Tequila Tasting -Masterclass and Blind Tasting

Tequila gets serious here. This San Miguel de Allende experience pairs Alex Galina’s sommelier-led masterclass with a comparative tasting of prestigious Mexican tequilas. I like the clear two-part format: 45 minutes of instruction, followed by 45 minutes of sampling. I also like that it covers the full range from blanco to extra-añejo, rather than treating tequila as one simple category. The main caution is that the blind tasting may not always be fully blind, and the final tasting portion can feel rushed.

At $125 per person, this is not a quick shot-and-sip stop. You are paying for Alex’s teaching, a private setting, several gourmet tapas, and access to high-end bottles. It suits curious drinkers who want to understand what they are tasting, though people hoping to leave completely sober should plan carefully.

Key points at a glance

• Five tequila styles in one sitting: Compare blanco, reposado, añejo, extra-añejo, and joven.
• Alex Galina leads the class: He is an international sommelier and agave expert, with accreditation in four countries.
• Half class, half tasting: The roughly 90-minute format gives equal time to instruction and sampling.
• Private experience: Only your own group participates, making it easier to ask questions.
• Gourmet tapas included: Expect three to four tapas or canapes during the session.
• One important caveat: The tasting is advertised as blind, but it may not always be conducted that way.

Why this tequila class is more than a tasting

Many tequila tastings amount to a row of glasses and a few loose facts. This one aims to teach you how to judge quality, not just how to identify a favorite bottle. That distinction matters because it gives you a skill you can use later, in Mexico or at home.

Alex Galina is the central reason this works. He is presented as an international sommelier and agave expert, and he has accreditation in four countries. The feedback about his teaching is especially consistent: he is funny, direct, open to questions, and able to explain technical ideas without making the session feel stiff.

I like that balance. Sommelier language can become foggy fast, but Alex’s style is described as plain and free of pretense. He explains the science and the art of tasting, then lets you test those ideas against the tequilas in front of you.

The experience also reaches beyond tequila. You learn a general method for assessing alcoholic drinks, including how to notice aroma, texture, finish, and balance. That makes the $125 price easier to understand. You are not simply buying several pours. You are paying for instruction, guided comparison, food, and a private setting.

Starting at Recreo 10A in central San Miguel

The meeting point is Recreo 10A, in Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende. The activity begins and ends at the same address, which keeps the logistics simple. It is near public transportation, and mobile tickets are accepted.

The scheduled operating day is Tuesday, with sessions listed between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Since the full class lasts about an hour and a half, the actual start time will determine when your group finishes. Check your confirmation carefully, especially if you have dinner plans afterward.

San Miguel’s central streets can be busy with pedestrians, cars, and uneven pavement. The supplied information does not specify parking or hotel pickup, so do not assume either is included. Plan to reach Recreo 10A directly.

The setting is described as a cozy, charming tasting room. That sounds right for this kind of class. A smaller room makes it easier to hear the instructor, compare notes, and ask questions without shouting across a large bar.

The first 45 minutes: learning how tequila differs

The opening half is a structured masterclass. Alex introduces the main tequila classifications and explains how they differ in production, aging, color, aroma, and taste. You then use those ideas while sampling the bottles.

The five categories are:

• Blanco: Usually the clearest expression of the agave spirit, with little or no barrel aging.
• Reposado: Rested in wood long enough to develop a softer color and added barrel character.
• Añejo: Aged longer, often with more noticeable wood, spice, and roundness.
• Extra-añejo: The longest-aged category listed here, generally chosen for slow sipping.
• Joven: A blended or young style that can show characteristics from more than one type.

These short descriptions are only a starting point. The value of the class is learning how to taste the actual difference rather than memorizing labels.

I would pay close attention to how Alex explains quality. The point is not that an older tequila is automatically better. A blanco can be more expressive or better balanced than an over-oaked aged spirit, depending on the bottle and your taste. The class appears designed to cut through that kind of marketing hype.

This is also where the class may appeal to people who already know a little about spirits. Two participants with chemical engineering backgrounds found Alex especially engaging, suggesting that he can handle technical questions as well as beginner-level ones. You do not need a science background, though. His teaching style is described as accessible and energetic.

The next 45 minutes: comparing prestigious bottles

The second half shifts from explanation to direct comparison. You taste selected tequilas from the five categories and consider how each one changes across the palate.

This is the part I would value most. A bottle tasted alone can seem smooth, smoky, sweet, or harsh without much context. Tasting several styles in one session gives you a reference point. You can ask why one seems brighter, why another feels heavier, or why barrel aging changes the finish.

The selections are described as excellent and among the more prestigious and exclusive tequilas in Mexico. The exact brands and bottle list are not provided, so you should not expect a guaranteed lineup of particular labels. Still, the focus is clearly on quality rather than bargain pours.

One detail deserves a fair warning. The activity is called a blind tasting, but one account says it was not actually blind. That may mean the bottles were visible, the styles were known, or the format differed from what the participant expected. If a strict blind test matters to you, ask Alex at the start how the tasting will be arranged.

There is also a timing issue. The class is split evenly on paper, but the tasting can feel hurried near the end. Keep your questions focused if you want enough time to consider each pour. If you are the sort of person who likes to linger over every glass, the 90-minute schedule may feel tight.

Three or four tapas with the tasting

The food is listed as three to four gourmet tapas or canapes. That is a useful addition, not just decoration. Small bites help clear the palate and give you something to eat while sampling strong spirits.

Do not read this as a full meal. The menu is limited to a starter-style selection, and there is no promise of a larger dinner. If you are arriving hungry, eat beforehand or plan a meal after the class.

The tapas also make the session feel more like a hosted tasting than a string of bar pours. Food can change how you perceive alcohol, sweetness, spice, and texture, so it has a practical role as well as a social one.

What $125 buys you in San Miguel

At $125 per person, the price sits in the premium range for a 90-minute activity. It will not appeal to someone who simply wants to sample inexpensive tequila. The better question is what you value.

I see good value here if you want:

• Instruction from an experienced sommelier
• Several premium tequila styles in one sitting
• A private activity for your own group
• Food paired with the tasting
• A better understanding of how to judge spirits later

The price is harder to justify if you already know tequila well and mainly want a relaxed drink. It is also less attractive if you dislike formal instruction or prefer to choose your own bottles at a bar.

The private format helps. Only your group participates, so you can ask basic questions without feeling self-conscious. You can also ask more specific questions about agave spirits, production, or tasting technique if the group is interested.

The strongest value comes from the teaching. Alex is repeatedly praised for making complicated ideas clear and for taking the mystery out of sommeliers. If you leave able to assess tequila with more confidence, the lesson continues to pay off after the session ends.

Who will enjoy this best

This suits curious adults who want context with their drinks. It is a good choice for a couple, a small group of friends, or anyone marking a special visit to San Miguel with something more focused than a standard bar stop.

It should also work well for people who are new to tequila. The class breaks down the categories in a logical order, and you do not need prior tasting experience to participate. Alex’s humor and open approach help keep the instruction from becoming too academic.

People with an interest in wine, whiskey, cocktails, or food pairing may enjoy it too. The tasting method applies to alcoholic drinks beyond tequila, so you are likely to gain a broader set of habits.

I would think twice if you have a very low tolerance for alcohol. The pours are part of a guided tasting, but the experience still includes multiple tequilas in a short period. One description warns that you are unlikely to leave sober. Eat something first, pace yourself, and arrange your evening with that in mind.

The activity is also not aimed at children. The supplied information says most participants can take part, but it does not provide a minimum age. Since alcohol is the focus, confirm age requirements before booking if that affects your group.

Timing, access, and cancellation details

The experience lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes. It is offered in English, and confirmation is sent when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

The activity ends back at Recreo 10A, so you do not need to organize a separate return transfer. Since pickup is not listed, you should make your own way to the tasting room.

Free cancellation is available up to 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. The cutoff uses San Miguel de Allende local time.

The activity is often reserved about 16 days ahead. That is not a guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful planning clue. If your schedule in San Miguel is fixed, booking ahead makes sense, especially because the format is private and the operating schedule is limited.

Small details that can shape the evening

The biggest practical issue is pacing. Forty-five minutes of teaching followed by 45 minutes of tasting sounds balanced, but questions can eat into the final section. I would arrive ready to listen closely at the beginning, then save your most detailed bottle questions for the tasting.

The second issue is expectation. Do not book this as a casual tequila flight with a few fun facts. Alex’s style is engaging, but this is still a class. You will get more from it if you are willing to pay attention to how aroma, taste, texture, and finish work together.

The blind format also deserves a little flexibility. The title promises a blind comparative tasting, yet the arrangement may not always hide the bottles. That does not erase the educational value, but it changes the nature of the exercise. Ask whether the labels will be concealed before the tasting begins if that matters to you.

Finally, plan your post-class evening with care. The session includes multiple premium tequilas, and the combination of spirits and tapas is not a substitute for moderation. A nearby dinner, a slow walk, or a quiet night makes more sense than stacking another drinking activity immediately afterward.

Should you book the tequila masterclass?

I would book this if you want to understand tequila instead of simply consume it. Alex Galina’s teaching, the five-style comparison, the private format, and the premium selections give the experience a clear purpose. The strongest praise centers on his humor, directness, and ability to explain both the science and the pleasure of tasting.

I would skip it if you want a long, leisurely tasting or a guaranteed formal blind test. The final 45 minutes may feel rushed, and the blind setup may vary. At $125, the experience earns its price through education and bottle quality, not volume or length.

For a first or early San Miguel activity, it can set a useful tone for the rest of your visit. You leave with a better vocabulary, a sharper palate, and a clearer sense of what you like. Just arrive fed, ask about the blind format, and leave room in your evening for the tequila to catch up with you.

FAQ

Where does the tequila tasting take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

What time is the activity offered?

It is listed for Tuesdays between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Your confirmation should provide the specific start time.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

Which tequila styles are included?

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

Is food included?

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

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

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 accepted for a refund.