Meticulously Hand Crafted
And Refined Over Three Generations
During the 1920’s, Roberto Mares Sr. and his family left Mexico due to the Cristero Revolution and fled to the U.S. during Prohibition. With Prohibition came great opportunity. Mares harvested the local blue agave, fermented and distilled it, and then drove to the speakeasies of San Diego and Los Angeles, selling his Tequila to support their family. The Carlsbad speakeasy, The Captain Charles Kenneth, still sells our award winning three year tequila, The Bad Stuff Extra Anejo!
The Mares Family and Soto Family married and the craft of making Tequila was passed down. Two generations later Felipe Soto Mares, a master tequila maker, has perfected this recipe.
Today, The Bad Stuff Tequila continues to innovate new recipes, and currently is gearing up to present an incredible special batch of 12 year aged Tequila. The future will include the release of a specialty reposado, a specialty blanco (silver tequila), and a family dedication aged Tequila.
- Original Family Recipe Is Born
During prohibition, Roberto Mares Sr., out of necessity, takes up the art of distilling and begins producing and selling bootleg tequila.
- TRADITION PASSES DOWN
After returning to Mexico, Roberto Mares Jr. learns how to make tequila, which he bootlegs for friends and family until 2012.
- A FAMILY PRACTICE CONTINUES
Roberto Mares Jr. teaches Felipe Soto Mares how to cultivate, harvest, bake, ferment agave, and make tequila on their family hacienda in Atequiza, Jalisco.
- The Lucky Few
Felipe creates his first perfected batch, which he shares with his family and friends, who become known as “The Lucky Few”!
- A New Benchmark For Tasting
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.
- The First US Catador
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.
- Academia Mexicana Del Tequila Director
Felipe is appointed Director of La Academia Mexicana Del Tequila for California, the first designation outside of Mexico.
- Maestro Catador / Maestro Tequilero
Felipe receives the designation of Maestro Catador (Master Sommelier of Tequila) and Maestro Tequilero, the most prestigious certifications in the Tequila industry.
- Bad Meaning Oh So Good
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.
- Glorious Spirits / Made In Mexico
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.
- Extra Anejo Release
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 Wins Gold
Batch 2 is released with a new and improved label. The Bad Stuff is also awarded Gold at Distilled San Diego Spirit & Cocktail Competition.
- Batch 3 Release
The Bad Stuff’s third batch is released.
- The Bad Stuff Wins Big
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.
- Batch 4 Release
The Bad Stuff’s fourth batch is released with a sleek black and gold makeover, featuring an updated label, cork, and brand image.
- Reposado Launch
A one-of-a-kind 8-month Reposado is expected to hit the shelves (and lips) of tequila-lovers in December, 2020.
- 12 Year & Batch 5 Release
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.