During prohibition, Roberto Mares Sr., out of necessity, takes up the art of distilling and begins producing and selling bootleg tequila.

After returning to Mexico, Roberto Mares Jr. learns how to make tequila, which he bootlegs for friends and family until 2012.

Roberto Mares Jr. teaches Felipe Soto Mares how to cultivate, harvest, bake, ferment agave, and make tequila on their family hacienda in Atequiza, Jalisco.

Felipe creates his first perfected batch, which he shares with his family and friends, who become known as “The Lucky Few”!

At a tasting dinner, renowned spirit writer, Robert Plotkin, evaluates three expressions of Felipe’s tequila and goes as far as to say that he had used Don Julio as his benchmark tequila, but has now found a new benchmark at this tasting.

Felipe becomes an endorsed speaker for the Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico (CRT).* Felipe also earns his Catador certification at La Academia Mexicana Del Tequila in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

Felipe is appointed Director of La Academia Mexicana Del Tequila for California, the first designation outside of Mexico.

Felipe receives the designation of Maestro Catador (Master Sommelier of Tequila) and Maestro Tequilero, the most prestigious certifications in the Tequila industry.

In an accidental, or rather serendipitous meeting of chance at the Del Mar Race Track, an entrepreneur happens to taste Felipe’s tequila and proclaims to all who could hear, that it is “the baddest f..ing stuff he had ever tasted...” hence, the name, The Bad Stuff.

The Bad Stuff wins Best Of Show, Best In Class, and is awarded the Gold medal in the prestigious Glorious Spirits Made In Mexico competition.

Upon its release, the first batch of The Bad Stuff Extra Añejo is a hit amongst “The Lucky Ones”. It is a highly coveted secret to those in-the-know, and is purchased through word of mouth only.

Batch 2 is released with a new and improved label. The Bad Stuff is also awarded Gold at Distilled San Diego Spirit & Cocktail Competition.

The Bad Stuff’s third batch is released.

The Bad Stuff wins a Gold medal, Best Of Class, and Best Of Division at Distilled San Diego Spirit Competition. It also is awarded Double Gold by the San Diego International Spirits Challenge, Gold and the Innovation Award at the SIP Awards, as well as the Gold medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which is considered one of the most influential competitions in the Spirits industry.

The Bad Stuff’s fourth batch is released with a sleek black and gold makeover, featuring an updated label, cork, and brand image.

A one-of-a-kind 8-month Reposado is expected to hit the shelves (and lips) of tequila-lovers in December, 2020.

A rare 12-year tequila expression, Doce, will be complete at the beginning of 2021. The Bad Stuff Extra Añejo’s fifth batch will be released with a new glass stopper.