Small-group mezcal education, with a real test.

In San Miguel de Allende, this Mezcal Masterclass + Blind Tasting pairs a guided lesson with a 45-minute blind comparative tasting so you can spot differences the same way pros do. You learn from Alex Galina, an International Sommelier & agave expert, and then put your new senses to work by tasting mezcals tied to different regions, agave species, and production processes.

Two things I especially like: the format teaches tasting technique, not just facts, and the blind part forces you to pay attention to aroma, flavor, and balance instead of label hype. One possible drawback: since you’re sampling multiple mezcals in a 90-minute session, plan for an alcohol-affected evening and don’t stack plans right after.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Alex Galina’s masterclass focuses on agave and tasting technique, not just trivia
• Blind comparative tasting of 5 mezcals highlights how regions, agave species, and processes change the pour
• ICAVI Tasting Room in Centro keeps the vibe intimate, which helps you learn faster
• 3–4 tapas included so you’re tasting with a little food on board
• Private experience means only your group participates, ideal for couples or families

Mezcal Masterclass + Blind Tasting in San Miguel de Allende: what you’re really paying for

At $125 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, you’re not buying a “quick sip and photo” stop. You’re buying a guided tasting experience with structure: 45 minutes of instruction plus 45 minutes of blind tasting. That time split matters because it turns the session into a learning loop—think, taste, compare, then refine your judgment.

The price also makes more sense when you look at what’s included: a masterclass led by a named international agave expert, tastings that include 5 different mezcals in the blind portion, and 3–4 tapas. You’re paying for interpretation—how to notice what matters—plus the actual samples that let you test your palate while the guidance is still fresh.

And there’s another quiet value: it’s in Zona Centro, so you can tack this onto other sightseeing without needing a long transfer. Starting at Recreo 10A puts you in the middle of the action, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Meet Alex Galina: why the host matters more than most people expect

A mezcal tasting can be either a collection of opinions—or a method. This one is built around a professional guide: Alex Galina, described as an International Sommelier & Agave expert. That background shows up in the way these sessions tend to be taught: you get language for what you’re smelling and tasting, plus a process for comparing bottles fairly.

I like that the masterclass isn’t framed as “memorize these facts.” It’s framed as learn how to taste. That’s why people walk away talking about mezcal and also picking up transferable skills for other alcohol styles. If you’ve ever tasted wine or tequila and felt like you were missing the point, the tastings technique is often what makes it click.

There’s also a teaching vibe here. Feedback emphasizes that Alex is a strong teacher—someone who explains in a way that sticks—so you’re not left staring at glassware hoping for inspiration.

ICAVI Tasting Room in Centro: the learning-friendly setting

The experience takes place through ICAVI Tasting Room in San Miguel de Allende. Even without going into architectural details, the key practical point is the setting feels designed for tasting. Reviews mention a cute little tasting room, which usually means two things for you as the participant: fewer distractions and easier conversation.

That matters because a mezcal tasting is sensory work. If the room is loud or chaotic, it’s hard to focus on subtle differences. A compact tasting room also helps your guide keep the group moving and answer questions before you start the blind portion.

How the 45-minute masterclass sets you up to taste better

The session is structured with 45 minutes of masterclass first. This is the part where you build a tasting “map” in your head—what to pay attention to, how to compare, and what questions to ask while you taste.

Here’s what you can expect from the lesson phase:

• You’ll learn about hand-crafted mezcals, including what makes them different
• You’ll taste along with the teaching, so you connect the lesson to actual flavor right away
• You’ll pick up tasting techniques that go beyond mezcal, since some people mention getting insight into wine and tequila tasting methods too

This is the big reason the blind tasting works. If you jump straight into blind tasting, you might notice the differences but not know why. With the masterclass first, you get a way to interpret what you’re sensing.

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves a “hands-on” experience where you leave smarter than you arrived, this format is hard to beat.

The 45-minute blind comparative tasting: the real challenge

Then comes the fun part: 45 minutes of blind comparative tasting. This is where you taste 5 different mezcals tied to different regions, different agave species, and different production processes—without the cues that normally steer your expectations.

That’s a big deal. Labels and branding can trick you. Blind tasting strips that away and forces you to rely on aroma, flavor, texture, and the way the spirit finishes. In practice, it turns the tasting into a puzzle. You’re not just drinking—you’re making comparisons.

A few ways you’ll likely experience the blind portion:

• You’ll learn to sort your impressions fast (what stands out first versus what develops later)
• You’ll notice that “mezcal” isn’t one flavor category—production choices change the result
• You’ll start linking specific sensory clues to what might be happening in the background (agave type, origin, process)

Because the blind flight includes mezcals that vary by region and agave species, you’re tasting more than just one style of mezcal. You get range. And because the variation includes different process, you’re also learning that the same agave can behave differently depending on how it’s made.

Tapas during the session: why food matters for tasting

You’ll have a starter of 3–4 tapas as part of the experience. That’s not just a nice extra—it’s practical.

Mezcal tastings work best when you’re not hungry and not stuffed. Tapas help you:

• keep your energy steady during the blind portion
• reduce the harshness you might otherwise feel
• stay comfortable enough to pay attention for the full 45 minutes

If you’re planning dinner afterward, consider shifting the heavy meal to later and treating this like your “mid-afternoon to early evening food + tasting” plan.

Timing, meeting point, and what a smooth start looks like

This activity starts at Recreo 10A, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico, and ends back at the same meeting point. That simple routing is a plus in a walkable historic center—less stress, more time actually doing the experience.

The listing notes opening hours on Tuesdays from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. That doesn’t mean your exact start time is 4:00 PM, but it does tell you the day and window to plan around. Also, since the experience is offered in English, you can expect the explanations and blind-tasting guidance to be delivered in that language.

Two practical travel tips I recommend:

• Arrive a few minutes early so you can settle and start focused, not rushed
• If you’re with a group, agree ahead of time who’s driving, just because you’ll be tasting spirits

Price and value: is $125 a good deal here?

For $125 per person, the value question comes down to three things: instruction quality, the number and variety of samples, and how long the experience lasts.

Here’s how it holds up:

• Instruction quality: You’re taught by a named expert, Alex Galina, and the masterclass has a structured purpose
• Sample variety: The blind portion uses 5 mezcals that vary across regions, agave species, and process, which is what you need for real comparison
• Time: 90 minutes is long enough to learn and then test what you learned, instead of rushing through five short sips

Add 3–4 tapas and the setting is in Centro, and it becomes a fairly efficient evening plan. You’re also not arranging multiple stops yourself—this is one ticket that bundles the core mezcal tasting elements into a single guided experience.

If you already love mezcal and want pure volume only, you might find cheaper tastings. But if you want to understand why mezcals taste different, this price can feel fair fast.

Who should book this, and who might prefer something else

This experience fits best if you:

• want a guided tasting method you can reuse later
• enjoy hands-on learning and want to compare multiple mezcals in one sitting
• like the idea of a blind flight as a challenge, not a gimmick
• are in San Miguel de Allende for a short time and want a high-impact cultural activity in Centro

It may be less ideal if you:

• dislike alcohol tastings or get uncomfortable with stronger flavors
• want a long, slow crawl through many places—this is one focused session
• prefer purely casual sipping without explanation

For families, it can also work well. One family of four emphasized that they learned not only about mezcal, but also picked up tasting perspective that connects to tequila and wine.

Booking, private format, and how to plan your evening

This is a private tour/activity—only your group participates. That’s useful because it usually means more direct interaction and fewer bottlenecks while everyone tastes.

It also helps explain why it’s often booked in advance: the average booking window is about 21 days. If you’re traveling during a busy period, waiting can narrow your choices for Tuesday slots.

You’ll receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, which is convenient if you’re bouncing between sights in Centro. The meeting point being near public transportation is also a plus if you don’t want to worry about parking.

Finally, if you’re sensitive to alcohol or just want to stay fully sharp, I’d plan this as your main event for that evening, not a quick stop between two parties.

Should you book this Mezcal Masterclass + Blind Tasting?

I’d book it if you want to leave with a clearer sense of mezcal beyond the usual labels and marketing. The 45-minute masterclass plus 45-minute blind tasting of 5 mezcals is exactly the kind of structure that turns tasting into learning.

Skip it if you’re looking for a low-key, no-instruction casual drink. The point here is comparison and technique, and that takes a little focus.

If you’re in San Miguel de Allende on a Tuesday and you like the idea of learning from Alex Galina while tasting a spread that varies by agave species, region, and process, this is one of the more thoughtful uses of an evening you’ll find in Centro.

FAQ

How long is the mezcal masterclass and blind tasting?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes (approximately), split into 45 minutes of masterclass and 45 minutes of blind comparative tasting.

Where does the experience start, and does it return there?

The tour starts at Recreo 10A, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll learn and taste hand-crafted mezcales during the masterclass, then do a blind comparative tasting of 5 different mezcals that vary by region, agave species, and production process. 3–4 tapas are also included.

Who leads the masterclass, and is it in English?

The masterclass is led by Alex Galina. The experience is offered in English.

Is it a private tour or shared group?

It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

When does this activity run?

It’s listed on Tuesdays, with opening hours 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

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