Rapid City’s favorite whiskey-sipping duo is swapping barrels for blue agave this month, as the Whiskey@Work podcast kicks off a new limited series: Tequila@Work. Just ahead of the inaugural Mountain West Fiesta Fest on May 3, hosts Rob and Mark are diving headfirst (and mouth-first) into the world of tequila—with their trademark blend of humor, curiosity, and mid-afternoon happy hour energy.
“We just do this for an excuse at 3:30 on a Tuesday to sit down in front of a microphone and have a drink,” Mark joked in the latest episode. “And now we get to call it research!”
The new series aims to demystify tequila for those who only know it as a college mistake or a margarita mixer. In the first episode, the hosts take on Jose Cuervo Gold, arguably the most infamous bottle on any back bar—and they’re surprisingly impressed.
“This is way better than people give it credit for,” said Rob, who admitted he hadn’t sipped Cuervo straight since his early 20s. “It’s absurdly sweet… and honestly kind of enjoyable.”
Throughout the episode, the hosts unpack tequila’s long history—dating back to the 1500s—and explore its similarities to whiskey and bourbon, especially when it comes to regional influence and production standards.
“It’s one of the most tightly regulated spirits in the world,” Mark explained. “To be labeled tequila, it has to be at least 51% blue agave and made in Jalisco, Mexico. Kind of like how bourbon has to be 51% corn and made in America.”
The month-long series will continue with future episodes featuring Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas, leading up to the Mountain West Fiesta Fest, a new celebration of tequila, food, and fun.
“You’ll learn a little, laugh a lot, and maybe even discover you like tequila after all,” Mark teased.
Mountain West Fiesta Fest takes place May 3. For tickets and info, visit MountainWestFiestaFest.com.
You can listen to Whiskey@Work and the new Tequila@Work series wherever you get your podcasts.
