ÇaFleureBon Behind The Bottle: Kelly Jones of KELLY + JONES Mezcal Collection +The Heart of Oaxaca Giveaway

November 13, 2022November 28, 2022

Kelly Jones, Scent Sommelier and Founder of KELLY + JONES and Mezcal Bottles

I first met Kelly Jones, Scent Sommelier and Founder of KELLY + JONES at Sniffapalooza’s 2012 Spring Fling where she launched her Notes of Wine Collection. We bonded over our love for fragrance and wine (I’m also a Senior Wine Specialist and Wine Consultant). Over the decade I have enjoyed watching Kelly evolve and applaud her success. Kelly was one of the guest presenters (at my recommendation) at Sniffapalooza’s 2022 Fall Ball.

Hernado Courtright: Prior to launching your fragrance line what was your background and how did you segue into fragrance?

Kelly Jones: I grew up around cars – my dad worked in the auto industry and we had a Model A Ford growing up, so my scent memories are of engine oil, wool seats, and spark plugs. I studied International Business at Michigan State University, and have an MBA from Thunderbird School of International Management, where I spent a semester in Japan. I landed a dream job of being in charge of the product plan for Toyota’s launch in Mexico. I’ve always loved fragrance though, and I’d go home at night to study perfumery as a big contrast to my day job. It grew into an obsession, and I ended up leaving the corporate world to follow my nose.

HC: You moved from Manhattan to the Hudson Valley a few years ago and are now based in Detroit. How has that worked out?

Kelly Jones: With my automotive roots, I wanted to bring things full circle and open an office in Detroit to better serve these clients. I’m also a competitive water-skier, and being in the Midwest has allowed me to get back into the sport I love.

Mezcal country

HC: You lived in Mexico for your former profession is that when you got your love for Mezcal?

Kelly Jones: I was on the corporate team that launched Toyota in Mexico and spent a significant amount of time in Mexico City as well as other markets across the country. I’ve always had a passion for Mexico, after spending a part of my childhood living in El Paso, Texas, and experiencing many adventurous and wonderful trips across the border. I started really appreciating mezcal on a trip to Acapulco when a friend introduced me to various varietals that he’d just brought back from Oaxaca.

Agave plants

HC: Mezcal is truly an artisanal process. You embraced Mezcal rather than tequila, tell us why and the difference.

Kelly Jones: Mezcal is made from many different varietals of agave, and Tequila is from the Blue Agave typically from the Jalisco region. Eau de Mezcal is more focused on varietals from Oaxaca, with a smoky heart note as the thread across the collection. I’m focused on traditional mezcal since my mission is to educate and inspire people about this small-batch craft.

HC: What was the timeline for creating the KELLY + JONES Mezcal Collection?

Kelly Jones: The original three fragrances for the Kelly +Jones Mezcal Collection, Negra, Roja, and Blanca – took about a year to create. Initially, I was focused on launching one inspired fragrance. But I was working with Steven Claisse, VP and Perfumer at Takasago, and we decided to do an entire collection, with that smoky tequila accord woven throughout. Verde was launched in the Spring of 2020 – and now we have Añejo.

Kelly Jones and a mezcal distiller

HC: How long did you spend in Oaxaca working with the distillers to create the collection?

Kelly Jones: About 2 weeks – I worked with a mezcal anthropologist who helped me to map out the region and meet some of the most talented master distillers (Maestro Mezcaleros) both in the city and out in the field. Oaxaca City is a colorful place filled with some of the best ingredients and dishes I’ve ever tasted. Surrounding it is the wide-open landscape of agave fields and distilleries.

Kelly + Jones Mescal Collection Blanca and Negra

HC: What about tequila? Should we be looking for a Collection in the future?

Kelly + Jones Mezcal Roja

HC: Do you have a favorite Mezcal to sip?

Kelly Jones: I’m lucky to be able to bring back some incredible, unlabeled mezcals from Oaxaca, usually vintages that are decanted inside the Palenque (distillery) into glass bottles. I had a Pechuga that had been aged in leather. The strangest mezcal I’ve ever tried was a small taste of a batch soaked with scorpions! I didn’t bring back a bottle of that… In terms of what we can get here in the states – if you can find a bottle of Cinco Sentidos, I highly recommend it.

HC: What is your approach to the line versus your wine-pairing collection?

Kelly Jones: With the Wine Pairings collection, each fragrance was inspired by various varietals of wine. I took the very same approach with the mezcal collection. I looked at the terroir of the Oaxacan agave fields, and the types of agave used in various mezcals, and pulled fragrance notes out of those stories.

Piña is the heart of the Agave

HC: What’s easier to mimic, the notes of wine or mezcal?

Kelly Jones: Mezcal, in my opinion, has an even wilder range of aromas than wine. I loved being able to discover unexpected essences inspired by the terroir, like lots of vegetals, woody mesquites, umami, and meaty notes, diesel-like aromas.

HC: What are your favorite notes to work with?

Kelly Jones: Galbanum, Leather accords, and Guaiac wood.

HC: What perfumer(s) did you use for this Collection?

Kelly Jones: It was an honor to work with Steven Claisse, VP & Perfumer at Takasago.

Town Square in Oaxaca City

HC: Your approach to promoting your brand has been to the wine trade and wineries than through the traditional fragrance channels. What is your approach to the Mezcal collection?

Kelly Jones: The collection has given me such an incredible opportunity to collaborate with various organizations and people in Mexico, from government officials to local chefs. It’s all about celebrating the art of mezcal and appreciating the stories and spiritual aspects that go into it. We give a portion of sales to Programa Vaca, a charity in Mexico that helps rural residents to build using sustainable, natural materials.

Kelly + Jones Mescal Collection Añejo

HC: What’s your best-selling scent in the Kelly + Jones Mezcal Collection?

Kelly Jones: Mezcal Roja. The new Mezcal Añejo is becoming quickly beloved as well.

HC: Can you share if you are working on a new scent? Notes? Release date?

Kelly Jones: The Mezcal Añejo is a golden limited edition. Think silver for Spring…

Join Kelly + Jones Sunday, November 13th, at 7 pm EST for a LIVE EVENT launch of Mezcal Añejo. Learn about the aromas of mezcal and celebrate the launch, and shop-exclusive specials! Follow the Link Here

Kelly+Jones fragrances can be purchased through her website or through many retailers listed on there under About – Where to Buy.

Hernando Courtright ~ Senior Events Contributor and Brand Ambassador

All Photos are courtesy of Kelly + Jones except where credited otherwise and cannot be reproduced without permission.

KELLY + JONES Mezcal Collection gift set apped by Michelyn using Kelly +Jones photos

Thanks to the generosity of Kelly Jones we have a draw for the Eau de Mezcal Perfume Oil Gift Set of Blanca, Negra and Roja We have a USA draw for one registered reader. You must register here. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about Hernando’s interview with Kelly Jones and her Kelly + Jones Mezcal Collection. Draw closes 11/16/2022.

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