Hola! We’re Jack and Tom. Best mates for 20+ years and Co-founders of El Rayo. They say every business has a lightbulb moment, well - ours was more of a lightning bolt! We never knew Tequila could taste this good until we tried it one night in Peckham. Intoxicated by that first taste we made the ridiculous decision to quit our day jobs and head to Guadalajara.
From Peckham to Jalisco
(and back again)
DISCOVERING MODERN México
Once in Mexico we linked up with a local designer, Mario and he showed us a culture that blew our minds! Forget sombreros and cactuses, this was modern Mexico - rich, vibrant and buzzing with creative energy. We worked alongside Mario and his design team, Toro Pinto, to craft some of this magic into El Rayo. Encapsulating the flavours, designs, and spirit of Guadalajara into everything; from our label, to our newsletters, and building a brand that showcased all the stuff you wouldn’t find on TripAdvisor!
Once in Mexico we linked up with a local designer, Mario and he showed us a culture that blew our minds! Forget sombreros and cactuses, this was modern Mexico - rich, vibrant and buzzing with creative energy. We worked alongside Mario and his design team, Toro Pinto, to craft some of this magic into El Rayo. Encapsulating the flavours, designs, and spirit of Guadalajara into everything; from our label, to our newsletters, and building a brand that showcased all the stuff you wouldn’t find on TripAdvisor!
WORKING WITH THE BEST PRODUCERS
Our next stop was Mexico’s highlands, to find the beautiful, slow-grown, blue agave plant. Here, with the help of Maestro Tequilero, Oscar Garcia, one of 250 Maestros in the world (more people have been to the moon!) We selected the very best, hand-harvested plants and under his watchful eye, distilled them into a single-ingredient, fresh tasting, tequila. Rome wasn’t built in a day—but after 3 trips and a lot of sips! Lightning struck and in May 2019 El Rayo ⚡ was born! Fresh tasting tequila, that’s authentically Mexican, from distillation to design.
Our next stop was Mexico’s highlands, to find the beautiful, slow-grown, blue agave plant. Here, with the help of Maestro Tequilero, Oscar Garcia, one of 250 Maestros in the world (more people have been to the moon!) We selected the very best, hand-harvested plants and under his watchful eye, distilled them into a single-ingredient, fresh tasting, tequila. Rome wasn’t built in a day—but after 3 trips and a lot of sips! Lightning struck and in May 2019 El Rayo ⚡ was born! Fresh tasting tequila, that’s authentically Mexican, from distillation to design.
HEAR THE FULL STORY
Co-founders Jack & Tom spoke to their good friends at Courier about the inspiration and journey of launching El Rayo.
Co-founders Jack & Tom spoke to their good friends at Courier about the inspiration and journey of launching El Rayo.
¡Saludos!
Jack Vereker
