Tequila Tasting -Masterclass and Blind Tasting

The most useful thing about this tequila masterclass is that it teaches you how to taste, not simply how to drink. Alex Galina, an international sommelier and agave expert, explains what separates Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra-Añejo, and Joven tequila, then puts those lessons to work with a comparative tasting.

I like the clear 45-minute class followed by 45 minutes of tasting, and I like that the focus reaches beyond tequila to the basic tools of judging alcoholic drinks. The cozy tasting room, excellent pours, and three or four gourmet tapas make this feel more substantial than a quick bar sample. One caution: the title promises a blind tasting, but the format may not be fully blind, and the tasting portion can feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Five tequila classifications: Compare Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra-Añejo, and Joven in one sitting.
• Alex Galina leads the session: You learn from an international sommelier and agave expert with a direct, no-nonsense teaching style.
• Two-part format: The first 45 minutes focus on technique and theory, followed by 45 minutes of comparative tasting.
• Tapas are included: Expect three or four gourmet tapas or canapes alongside the tequila.
• Private experience: Only your group takes part, at the ICAVI Tasting Room in central San Miguel de Allende.
• Plan ahead: The experience costs $125 per person, is offered in English, and is commonly booked about 16 days ahead.

Why this is more than a tequila flight

Many tequila tastings amount to a few pours and a quick explanation of aging. This one aims higher. Alex Galina first gives you a working method for judging spirits, then uses tequila as the lesson in front of you.

That matters because tequila labels can be confusing. Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo are familiar names, but Extra-Añejo and Joven are less clear to many drinkers. Tasting all five classifications together gives you a useful point of comparison. You can notice how time, blending, and production choices affect the drink instead of trying to remember isolated facts.

The session also treats tasting as a skill rather than a performance. Alex breaks down the mystery and hype surrounding sommeliers and explains the subject in plain terms. His approach is rooted in both science and sensory judgment, which should appeal to curious beginners and to people who already enjoy spirits.

The strongest appeal is its practical value. You leave with a better chance of judging tequila at a restaurant, tasting room, or shop after your visit to San Miguel. You are not just told which bottle is expensive. You are shown what to look for.

The first 45 minutes with Alex Galina

The opening half of the session is the masterclass. Alex introduces tequila and agave spirits, then explains how to approach a glass. The available information does not provide a minute-by-minute script, so you should not expect a fixed lecture with a detailed printed syllabus.

You can expect the class to compare the five main styles offered in the tasting:

• Blanco: Usually the least aged style, useful for noticing the character of the spirit without much influence from barrels.
• Reposado: Rested in wood, allowing you to compare fresh agave notes with some barrel influence.
• Añejo: Aged longer, giving you another way to assess how time changes aroma, flavor, and texture.
• Extra-Añejo: The most heavily aged classification in this lineup, often used for premium bottlings.
• Joven: A less familiar category that adds another point of comparison to the flight.

Those descriptions are starting points, not promises about the exact bottles served. The value comes from tasting the styles side by side and listening to how Alex connects the glass to production and quality.

His teaching style is a major part of the experience. He is described as funny, engaging, and open to questions, with a direct approach that avoids unnecessary ceremony. That makes a difference in a subject that can easily become stuffed with grand language. If you are the sort of person who wants to ask why one spirit smells sweeter or why another feels smoother, this format should suit you.

The class has also worked well for people with technical interests. One couple of chemical engineers found Alex especially effective, suggesting that he can explain both the sensory and scientific sides of the subject without reducing everything to jargon.

Still, this is not a certification course. You will gain useful tasting tools, but the session lasts only about 90 minutes. Think of it as a focused introduction with premium samples, not a full professional sommelier program.

The comparative tasting and what you actually drink

After the class, the tasting takes about 45 minutes. This is where the lesson becomes concrete. You compare the tequila classifications instead of tasting each pour in isolation.

That structure is smart. If you drink one tequila at a time, it is easy to accept the guide’s description without forming your own judgment. Comparison gives you a better chance to notice contrasts in aroma, body, finish, and the effect of aging.

The selection focuses on prestigious and exclusive tequilas from Mexico. Exact brands and pour sizes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a published bottle list. The emphasis is on the range of styles and the quality of the selection, rather than on a particular label.

The experience is marketed as a blind tasting, but there is an important qualification. The format may not actually hide the identities of every sample. If a truly blind setup is essential to you, ask the provider how the tasting is arranged before booking.

That point does not erase the value of the session. A comparative tasting can still teach you a lot even when you know, or can work out, what you are drinking. It simply means you should treat blind as a loose description rather than a guaranteed formal test.

The tasting may also feel slightly compressed. One hour is set aside for the class and one for the pours, and the tasting can run short on time if questions take up much of the first section. I would arrive ready to listen, taste, and keep the discussion moving. If you linger over every glass, you may feel hurried near the end.

Gourmet tapas at the ICAVI Tasting Room

Three or four gourmet tapas or canapes are included. The menu is small, but that is appropriate for a 90-minute tasting. A few bites can refresh your palate and give you something to eat while sampling several strong spirits.

Do not read this as a full dinner. The information provided does not list the individual tapas, portion sizes, or dietary substitutions. If you need a meal, eat beforehand or plan dinner afterward.

The food also has a practical role. Tasting several tequilas on an empty stomach is not a good plan, especially when the pours are described as excellent and the session moves at a steady pace. A light meal before the appointment can help you stay focused on the teaching rather than the alcohol.

The tasting room itself is described as cozy and charming. That suggests a more intimate setting than a large public bar, and the private format reinforces that feeling. Only your group participates, so you can ask questions without competing with a large crowd.

What the $125 price means

At $125 per person, this is not a casual add-on for someone who simply wants one tequila drink. You are paying for a private experience, an expert-led class, several premium samples, and tapas in San Miguel de Allende.

The price makes the most sense if you value instruction. A standard flight may cost less, but it will not necessarily teach you how to compare classifications or judge quality across spirits. Here, the lesson is part of what you are buying.

The private format also affects the value. Your group has the full session rather than joining a large public tasting. That can make the cost easier to justify for couples, families of adult drinkers, or friends who want to ask a lot of questions.

I would not recommend this solely because the tequilas are said to be prestigious. Expensive pours are not automatically better for your palate. The better reason to book is the combination of premium samples and a structured method for understanding them.

The price is harder to justify if you already have strong tequila knowledge and want a long, leisurely tasting. The 90-minute schedule is focused, and the final tasting may feel rushed. In that case, a slower bottle-by-bottle session might suit you better, though this particular experience offers a stronger educational element.

Who will enjoy this San Miguel experience

This works best for adults who want context with their drinks. You do not need prior tequila experience. In fact, beginners may gain the most because the class gives you a framework before asking you to compare the pours.

It also suits people who already enjoy wine, whisky, mezcal, or other spirits. Alex’s approach covers broader tasting skills, not just tequila. You may find the method useful the next time you assess any alcoholic beverage.

The experience should appeal to:

• Couples looking for a polished evening activity
• Small groups who prefer a private setting
• Curious beginners who want more than a basic flight
• Spirit drinkers interested in aging and classification
• People who enjoy science, production, and sensory detail
• Visitors who want an indoor activity in central San Miguel

It is less suitable for someone who wants a large meal, a casual party, or a long social night. It is also a poor match if you dislike structured teaching or do not want to spend time discussing how alcohol tastes.

The tone is lively rather than stiff. Alex is described as funny, open to questions, and free of unnecessary pretense. That can help if the usual language of sommeliers puts you off.

Timing, meeting point, and practical planning

The experience begins and ends at Recreo 10A, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. Since the activity returns to the same meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

It is listed for Tuesdays between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM. The experience itself lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so the broad opening window likely allows for scheduled start times. Check your confirmation for the precise appointment time.

The central location is useful if you are already in the historic core. The meeting point is near public transportation, and a mobile ticket is accepted. Confirmation is provided at booking, which gives you the key details before the appointment.

The experience is offered in English. That is important because the class depends on subtle descriptions of aroma, taste, texture, and finish. You should be comfortable following an English-language discussion to get the full benefit.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The supplied details do not give a minimum age, alcohol-free alternative, or specific information about mobility access, so ask the provider directly if any of those points affect your plans.

Since the activity includes several tequila samples, do not schedule a demanding outing immediately afterward. You may be able to continue your evening, but plan with the alcohol in mind. The session is designed for tasting, not merely for taking a sip and moving on.

How to get the most from the class

I would book this early in your San Miguel stay if tequila and Mexican spirits are a real interest. That gives you time to use what you learn later in the trip. You can read labels with more confidence, compare menus, and decide what styles you prefer.

Arrive ready to participate. Alex’s teaching works best when you ask questions and pay attention to your own senses. You do not need the right vocabulary at the start. Notice what you smell and taste first, then use the guide’s terms to sharpen your impressions.

A few simple habits will help:

• Eat something before the appointment, but avoid arriving overly full.
• Leave enough time to reach Recreo 10A without rushing.
• Keep your evening schedule flexible after the tasting.
• Ask before booking if the blind portion is essential to you.
• Confirm the exact Tuesday start time in your booking details.
• Treat the session as an educational tasting rather than a full dinner.

You should also pace yourself. The point is to compare the tequilas, not to finish every pour quickly. If you are sharing the experience with friends, do not let conversation crowd out the tasting itself.

Cancellation and booking details

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Canceling within 24 hours, or requesting changes during that period, does not qualify for a refund.

The experience is commonly booked about 16 days ahead. That is useful planning information, especially if you are visiting San Miguel on fixed dates. Booking early also gives you time to confirm the exact start time, the tasting format, and any dietary or accessibility questions.

Is the tequila masterclass worth booking?

I would book it if you want a private, educational tequila experience and you enjoy learning from an expert. Alex Galina’s direct teaching style, the five-style comparison, the premium selection, and the included tapas give the session more substance than a basic tasting flight.

I would pause if you are mainly seeking a full meal, a relaxed party, or a formally blind tasting. The tasting can feel rushed, and the blind format may not be completely blind in practice.

For most curious drinkers, the best reason to book is simple: you will leave with a better way to judge tequila. That makes the $125 price reasonable for a special San Miguel activity, particularly for a couple or private group that values instruction as much as the drinks.

FAQ

Where does the tequila tasting begin?

It begins at Recreo 10A, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Recreo 10A.

How long does the tequila masterclass last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How is the 90 minutes divided?

The format includes about 45 minutes of masterclass instruction and 45 minutes of comparative tasting.

Which tequila styles are included?

The experience compares Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra-Añejo, and Joven tequila.

Who leads the masterclass?

Alex Galina, an international sommelier and agave expert, leads the session.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are food items included?

Yes. The sample menu includes three to four gourmet tapas or canapes.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.