How We Evaluate Agave Experiences
Our evaluators spent three weeks in October-December 2025 conducting firsthand assessments across Los Cabos. Each candidate received multiple anonymous visits, documented across 47 distinct evaluation points.
The Foundation of Trust
The Fairways & Agaves Excellence Award is not bestowed lightly. Each recipient undergoes comprehensive evaluation across six distinct criteria, assessed through multiple firsthand visits by our editorial team. We believe transparency in our methodology is essential to the credibility of the program.
No recipient pays for consideration. No external influence shapes our selections. The integrity of this program is our most valuable asset.
Our Evaluation Team
Tony Andrews, Editor-in-Chief & Lead Evaluator
Ten years documenting Los Cabos' hospitality evolution, with specialized expertise in agave spirits and luxury golf travel. Creator of the Fairways & Agaves editorial platform. Conducted all 2026 evaluations personally across 14 site visits between October–December 2025.
Previous experience includes building full-stack hospitality software, developing tequila education programs, and consulting with premium spirits brands across Mexico and California.
What We Evaluate
Spirits Selection
What we assess: The quality, authenticity, and sourcing of agave spirits offered. We evaluate the depth of the collection, presence of rare or allocated expressions, and the establishment's relationships with producers.
What distinguishes excellence: A spirits program that goes beyond mainstream offerings to include small-batch mezcals from family palenques, certified organic tequilas, and expressions that demonstrate genuine connoisseurship. Sourcing transparency and producer relationships matter.
Weight in evaluation: High — spirits are the foundation of any agave experience.
Educational Depth
What we assess: Does the guest leave knowing more than when they arrived? We evaluate presenter knowledge, communication skills, educational structure, and the lasting impact of instruction.
What distinguishes excellence: Certified sommelier-level guidance that makes complex information accessible. Educational experiences that transform curious visitors into informed enthusiasts. Programs that adapt to audience expertise levels while maintaining depth.
Weight in evaluation: High — education differentiates exceptional experiences from simple consumption.
Hospitality & Service
What we assess: The level of care and attention to detail from arrival to departure. Staff professionalism, responsiveness, anticipation of guest needs, and consistency of service delivery.
What distinguishes excellence: Service that feels personal without being intrusive. Staff who demonstrate genuine passion for agave culture. Attention to details that elevate good experiences into memorable ones—glassware, pacing, temperature, presentation.
Weight in evaluation: Medium-High — exceptional service multiplies the impact of quality spirits and education.
Atmosphere
What we assess: The physical environment, design aesthetic, sensory experience, and how the setting enhances appreciation of agave culture.
What distinguishes excellence: Spaces that feel authentically connected to Mexican heritage without resorting to cliché. Thoughtful design that encourages contemplation and conversation. Lighting, acoustics, and flow that enhance rather than distract from the tasting experience.
Weight in evaluation: Medium — atmosphere contributes to but does not define excellence.
Value Proposition
What we assess: Quality relative to cost. We evaluate whether the experience justifies its investment and delivers genuine value to guests at various price points.
What distinguishes excellence: Pricing that reflects quality without excessive markup. Transparency about what's included. Experiences where guests consistently feel they received more than expected. Premium pricing is acceptable when matched by premium delivery.
Weight in evaluation: Medium — value is contextual but essential to accessibility.
Guest Reputation
What we assess: Consistent quality demonstrated through guest feedback, reviews, and sustained excellence over time. We look for patterns across platforms and time periods.
What distinguishes excellence: Consistently positive guest sentiment that aligns with our firsthand experience. Establishments that respond constructively to feedback. Long-term reputation that demonstrates reliability rather than novelty.
Weight in evaluation: Medium — reputation validates our assessment but doesn't replace it.
From Consideration to Recognition
Identification
Potential recipients are identified through our ongoing editorial coverage, industry relationships, and reader recommendations. We maintain an active consideration list that evolves throughout the year.
Firsthand Evaluation
Each candidate received multiple anonymous visits by our evaluation team between October 15 – December 20, 2025. All 2026 recipients were evaluated during this period. We experience establishments as typical guests would, without advance notice or special treatment. Multiple visits ensure consistency assessment.
Criteria Scoring
Evaluators score each criterion independently before discussion. Aggregate scores inform but don't automatically determine selection. Qualitative assessment and editorial judgment remain essential.
Selection
Final recipients are selected by our editorial board based on evaluation data, comparative analysis, and alignment with our mission. We seek to recognize genuinely exceptional experiences, not simply the best among mediocre options.
Notification & Verification
Selected recipients are notified privately before public announcement. We verify continued operation and quality before official recognition.
Award Categories
We recognize excellence across distinct categories, each with specific evaluation emphasis.
Outstanding Agave Experience
The highest recognition for comprehensive excellence in agave education, tasting experiences, and cultural immersion. Recipients demonstrate exceptional performance across all six criteria.
Outstanding Agave Bar
Recognition for establishments with exceptional spirit programs, comprehensive selections, and outstanding bar service. Emphasis on spirits selection and hospitality criteria.
Outstanding Agave Collection
Recognition for hotels and restaurants with notable tequila and mezcal libraries. Emphasis on spirits selection and atmosphere criteria.
Meet the 2026 Honorees
Discover why these establishments earned our highest recognition.