July 15, 2008

To all concerned,

I have thought long and hard about this and I have chosen to retire from the position of President of the Academia Mexicana del Tequila, USA. Many of you know that I have been pursuing my own tequila project for many years and in all fairness to the academy, I feel that in order for the academy to remain unbiased in their evaluations of tequila, that this is the proper and honorable decision to make. Therefore as of July 15, 2008 I Phillip Soto Mares step down as El Presidente and leave it up to the academy director in Mexico to choose my successor.

I will continue as I always, to educate all those thirsting to learn more about the spirituous beverage we all love, Tequila!

¡Viva Tequila! y ¡Viva México!

A Brief History

La Academia Mexicana del Tequila was legally formed as a civil association by a group of tequila aficionados in September of 2000 by virtue of their appreciation for the national drink of Mexico. Since that time the founders have become Catadores de Tequila through a series of certification & training seminars established by the academy.

The positive revitalization of tequilas image, the recognition of the Denominación de Origen del Tequila by the European Community, rekindled the restlessness with in us and inspired us to form the academy uniting, ourselves with this spirituous beverage.

This is the manner in which the conceptual idea to create the Academia Mexicana del Tequila was born towards the end of the millennium in 1999, looking to educate aficionados in the new millennium.

So it is in the first quarter of the year 2000 that the idea of the academy takes form, we establish the philosophy and the objectives of our academy and in December of the same year the academy is legally formed as an association with the Mexican government code 11307 before notary public José Luis Villavicencia Castañada, recognized officially by the notary branch 218 of the Federal District in México City.

Philosophy
We declare our commitment to the truth, integrity and absolute impartiality;
and that our activities and acts shall be governed by proper ethics.
We love Mexico, we believe in Mexico, in our people; we are proud of our roots, of our traditions, of our history this is why we defend it as we do.

Objective
Our main objective is to publicize the Tequila Culture, orientating the public both domestic and foreign, about the brands that adhere to the strictest of standards in their elaboration, its quality, and its characteristics in the spirit of this 100% Mexican drink from the Republic of Mexico.

Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each chapter president and each member to uphold the rules and regulations that are administered by the CRT and other governing bodies in the tequila industry.
We are the guardians of this treasure from Mexico.

On September 15th, 2007 - the eve of Mexico's Independence, at the Spirits of Mexico Tequila Festival there was much to celebrate with the induction of 5 Tequilier Ambassadeurs into the Academia Mexicana del Tequila, USA. Café Coyote received the 100% AMT Tequila Restaurant prestigious 5 Agave Award. The certifications were presented by academy President – Phillip Soto Mares.

The September 2007 Tequilier Ambassadeur Inductees
with academy president Phillip Soto Mares.

Phillip Soto Mares dressed as a Charro also rode one of the Andalusian horses from Gutierrez Andalusians.

Dori Bryant – Florida		Stacy Austin – So California
So California		Mario Marquez – So California
Owner Lehn of Café Coyote accepts the certification as a 100% AMT Tequila Restaurant		Endorsing the Tequilier Ambassadeur certificate.
Endorsing the 100% AMT certificate Phillip and Lehn

December 8, 2006 - La Academia Mexicana Del Tequila USA Officially Recognized by Mexico's Academia Director
In a ceremony held at gourmet Mexican cuisine restaurant El Agave in Old Town, San Diego, CA, Phillip Soto Mares became the first director authorized outside of Mexico to be appointed to this position. Academy director Andres Rodriquez-Reynoso traveled from Mexico City to present Phillip Soto Mares with a diploma authorizing a Tequila Academy in the United States. Hector Aguilar, owner of the elite magazine Estilo Gourmet was also present; Estilo Gourmet will feature a 12 month series of articles featuring the Academy & Phillip Soto Mares.

Pictured: Juan Carlos of El Agave Tequilera, Phillip Soto Mares of El Duende Tequila & Andres Rodríguez-Reynoso of Academia Mexicana Del Tequila, A.C.

Pictured: Andres Rodríguez-Reynoso & Phillip Soto Mares