Meet Chilled Ambassador, Tequila Sommelier, Educator, Digital Creator Lauren Castano

Meet Lauren Castano, our tequila expert and member of The Chilled Ambassador Network. Based in South Florida, Lauren is a certified Tequila Sommelier, educator, and longtime industry pro with nearly 30 years in food and beverage—and more than 15 years dedicated to agave spirits.

Certified through the International Tequila Academy and WSET Level 2, she’s passionate about quality tequila and the craftsmanship behind it. We asked Lauren to talk about what first pulled her into tequila—and how one bartender changed everything.

What was the moment or experience that first pulled you into the world of tequila?
My tequila journey began in college at a Mexican cantina where I was serving tables in a tequila bar. And no, it wasn’t because I was drinking bad tequila in college. I barely drank at all, and I knew almost nothing about the spirit. The bar was very male-dominated and always packed. As a server, I quickly noticed how much power the bartenders carried, and I wanted a place behind that bar.

One bartender in particular stood out. He didn’t talk about tequila like it was just another shot. He went deeper, spoke with precision, passion, and a kind of confidence that captivated anyone who listened. I had no idea what he was talking about at the time, but I was fascinated by how he talked about it.

Years later, after becoming a respected bartender working alongside him, that bar closed. I moved to another location of the same concept, with a tequila bar and a selection that felt endless. They did bottle service, and my job was to sell tequila. That’s when I realized how much I didn’t know. And that’s when the rabbit hole opened. I discovered an entire world I didn’t know existed. I fell headfirst into the education, the culture, the process, the whole world behind agave. And I’ve never come out.

What do you wish more people understood about tequila and its culture?

Tequila isn’t meant to be thrown back with salt and lime. Any producer will tell you it’s designed to be sipped like a fine wine. The nuances in the glass come from the terroir, the surrounding fruit trees, mango, citrus, and the careful, intentional process behind every step. There’s culture, craft, and land in each bottle, and I wish more people experienced it that way.

When you’re evaluating a tequila, what qualities or details tell you it’s truly exceptional?

I do a lot of blind tastings, and they’ve become one of my favorite parts of what I do. I look for tequila that stands out… that catches my palate’s attention. Sometimes it’s something so different or so bold that I’m not even sure if I like it at first. That’s usually the tequila I want to revisit again and again.

For me, an exceptional tequila is one I can’t wait to drink when I’m off the clock, something I look forward to sipping during my own downtime, relaxing with the people I love.

What drives your work today—what’s the story you hope to tell through tequila and education?

We’ve been in an agave boom, with tequila popular more than ever, and as the category grows, so does the responsibility to tell its true stories. I want to share the perspectives of the producers, their histories, their methods, and how they see their tequila. I want to highlight the brands built on passion and integrity, not shortcuts. My mission is to connect people to the culture and craftsmanship behind every bottle, ensuring that the heart of tequila, the story, never gets lost.

Lauren Castano:

Lauren Castano is a Tequila Sommelier, educator, and digital creator based in South Florida. With nearly 30 years in the food and beverage industry and over 15 years dedicated specifically to tequila, she combines deep expertise with an authentic passion for agave spirits. Certified through the International Tequila Academy and WSET Level 2, Lauren is committed to highlighting quality tequila and the cultural craftsmanship behind each bottle.

Through her platform, @loveintequila, home to a community of more than 32k enthusiasts, she shares educational content, hosts tastings and bar events, and brings people closer to the traditions of agave. Lauren’s background in education and her hands-on industry experience make her a trusted voice for anyone looking to explore tequila with honesty, depth, and genuine respect for the producers who make it.

The Chilled Review

The Chilled Authority is our expert-led column featuring trusted voices from the Chilled Ambassador Network. From tequila to whiskey to emerging categories, this series delivers grounded insight, real experience, and knowledge from those working at the highest level of the industry—sharing what they know, what they’re tasting, and what’s shaping our industry right now.

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