BACARDI EXPANDS AGAVE LEADERSHIP WITH LAUREN MOTE APPOINTMENT

Bacardi has appointed Lauren Mote as Global Category Director, Agave On-Trade & Hacienda Patrón Brand Home Experience. She will lead global advocacy for Patrón Tequila, Cazadores Tequila, and Ilegal Mezcal, while overseeing Hacienda Patrón’s hospitality programme. Mote’s extensive industry experience strengthens Bacardi’s agave portfolio and global bartender education initiatives.

Bacardi has announced the appointment of Lauren Mote as Global Category Director, Agave On-Trade & Hacienda Patrón Brand Home Experience, expanding her remit across the company’s agave spirits portfolio. In her new role, Mote will spearhead global on-trade advocacy for Patrón Tequila, Cazadores Tequila, and Ilegal Mezcal, while guiding the next phase of Hacienda Patrón’s hospitality and brand home programme in Jalisco, Mexico.  

Mote, who joined Bacardi in 2022, succeeds Matthew Sykes in leading Hacienda Patrón’s hospitality and guest experience initiatives. She will collaborate closely with Master Distiller David Rodriguez and the hospitality team to enhance education, advocacy, trade engagement, and immersive visitor experiences at the tequila distillery. The appointment underscores Bacardi’s commitment to strengthening its agave portfolio through leadership that combines deep industry expertise with a passion for bartender education.  

A Canadian based in Amsterdam, Mote brings more than 27 years of global drinks industry experience spanning hospitality, brand advocacy, education, and beverage strategy. Her career includes senior roles with Diageo Reserve and World Class, where she helped shape bartender engagement and advocacy programmes on an international scale. She also co-founded Bittered Sling, a cocktail bitters brand, and authored A Bartender’s Guide to the World, further cementing her reputation as a thought leader in the global drinks community.  

Widely recognised for her contributions to bartender education and mentorship, Mote has played a pivotal role in elevating standards of training and professional development across the industry. Her appointment reflects Bacardi’s ambition to deepen connections with the global bartender community, ensuring its agave brands remain at the forefront of innovation, authenticity, and cultural relevance.  

By entrusting Mote with expanded responsibilities, Bacardi signals its intent to strengthen the positioning of Patrón, Cazadores, and Ilegal Mezcal in the competitive agave spirits category. Her leadership is expected to drive greater engagement with trade partners, enhance consumer experiences, and reinforce Hacienda Patrón as a world-class destination for tequila education and hospitality.