Did you know that tequila is named after a volcano? I didn’t! I also had no idea that José Cuervo was a real person until I picked up this book. The Tequila Wars dives deep into the rivalry between Cenobio Sauza, José Cuervo, and the Mexican government in the 1800s, revealing the corruption, power struggles, and intrigue behind Mexico’s most famous spirit.

This was such an interesting read. I’m not usually a big nonfiction person, but I love learning about the history of food and alcohol. When I travel, I make it a point to explore local cuisine and beverages, and Mexico is one of my favorite destinations. The food, the culture, the people—I love it all. I’ve also been on a streak of reading Mexican fiction set in the 1800s and early 1900s, so this book felt like the perfect fit, and I was right.

Alongside its rich history, I really appreciated the old photographs, maps, and documents woven throughout the book. They helped bring the story to life. Also, I was fascinated to learn that agave plants take 12 years to mature—talk about patience! It’s clear that The Tequila Wars was thoroughly researched, and if this is a topic that interests you, it will absolutely scratch that itch. However, if history books aren’t your thing, even when they cover engaging subjects, this might not be for you.

After finishing, I have an overwhelming urge to book another trip to Mexico, visit Tequila, and see where all of this history unfolded. Salud! And muchas gracias to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the eARC—I learned so much!

Like a lot of people, I have happened to drink Jose Cuervo without knowing anything about the man who was the company's namesake. This book covers the history of the Cuervo family that also serves as a history of Mexican tequila in general.

The book is well researched and interesting but runs into the issue I have with a lot of history books in that it is a bit dry (pardon the pun). That being said, I found it very interesting and would recommend it to history buffs interested in the subject matter. Give it a read!