Tequila Tasting -Masterclass and Blind Tasting

The real point of this 90-minute tequila masterclass is learning how to taste, not simply drinking a row of shots. International sommelier and agave expert Alex Galina explains how to judge quality, then guides you through Mexico’s main tequila classifications with small gourmet tapas along the way.

I like the clear two-part format: 45 minutes of instruction followed by 45 minutes of tasting. I also like the intimate setting at ICAVI Tasting Room, where your private group can ask questions instead of being lost in a large crowd. The catch is that the tasting may feel rushed, and one important detail is worth knowing: despite the title, one participant found that the tasting was not fully blind.

Key points to know before booking

• Alex Galina leads the class: He is an international sommelier and agave specialist accredited in four countries.
• Five tequila styles are compared: You taste blanco, reposado, añejo, extra-añejo, and joven.
• The class teaches a wider tasting method: The focus includes judging alcoholic drinks beyond tequila.
• The tasting room is in central San Miguel: You begin and end at Recreo 10A in Zona Centro.
• Tapas are included: Expect three to four gourmet tapas or canapes.
• Plan around alcohol: The pours are educational but substantial enough that you may not leave entirely sober.

What this San Miguel tequila class is really about

Many tequila tastings amount to a few pours, a quick explanation, and a sales pitch. This experience aims higher. Alex Galina breaks down the language and habits of professional tasting, then applies that method to tequila. You are not just told which bottle is expensive. You learn what to notice and how to form your own opinion.

That makes the class useful even if you are not a tequila expert. You might already know that blanco is clear and añejo spends time in oak, but the differences can seem vague when you taste them one after another. The value here comes from comparison. Your palate has a better chance of noticing how aging changes color, scent, texture, and flavor when the samples arrive as part of one guided lesson.

Alex’s teaching style is direct and relaxed. He has been described as a no-nonsense sommelier who explains the subject without hiding behind complicated terms. That matters because spirits can quickly become a parade of technical words. His job is to make the ideas practical enough for you to use at a restaurant, tasting room, or liquor shop later.

The class also treats tasting as a skill rather than a ceremony. You learn to slow down, smell before sipping, and compare what you notice. That approach can be useful with wine, mezcal, beer, or other spirits too. One participant, a pair of chemical engineers, found the method especially engaging because Alex could discuss both the scientific and artistic sides of tasting.

The first 45 minutes: a working lesson in tequila

The experience begins with the masterclass portion. This is the time to pay attention, because it gives structure to everything that follows. Alex introduces the tequila categories and explains how to compare them instead of treating each sample as an isolated drink.

The listed classifications are blanco, reposado, añejo, extra-añejo, and joven. That range gives you a useful map of tequila styles. Blanco is generally the least oak-influenced expression, while reposado and añejo show more time in barrels. Extra-añejo represents a longer-aged style. Joven is included as its own category, giving the class a chance to show that tequila is not simply a straight line from young to old.

The benefit of tasting all five is practical. If you have only tried tequila in a mixed drink, you may discover that the spirit has far more range than the familiar party image suggests. If you already drink tequila, the side-by-side approach helps you decide which styles fit your taste and which are less appealing.

Alex also explains how to gauge quality. That does not mean you will leave with a magic formula for spotting every good bottle. It does mean you should have a clearer way to think about aroma, balance, finish, texture, and the effect of aging. You can use those ideas without buying the most expensive bottle on the shelf.

This part is also where the class earns its claim to be more than a typical tasting. The teaching is not limited to tequila facts. It uses tequila as a case study in how to taste alcohol in general. That is a good fit if you enjoy food and drink but never learned the basic mechanics of evaluating it.

The next 45 minutes: comparing premium bottles

The second half moves from theory to tasting. You compare a selection of prestigious and exclusive tequilas, working through the classifications introduced earlier. Expect the lesson to become more personal here. You can ask why one sample feels smoother, sweeter, drier, heavier, or more complex than another.

Three to four gourmet tapas or canapes accompany the experience. Their role is not just to provide a snack. Food gives you a chance to notice how the spirit changes alongside different flavors, and it helps pace a tasting that may otherwise feel like a succession of pours.

The portions and exact dishes are not specified, so you should think of the food as a light accompaniment rather than a full meal. If you are arriving hungry, have a proper meal before or after the class. The tapas are useful, but they should not be your only plan for dinner.

The word blind in the experience title deserves a small qualification. One participant specifically noted that the tasting was not actually blind. If you are booking because you want a strict test with hidden labels and no clues, ask about the format when you arrive. The comparison still has value, but you should not assume that every bottle will be concealed from you.

The tasting can also move quickly. The advertised split is evenly divided, yet some of the teaching may run long or questions may take time from the final pours. If you want to examine every glass at leisure, this may feel compressed. I would treat it as an introductory class with a guided comparison, not an unhurried evening of sipping.

Why Alex Galina makes a difference

The host is central to this experience. Alex Galina is identified as an international sommelier and agave expert, and his credentials include accreditation in four countries. More important for you, his teaching style appears to combine expertise with humor and plain explanations.

Several specific qualities make him a strong fit for this type of class. He welcomes questions, avoids unnecessary pretense, and can adapt his explanations to people with different levels of experience. That is useful in a private group where one person may know tequila well while another is taking a first serious look at it.

His method also seems to work for analytical minds. The class links chemistry, production, sensory perception, and personal taste without insisting that one of those matters more than the others. You get the reasons behind the tasting steps, not just instructions to swirl and sniff.

The enthusiasm is part of the appeal, but it is not the only thing that matters. A friendly host can make a poor tasting pleasant, yet this class needs someone who can make distinctions clear across several tequila styles. Alex’s background and teaching approach are the main reasons the $125 price can make sense.

What you get for $125

At $125 per person, this is not a bargain bar crawl or a casual tequila flight. You are paying for a private, expert-led lesson, a selection of premium tequilas, and tapas in a central San Miguel setting. The price makes the most sense if you value instruction as much as the drinks.

It is also a good option for a special occasion or a small group with shared interest in food and spirits. A private format means only your group participates, which gives you more freedom to ask basic questions or pursue a technical discussion. You do not need to worry about slowing down a large room.

The value is weaker if you only want to sample tequila. You can find less expensive ways to try several pours, and the 90-minute length limits how slowly you can enjoy each glass. The experience earns its price through the teaching, the range of classifications, and access to high-end selections.

I would also factor in the drinking pace. A person who described the experience as an excellent introduction warned that you are unlikely to leave sober. That is not a flaw in itself, but it changes the practical calculation. Eat beforehand, take your time, and do not schedule a demanding activity immediately afterward.

Location, timing, and getting there

The meeting point is Recreo 10A in Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. The activity returns to the same location, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point or figure out where the tasting ends.

The listed operating day is Tuesday, with hours from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The experience itself lasts about one hour and 30 minutes, so confirm the exact start time when booking. The late afternoon and evening schedule fits neatly into a day of sightseeing, though you should leave enough time to arrive at Recreo 10A without rushing.

Because the meeting point is in the central zone and near public transportation, it should be straightforward to reach using the local options available in San Miguel. The information provided does not include hotel pickup, so plan to make your own way to the tasting room.

The activity is offered in English. That makes it a practical choice if you want detailed explanations about production and tasting without relying on translation.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to you if you like understanding what you are drinking. It suits curious beginners, tequila drinkers who want a better vocabulary, couples looking for a polished evening activity, and small groups who enjoy asking questions.

It is especially useful early in a San Miguel visit. The class gives you a framework for ordering tequila later, choosing among blanco, reposado, and añejo, and thinking more carefully about the difference between reputation and quality. Doing it near the start of your stay also gives you time to use what you learn.

It may not suit you if you dislike strong spirits, want a full meal, or prefer a slow tasting with long pauses between samples. It is also not ideal if the idea of a blind test is the main reason you are booking, since the format may not be fully blind.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The private setup is helpful for groups with mixed experience levels because the pace and questions stay within your own party.

Booking, cancellation, and a few practical cautions

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, with the cutoff based on local time.

This experience is often booked about 16 days ahead. That is not a rule, but it is a useful planning signal if your San Miguel dates are fixed. Tuesday is the listed operating day, so check availability before building your evening plans around it.

I would wear something comfortable and arrive ready to concentrate. The class asks you to smell, taste, compare, and ask questions over a fairly short period. You will get more from it if you treat the alcohol as part of a lesson rather than racing through the samples.

Should you book this tequila masterclass?

Book it if you want a serious introduction to tequila led by Alex Galina, with a private group, premium samples, and a useful tasting method. The strongest reasons are the comparison across five classifications, the chance to ask questions freely, and the way the lesson applies to spirits beyond tequila.

Skip it if you want a cheap flight, a full dinner, or a truly blind tasting with hidden labels throughout. At $125, the experience depends on your interest in learning. For a curious drinker, it offers more value than a standard pour-and-go stop. For someone who simply wants a few drinks, it is probably more class than you need.

FAQ

Where does the tequila tasting begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

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

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Who leads the masterclass?

Alex Galina leads the class. He is an international sommelier and agave expert with accreditation as a sommelier in four countries.

What tequila classifications are included?

The class compares blanco, reposado, añejo, extra-añejo, and joven tequilas.

How is the 90 minutes divided?

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

Is the tasting fully blind?

The experience is advertised as a blind tasting, but one participant noted that it was not actually blind. Ask about the exact format when you arrive if this matters to you.

Is food included?

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

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

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

Is this a private experience?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

When is it offered?

The listed operating day is Tuesday, with hours from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.