It was a beautiful day after pouring rain the day before in the desert at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. If you want to stay here, try this travel hack with Hotels.com first!
If there was ever another fitting name for me, I think it would be The Lost Explorer. Because no matter how much you plan a trip, it never goes according to your plans and I find the road less traveled is always the best way to go. So when this company reached out to me to attend a day at the Four Seasons Scottsdale, I was all in. I try not to and honestly don’t have time to deep dive into a brand before saying yes to events most of the time. Part of exploring for me is showing up and asking my 100 questions as any good journalist does. I’m also a visual learner so you could tell me directions until the cows come home but if I don’t see it, it’s just noise to me!
I invited one of my power plus ones who is also a journalist and shares the same we-have-so-many-questions mentality, leaving me to geek out in peace. If you’re not a nerd, we probably won’t get along… I’m way too curious for that! We started the day with a high tea however everyone was buzzing around us like honey bees with activity as we had a full day of rain beforehand and the photography and video crew were making up for lost content. Oh, how I know the feeling! We actually had to shuffle our schedules because of it and had everything happen on a Saturday, which actually worked out best as I was on the road again the very next day.
The Lost Explorer creates craft mezcal and recently tequila, honoring the agave and its terroir from the arid valleys of Oaxaca to the volcanic lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. These handcrafted spirits are additive-free and made from 100% agave. Even the glass bottles are green! Having a deep commitment to sustainability means that the spirits are made within the rhythm of nature, with respect to biodiversity and local communities. The Lost Explorer distributes its premium spirits, including mezcal and tequila, in global markets such as Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. And now launching in Arizona!
One of the options to stay at the Four Seasons Scottsdale down a walking path away from the main entrance.The desert coming alive again after the rain at Four Seasons Scottsdale.The pond in the front of Four Seasons Scottsdale full of water from the rainfall.The lounge to the left of the entrance to Four Seasons Scottsdale.A moody, dark entrance to the Four Seasons Scottsdale with the front desks to the left and right.The lounge area down the steps at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.And the fireplace in the lounge area of the Four Seasons Scottsdale.The trifecta of The Lost Explorer mezcal and tequila at the Four Seasons Scottsdale with the Onyx bar in the background. My favorite was the hint of smoky Tobala mezcal, the most pricey bottle in black.A vibe to the left of the Onyx bar at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.Some of the photography behind the scenes happening at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.Our view from the patio at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. It was a perfect day!Meeting Joe from NewFoodPhx and his power plus one was a nice delight to afternoon tea at Four Seasons Scottsdale with his cool camera.The blue purple green tea that I fell in love with at Four Seasons Scottsdale.So we went for these two teas first at Four Seasons Scottsdale. Rishi Tea has a great concept here and as a tea lover, I’m all in!The most impressive array of finger foods at Four Seasons Scottsdale. So decadent!After this, we tried another tea which was even more delicious but it was time for the next tasting at Four Seasons Scottsdale. So blue!Right behind us, a medley of content creation happening with Cloth and Flame as well at Four Seasons Scottsdale.
The desert – or shall we say dessert – inspired afternoon tea is dubbed as a timeless tradition meeting the bold flavors of the Sonoran Desert. Featuring desserts infused with The Lost Explorer mezcal, this offering reimagined classic tea-time favorites with a Southwestern twist. We were totally in love with this experience and the tea! Compared to the rather stuffy Four Seasons Philadelphia, I will take high tea in the sunshine and relaxed atmosphere any day. We just wish there were more savory options as I could feel the sugar and caffeine coursing through my veins. Before we knew it, we were being summoned away to the next part of the day, the agave ritual tasting!
Soon we were whisked away to taste the flavors of The Lost Explorer at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. Everything is eco-friendly including these tasting cups!A welcome bag awaited us which included hand printed scarves at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.A view of our agave tasting table at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.
Helena Graterol starts by explaining the history of The Lost Explorer.
Our cocktails at the Four Seasons Scottsdale tasting were very creamy which is not my palate. Fortunately, I was enjoying the straight mezcal and my guest loved the cocktails!Learning all about this curious brand at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. I fell in love with the black label mezcal, the most pricey bottle of course. Espadín means “small sword” referring to the agave plants sharp blades… which one stabbed me while hiking in Sedona and my new age host had mud from the Native Americans to put on my thigh. Life is wild, ya’ll!The dream team poses for a photo at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. Brand ambassador Luis Navarro joined mid-way through and we loved his energy!
I think the plan was to taste through the bottles of The Lost Explorer paired with curated bites however there were only small bowls of potato chips and in retrospect, we should have ordered some food items off the cocktail menu. Or just a huge pile of truffle fries to soak things up, my favorite! Regardless, we enjoyed our cocktails, tasting and learning all about The Lost Explorer. This part of the day blew my mind in a couple ways – that some cheap people burn tires to get that smoky mezcal flavor and that David De Rothschild is at the helm of this brand. We sat and talked a while afterwards with Helena and Luis and learned so much! David is the lone environmentalist who also worked with National Geographic and is on a mission to lead to way in green initiatives.
After absorbing that information and then some, we were off to the pool to relax before dinner. At one point, we were stopped mid-tracks because a hummingbird decided to bless us by sitting on the gate wire directly in front of us. We both froze in place, accepting this blessing from the universe! And no photos, I didn’t want to scare it so you’ll have to go yourself to see. They just opened up some spaces on Resortpass.com by the way, so get on that!
We were led to the adults only section of the pool at Four Seasons Scottsdale which needs to exist everywhere honestly.A view from the other side of the pool at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. We were on the white lounge chairs.Apparently the pool amenities “close” at 5 p.m. at Four Seasons Scottsdale so I went on an adventure trying to secure snacks and drinks which led me back to Onyx Bar. When I returned, I awoke my guest with a cocktail… not a bad way to awaken!Our hosts led us back to the patio at the Four Seasons Scottsdale and the sun just started setting.The owners of Cloth and Flame enjoying the sunset after a long day of setting up all over the Four Seasons Scottsdale property.Immediately I was lulled over to the musician playing flamenco music at Four Seasons Scottsdale. He was a vibe all night long!We were early as always but got to watch the setup happen in real time at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. Yes, I am a Helper sometimes!Luis poses with Enrique de Colsa at the Four Seasons Scottsdale before the five course pairing dinner begins. Enrique de Colsa, the Maestro Tequilero who distills The Lost Explorer tequila was present at the event. Maestro Mezcalero Don Fortino Ramos was not preset but distills all The Lost Explorer’s mezcals.
Maestro Mezcalero, Don Fortino Ramos is an internationally recognized, award-winning producer of mezcal. Based in Oaxaca, Don Fortino Ramos is a self-taught first-generation Mezcalero who has been perfecting his craft for well over two decades. A love for the craft of artisanal mezcal runs in the family. His daughter, Xitlali, works closely alongside him as she trains to become the next-generation Mezcalera, carrying forward the family’s legacy of artisanal mezcal craftsmanship. We love a woman run business!
The sky began turning this amazing shade of blue that night at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.My guest found these amazing views on a path in the desert at Four Seasons Scottsdale.The view of our winding S-shaped table at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.Soon it was time to be seated and you could feel the excitement in the air at Four Seasons Scottsdale. The candles were amazing!It was hard to catch a smiling photo of Chef Emmanuel Urban while he was talking but I’m glad I did it at Four Seasons Scottsdale!The Lost Explorer’s Heart of the Desert pairing dinner menu which I had to lighten and saturate the colors to see for this photo, it was dark and only lit by candlelight. You can see my tiny ring light to the left, a cat head!The Amuse Bouche at Four Seasons Scottsdale which was opposite of me, hidden by brick and I missed tasting unfortunately.The bread service included corn masa bread at Four Seasons Scottsdale.A tiny, potent cocktail from The Lost Explorer at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. Don’t mess with mezcal and don’t drive a car afterwards!We loved the presentation of the avocado cocktail at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.The fish course included Bluefin tuna at Four Seasons Scottsdale. If you ever want to hear a funny tuna story, ask me sometime!The vibes kept flowing because of this amazing man right here at Four Seasons Scottsdale as the sky grew darker.The conversation was flowing and everyone was having a good time at Four Seasons Scottsdale, getting deep in conversations.The vegetable course with beet mole and lion’s mane mushrooms at Four Seasons Scottsdale. I loved the taste and presentation!The stiff, small cocktail that I ended up with two at Four Seasons Scottsdale. Probably my favorite!The American Plains Bison with the most crunchy delightful micro greens at Four Seasons Scottsdale.The surprisingly spicy plantain drizzled with cheese at Four Seasons Scottsdale.A smaller version of a previous cocktail that day at Four Seasons Scottsdale. What does this look like to you?The most amazing piece of chocolate at Four Seasons Scottsdale with a surprise underneath!A faux lemon bursting with flavor called the Citrus Botanical Garden at the Four Seasons Scottsdale.After I walked my guest to her car, my Uber driver was 20 minutes away still so went back to Onxy Bar and enjoyed a mezcal old fashioned which is always a great night cap at Four Seasons Scottsdale! That will put you right to sleep as I did when I got home.
We look forward to working with this brand some more and learning more about all the green methods – and bottling- they do. If they can influence just one other major label to do the same, that’s progress! In the meantime, keep fighting the good, green fight amigos.
