Metro Detroit has officially etched its name into the record books, with Dearborn’s M Cantina now holding the Guinness World Records title for offering the largest selection of agave spirits in a restaurant worldwide.
This prestigious recognition, certified by Guinness World Records last week, grants M Cantina unparalleled credibility for its remarkably robust collection of tequilas, mezcals, and other distinctive agave spirits such as raicillas, bacanoras, and sotols.
Guinness officially certified M Cantina’s collection at an astonishing 1,825 distinct bottles of 100% agave spirits on Tuesday. This figure dramatically surpasses the previous record, which was set last year by a New Jersey restaurant with 1,033 bottles.
For context, it’s important to note that while all tequilas are agave spirits, not all agave spirits are tequilas – a nuance expertly showcased by M Cantina’s extensive inventory.
Interestingly, setting a world record was not the initial aim for M Cantina as it began to amass its impressive collection, according to owner and chef Junior Merino. “I wanted to showcase all the amazing spirits of Mexico that most people don’t know about,” Merino told Axios. It was only upon learning of the previous record held by the New Jersey establishment that Merino realized his own inventory was significantly larger, and a Guinness certification would provide definitive proof of his collection’s breadth.
The official record title specifies “offering the most commercially available varieties of agave spirits in a restaurant.” Chloe McCarthy, the Guinness World Records adjudicator who certified the award, praised the quality of the collection in a statement: “Of the 1,825 bottles, they’re all the most high quality and authentic in nature,” she stated after meticulously confirming the availability of each individual bottle.
M Cantina’s achievement not only brings global recognition to Dearborn but also elevates the appreciation and understanding of Mexico’s rich and diverse agave spirits.
