalier. She has over a decade of experience as a bartender and manager in the restaurant and bar industry. She has played a key role in crafting innovative cocktail menus for various bars all over New Orleans. Haley has a WSET in spirits and is a lead educator for Turning Tables, an organization which provides mentorship to rising black and brown hospitality professionals. Haley currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Charles Carey is a current owner of Espíritu Mezcalería and a certified Level I Mezcalier. He provides administrative and technical support to Master Mezcalier classes. He currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana.