Scientist and tequila and mezcal producers creating a bat friendly spirit

For more than a century, the industrial practices used for the production of tequila have eliminated almost all the genetic diversity of the tequila agaves. Today, for the first time ever, academics, producers, distillers, bottlers, marketers, and bartenders are joining forces to produce Bat Friendly Tequila and Mezcal™ and to defend the agave, its pollinators, and Mexico’s national drinks.
By allowing 5% of agave plants to flower (about 222 plants per hectare), growers extend an invitation to those responsible for maintaining the genetic diversity of agaves: the bats!

For millions of years, the Magueyero bat, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, has carried pollen from agave flowers of one plant to another, pollinating countless generations. This evolutionary relationship ensures the agave genetic vigor and promotes the strength and health of plants, and thus maintains the essence of our drink.

The final result is an original, high quality Bat Friendly Tequila and Mezcal™. Real and without adulterations, these spirits also benefits nature. Academics, producers, and marketers collaborate so that the tequila agave, so degraded genetically for more than a century, today has begun to recover its strength. At the same time, this practice helps a very important species of bat that until a couple of years ago was threatened by extinction. If this effort were not enough, producers have committed to using only traditional methods of production of tequila and thus ensure a product of high quality that is also friendly with bats.

Let’s toast bats with Bat Friendly Tequila and Mezcal™!  The results of the pilot phase of this program will be shared at the Benemérita Sociedad de Geografía y Estadística de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico on November 26, 12pm.