Reviewed · PREMIUM AND ARTISANAL TEQUILA TASTINGS
Premium Mezcal Tasting and Class
Mezcal La Reliquia offers a fast, unusual tour through Mexico’s agave spirits, with pours ranging from Tóbala, Cuishe, and Tepextate to coffee, fruit, worm, and scorpion infusions. I like the wide range and the private format, which should let you ask questions without competing with a large group.
I also like the local snack pairing: chips with coconut and spices, mole, and toasted grasshoppers. The main concern is reliability. One booking ended with no operator appearing, and another visitor found the experience was mostly tastings with little history, so confirm that the activity is running before you make special plans around it.
Key points to know before booking

- Thirteen distinct mezcal styles are listed, including wild agave, aged, infused, and triple-distilled pours.
- A private tasting means only your own group participates.
- The class lasts about 75 minutes, a good fit for a short stop in Crucecita.
- Chapulines with mole provide a traditional Oaxacan-style snack pairing.
- The educational portion may vary, so ask how much time will be given to production and culture.
- Operational reliability deserves attention, since a past booking reportedly became a no-show.
What the 75-minute mezcal class is really offering

This is not simply a quick shot at a bar. The planned format begins with an explanation of how mezcal developed, how producers make it, and why the spirit matters in Mexican culture. You should then move into a long tasting flight paired with a small local snack.
That structure gives you two ways to judge the experience. If you want a compact introduction to mezcal styles, the number of samples is the main draw. If you want a serious lesson on production, ask at the start how much time will be spent on the teaching portion. A past experience reportedly included tastings but little history, so the educational side may not always match the advertised plan.
The session is private, which matters more here than it would on a basic sightseeing stop. Mezcal can be unfamiliar, and you may want to ask why one pour tastes smoky, why another tastes herbal, or how aging changes the spirit. In a private setting, you can set the pace and admit that you do not know the difference between agave varieties without feeling rushed.
The activity is offered in English. The provided information does not name the guide, so you should not expect a particular host unless the operator confirms one before your visit.
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The opening lesson: agave, production, and culture

The first part is meant to explain how mezcal came to be and how it is made. It also covers the creative process and the drink’s cultural importance in the past and present.
That context is useful because mezcal is not one fixed flavor. The plant variety, production method, distillation, infusion, and aging can all change what reaches your glass. A basic explanation at the beginning helps you understand why a wild-agave pour should not taste like a coffee-infused one, and why an aged mezcal belongs in a different part of the tasting.
The lesson is also where the tour can become more than a novelty stop. Infused mezcals with worms, scorpions, coffee, and fruit are easy to remember, but they do not tell the whole story of the spirit. The most useful teaching should help you compare those dramatic flavors with the character of the agave itself.
Keep your expectations measured. The experience is only about an hour and 15 minutes, and the tasting list is ambitious. That leaves limited time for a long technical talk, especially if the host is also pouring and explaining each sample.
Comparing silver, infused, and triple-distilled pours
The tasting begins with a silver triple-distillation mezcal. Silver generally signals an unaged style, while triple distillation points to a particular production choice. The important value for you is comparison: this pour gives you an early reference point before the more flavored samples arrive.
You will also try an agave-worm-infused mezcal and a scorpion-infused mezcal. These are conversation starters, but they are not necessarily the best measures of the underlying spirit. Infusions can add strong flavors and novelty, so treat them as part of the broader tasting rather than the entire lesson.
The two coffee-infused mezcals offer a chance to compare variations within one flavor family. If you enjoy coffee drinks, these may be the easiest pours to approach. Still, ask whether the coffee comes through as roasted, sweet, bitter, or simply aromatic. That sort of question turns a novelty sample into a useful tasting exercise.
Three fruit-infused mezcals round out this section. Fruit can make a spirit seem softer or more familiar, but it may also cover the agave character. Try to notice what remains underneath the added flavor. If you are tasting with friends, sharing first impressions can be more useful than simply deciding which one tastes sweetest.
Wild agave: Tóbala, Cuishe, and Tepextate
The wild-agave portion is likely to be the most important part for anyone who wants to understand mezcal beyond flavored pours. You will sample Tóbala, Cuishe, and Tepextate, three named agave types presented as wild agave selections.
The key benefit is side-by-side comparison. Rather than tasting one mezcal and trying to remember it later, you can compare three pours during the same sitting. Pay attention to aroma, texture, and finish, not just smoke. The supplied information does not provide tasting notes, so your own palate will need to do the work.
These samples also give the class a stronger connection to Mexican agave traditions than the novelty infusions alone. You can ask how the three types differ, how the agave affects the final drink, and why wild agave is treated separately from other selections. The answers will show you how much substance the class provides.
Do not assume wild means automatically better. It means a different category of agave, not a guaranteed favorite. You may prefer the coffee or fruit pours, and that is fine. The point of this part is to help you identify what you actually like.
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Three aged mezcals, from three to twelve years
The tasting includes a three-year aged premium mezcal, a seven-year premium aged mezcal, and a 12-year premium aged mezcal. This is a useful progression because it lets you compare age statements rather than taste a single aged bottle in isolation.
You should ask how each was aged and what changes the producer expects over time, but the provided details do not specify the barrels or storage method. Do not assume that the oldest pour will be your favorite. Age can change a spirit’s character, but preference depends on whether you enjoy a cleaner agave profile or a rounder, more developed style.
The three pours may also be the most valuable part of the session for someone considering a bottle purchase later. You get a chance to see how much difference age makes before spending more on a premium mezcal. The tour does not state that bottles or purchases are included, so think of this strictly as a tasting comparison.
With so many samples on the menu, pace yourself. You are not required to finish every pour, and the goal is to taste carefully rather than treat the session as a race. The experience includes alcoholic beverages, but no separate food package is described beyond the listed starter.
Chapulines with mole and a local snack pairing
The listed starter is chapulines con mole: chips covered with a coconut and spice sauce, then sprinkled with toasted grasshoppers. This is a small but meaningful detail. It gives you a local snack to try alongside the mezcal instead of leaving every pour disconnected from food.
Chapulines are not included simply for shock value. Their toasted, savory character can work differently with coffee, fruit, wild-agave, and aged pours. Try the snack with more than one style and notice which combinations work for you.
The menu is limited. You should not book this expecting a meal, and the information does not list additional dishes. If you need substantial food, plan accordingly before or after the 75-minute session.
For many people, this pairing will be the most memorable cultural touch. It also makes the tasting feel less like a row of samples and more like a small introduction to local flavors. Still, anyone uncomfortable with insects should know exactly what is served before booking.
Private format, meeting point, and timing
The activity begins at C. Carrizal 601, H, 70989 Crucecita, Oaxaca, and ends at the same meeting point. It is near public transportation, but no pickup service is listed. You should plan to reach the address on your own and allow enough time to find the exact entrance.
Several start times are available, which helps if you are fitting the tasting between other Huatulco plans. At about 75 minutes, it is short enough to work as a morning or afternoon activity. Since the tasting includes many pours, avoid placing it immediately before a demanding activity.
The private format is one of the clearest advantages. Only your group participates, so the experience can suit couples, families with adults of legal drinking age, or a small group of friends with different levels of mezcal experience. It may be less appealing if you prefer a lively shared group where you can compare reactions with strangers.
The mobile ticket makes arrival simple, and confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed. The activity is offered in English, but the available details do not describe the physical layout or whether every part of the venue is wheelchair accessible.
Is the tasting good value?
No price is provided here, so I cannot make a fair cost comparison with other Huatulco activities. The value depends on what you want from the hour and 15 minutes.
If you are mainly paying for variety, the menu is generous. You receive silver triple-distilled mezcal, two coffee infusions, three fruit infusions, worm and scorpion infusions, three wild-agave selections, and three aged pours. That is a lot of range for one private sitting.
If you are paying for a class, the value is less certain. The planned introduction covers origins, production, creative methods, and culture, but one past booking described the session as tastings with no history. Before you pay, ask the operator to confirm that the educational portion is currently being offered.
There is also a serious reliability issue. One booking reportedly resulted in a no-show, with the location indicating that the operator had stopped during the main pandemic. That may reflect an outdated operation or a problem that has since been fixed, but it is still practical information. Confirm the date, time, and meeting point directly, especially if you are visiting Huatulco for only a short stay.
The cancellation terms are favorable: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That gives you some protection, but it does not replace confirming that the operator is active.
Who should book this Huatulco experience?
I would consider this for an adult who wants to sample many mezcal styles without committing to a long excursion outside Crucecita. The private format suits people who want questions answered at their own pace, and the English presentation helps if you do not speak Spanish.
It is also a good match for someone who likes unusual food and drink. The scorpion and worm infusions, fruit and coffee variations, wild agave, aged pours, and chapulines make this more adventurous than a standard bar tasting.
I would be cautious if your main goal is a polished lesson on traditional mezcal production. The session may provide that, but the available information does not guarantee how much time the guide will spend on history or technique. Ask before booking.
I would also be cautious if you are relying on a tight schedule. The activity is short, but the past no-show issue means you should not place an important connection or reservation immediately afterward without confirming the operator.
Should you book Mezcal La Reliquia?
Book it if you value a broad tasting menu, a private setting, and a short activity in Crucecita. The strongest reasons are the chance to compare wild agave and aged mezcals with coffee, fruit, worm, and scorpion infusions, plus the chapulines and mole pairing.
Before booking, confirm that Mezcal La Reliquia is operating on your chosen date and that the class includes the promised explanation of mezcal’s history, production, and cultural role. If the operator confirms those points, this could be a fun and unusual addition to a Huatulco stay.
If you want a dependable, lecture-focused class above all else, wait for that confirmation. The tasting selection is appealing, but the past no-show and inconsistent educational experience make a quick check essential.
FAQ
How long does the Premium Mezcal Tasting and Class last?
The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Where does the activity begin and end?
It begins at C. Carrizal 601, H, 70989 Crucecita, Oaxaca, Mexico, and ends back at the same meeting point.
Is the tasting private?
Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.
What mezcals can I try?
The listed tasting includes a silver triple-distillation mezcal, worm-infused and scorpion-infused mezcals, two coffee-infused mezcals, three fruit-infused mezcals, Tóbala, Cuishe, and Tepextate wild-agave mezcals, plus three aged mezcals aged for three, seven, and 12 years.
Is food included?
Alcoholic beverages are included. The listed starter is chips with coconut and spice sauce, mole, and toasted grasshoppers.
Is the experience offered in English?
Yes. The activity is offered in English.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.
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