A mezcal tasting that also means chocolate. The mix of five mezcals plus artisanal chocolate pairings turns agave culture into something you can actually taste and remember, not just hear about. I also like the small-group feel and how the guide connects flavors to stories, from legends to production basics in a way that sticks. One heads-up: at 2 hours, it’s packed, so pace matters if you prefer slow, long-form tastings.

What I like most is how the pairing is built around your senses—mezcal by region and agave type, then a traditional snack, then chocolate right after each glass. You’ll also get the culture side: where mezcal fits in ceremony, and how agaves lead to different aromas and flavors. The only possible drawback is that you’ll taste enough to feel it, so if you’re sensitive to alcohol, plan accordingly and take your time between pours.

Key things to know before you go

• Five mezcal tastings in one session, focused on different regions and agave types
• Chocolate after each pour, not just at the end, for a true pairing experience
• Traditional snacks + water to keep your palate clear and comfortable
• Agave basics that connect taste to origin, including how production standards work
• A storytelling-led guide (often Shamira in reviews) with helpful visual aids
• Time to shop afterward, since handmade pottery and chocolates may be available for purchase

Five mezcals, five chocolate pairings: what the tasting feels like

This is a structured, sensory tasting. You’ll enjoy five different mezcals, and each one comes with traditional snacks for pairing and palate preparation. After each glass, the experience shifts to fine Mexican cacao and an artisanal chocolate pairing, so you get a clear “before and after” effect.

The format is simple, and that’s the point. Mezcal isn’t just one taste; it’s many, shaped by the agave used and the region it comes from. When the chocolate arrives right after the mezcal, it helps you notice how sweetness, bitterness, and roast character can soften smoke notes—or sometimes make them feel sharper.

You’re also working your way through the tasting in a logical rhythm. Mezcals vary in aroma and flavor, snacks help reset your palate, then chocolate locks in what you just tasted. It’s the same idea as pairing in wine, except you’re pairing spirits with cacao and chocolate, which is a fun switch for first-timers.

Mezcal isn’t one bottle: agave types and regional flavors

The tour leans hard on the idea that mezcal depends on what it’s made from. In plain terms: just like grapes in wine, different agaves produce different flavors and aromas. The experience breaks that down so you’re not left staring at bottles with no map.

You’ll also learn that mezcal is produced across Mexico, often in artisanal ways, with strict production standards and denomination of origin. That matters because it explains why “mezcal” can taste very different from one area to the next. The guide ties your tasting back to the bigger cultural framework: plants, people, and place.

There’s also a cultural thread to the production story. The tour describes indigenous palenques—handmade production in traditional settings—and connects mezcal to ceremonies where it wasn’t for everyone. The message is that mezcal has social meaning, not just shelf value.

If you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re tasting (rather than just drinking it), this portion gives you a useful mental checklist. You start looking for smoke, sweetness, earthiness, and roasted notes, then connect those impressions to the agave and regional identity you’re learning.

The snack-and-water support that makes the pairing work

A lot of tastings forget the practical part: your palate needs a reset. This one includes traditional mezcal snacks and water, so you’re not trying to power through everything on empty. You’ll also be paired in the traditional way, including fruit along with snacks.

That fruit pairing detail is more than a nice touch. Fruit tends to brighten your palate, which helps you catch subtler flavors in mezcal instead of getting overwhelmed by smoke or alcohol heat. Snacks also give your mouth something neutral to chew so each pour reads clearly.

Water is included too, which is smart in a session with multiple tastings. You’re less likely to end up with muddled flavor perception by the end. If you’re a first-timer, this is one of the quiet value adds you’ll notice most.

The cacao and chocolate: fine Mexican cacao isn’t just dessert

After each mezcal, the tasting pivots to artisanal Mexican chocolate made from fine Mexican cacao. This is where the experience feels different from a typical spirits-only tour. Instead of saving chocolate for the last stop, you use it as a pairing tool after every pour.

Cacao character can swing a pairing in a few ways: it can echo roast notes, bring forward sweetness, or add complexity that makes smoke feel rounder. You’ll get to compare that effect repeatedly across the five mezcals, which turns chocolate from a treat into part of the tasting lesson.

One of the standout points from reviews is that the chocolates aren’t generic. In reviews, Shamira is described as sourcing products directly from locals in Oaxaca and other parts of Mexico, plus there’s mention of international award-winning fine Mexican chocolates. Even without obsessing over award claims, the takeaway for you is that the chocolate is treated as serious flavor, not as an afterthought.

The history and legends part: how the guide keeps it human

You’re not only tasting—you’re also hearing the story of mezcal: history, legends, and the cultural background around agave. The tour explains production processes and the broader meaning of mezcal in Mexico, including ceremonial context.

The best part here is the way the guide tells it. Reviews highlight that Shamira’s storytelling feels heartfelt rather than rehearsed. People also mention visual aids, which helps if you don’t want long lectures but still want real context while you taste.

That storytelling changes how you experience the pours. When you know mezcal is tied to specific agaves, specific places, and specific traditions, it’s easier to respect what you’re drinking. You stop chasing novelty and start reading the flavors like clues.

If you’re coming from Cancun or Playa del Carmen and you only have limited time in the Tulum area, this is a solid format. Two hours gives you an education plus a tasting circuit, without needing a full-day excursion.

Where it happens: Zona Nove, the bell, and the patio vibe

This tasting takes place in a dedicated tasting room at Zona Nove Building in La Veleta (Quintana Roo / Tulum area). The meeting instructions are clear and specific: ring the bell to get you, and the guide will be waiting at the main door about 5 minutes before the start time.

The building setup is also easy to spot once you know what to look for. On arrival, you’ll see a big white wall with an aluminum gate, and the bell is on the left side. Street parking is available outside the building, which is helpful if you’re driving or using a local pickup.

Reviews mention a lovely garden patio setting. If that matches what you’ll experience, it’s a big plus: you get to taste in a calmer atmosphere than a bar counter, and the sensory focus feels more natural.

Small group size: why the number 8 matters

This is limited to 8 participants, and that changes the entire feel. With fewer people, you’re more likely to get direct attention and faster pacing when you’re asking questions. It also helps keep the tasting intimate, which makes the pairing lesson easier to follow.

In a busy tasting room, it’s common to feel like you’re receiving drinks, not instruction. Here, the format and small-group setup support the “use your senses” approach. You’ll likely spend more time understanding what you’re tasting and less time waiting for the next pour.

If you’re traveling with a friend or you like learning without the crowd noise, this size is a sweet spot.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $102

At $102 per person for a 2-hour experience, it’s not a cheap snack-and-shot. But the value is in what’s included and how it’s structured.

You’re paying for:

• Five distinct mezcals (not one or two)
• traditional snacks plus water
• a repeated pairing element: fine Mexican cacao and artisanal chocolate after each pour
• guided context on production, legends, and cultural background
• a small-group setting limited to 8

So the question isn’t only the price—it’s whether the experience is teaching you how to taste and pairing your palate repeatedly. If you just want a quick drink, you’ll find cheaper options. If you want a guided “flavor education” with quality cacao and chocolate, this price starts to make sense.

Also, chocolate quality costs money, and here it’s treated as part of the tasting, not a side dish. Reviews also point to handmade pottery and additional chocolates available after the tasting, which can add extra value if you enjoy bringing home food gifts.

Who should book this mezcal and chocolate tasting

This tour fits you best if:

• you want a guided intro to mezcal with enough variety to compare
• you like pairing alcohol with food, especially chocolate made from Mexican cacao
• you care about agave types and how region changes flavor
• you prefer a small-group format and storytelling that stays accessible

It might be less ideal if you want a long, slow tasting with lots of downtime, because the session is built to cover five mezcals plus multiple pairings in 2 hours. It’s also worth thinking about alcohol sensitivity since you’ll taste multiple pours in one sitting.

Should you book? My practical call

I’d book this if your idea of a great day in Tulum is food and flavor with real context. The repeated pairing—mezcal, then fruit/snacks, then artisanal chocolate after each glass—is the kind of structure that makes the experience memorable for the right reasons.

One smart way to choose is to ask yourself this: do you want to learn what you’re tasting? If yes, this experience gives you both the sensory practice and the cultural background in a tight timeframe. If you just want to check mezcal off your list, you can probably find simpler options.

FAQ

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is at the tasting room in Zona Nove Building in Colonia La Veleta, C.P. 77760. You’ll ring the bell to be let in; the guide waits at the main door about 5 minutes before the start time.

What’s the address?

C. 9 sur, between C. 6 y 4 Sur, Colonia La Veleta, C.P. 77760. Parking is available on the street outside the building.

How long is the tasting?

It lasts 2 hours.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste five different mezcals and enjoy traditional mezcal snacks and water. You’ll also have fine Mexican cacao and artisanal Mexican chocolate paired after each glass.

Is this a small group?

Yes. It’s a small group limited to 8 participants.

What languages are offered?

The live tour guide speaks English and Spanish.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel or change plans?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.

Would you like me to tailor this review for a specific travel month (heat, timing, and what to pair if you’re chocolate-forward vs mezcal-forward)?

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