Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience

Tequila gets more interesting after the first sip. This 90-minute tasting in central La Paz moves through more than 10 Mexican spirits, from Jalisco tequila to Oaxacan mezcal, in a relaxed rooftop setting near the waterfront. I especially like the small group of no more than 10 people and the chance to taste each spirit with a planned bite instead of sampling bottles at random. The views, music, and friendly teaching style add to the appeal, though the open-air terrace can feel cool or buggy, and one report describes a host who did not welcome much conversation.

The tasting takes place at the Mexican Spirits Club inside Bermejo Suites, right in the downtown commercial zone. I also like that you stay in one place, meet other people, and get a useful introduction to several Mexican states without giving up half a day. Bring a light jacket and mosquito repellent, and do not arrive expecting dinner: the pairings are small bites designed to support the drinks.

Key points at a glance

• More than 10 Mexican distillates: Taste tequila, several mezcals, Baja damiana, and handcrafted tequila-based dessert drinks.
• Four tequila styles from Jalisco: The opening flight introduces the country’s best-known spirit through four varieties.
• A rooftop setting near the boardwalk: You get city and ocean views from the terrace, with traditional Mexican music in the background.
• Small-group attention: The maximum group size is 10, giving the host room to explain production methods and flavor differences.
• Pairings are part of the lesson: Shrimp, meat, cheese, chocolate, orange or worm salt, chapulines, guayaba, and ice cream accompany the tasting.
• Plan for an early booking decision: Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start, but same-day changes are not accepted.

Starting at Bermejo Suites in downtown La Paz

You meet at Bermejo Suites, Belisario Domínguez 1514, second floor, in La Paz’s Zona Comercial. The meeting point is central and close to the boardwalk, which makes this a handy choice for an evening already spent in the downtown area. You will not need a separate ride between tasting stops because the entire event remains at the club’s terrace.

The address matters in practical terms. You should allow enough time to find the second-floor meeting point, especially if you are unfamiliar with central La Paz. The activity ends at the same location, so you can continue on foot afterward or arrange your next stop without collecting luggage or returning to a hotel.

The setting is part of the experience, not just a place to sit. You taste in a quiet rooftop space with views over the city and toward the ocean. Traditional Mexican music plays in the background, giving the session a more social feel than a formal classroom.

That open-air arrangement has one tradeoff. Temperatures can shift after sunset, and blankets are available, but a jacket is still wise. Mosquito repellent is also a practical addition. The terrace may not suit you if you want a tightly controlled indoor tasting room, but it should appeal if you like a drink with a view.

Four Jalisco tequilas before the mezcal

The first major section focuses on tequila from Jalisco, the state most closely linked with Mexico’s famous agave spirit. You taste four types and learn how tequila is made, where it comes from, and how production affects the final glass.

This is a useful way to begin because tequila is familiar to many people, but familiarity often stops at shots and margaritas. A guided flight gives you a chance to compare the spirit in a more thoughtful way. You can pay attention to differences in aroma, texture, sweetness, and finish while eating the selected pairing alongside each pour.

The presentation is designed to explain production rather than simply pass out samples. That makes the experience helpful for a first-time taster, while someone who already drinks tequila may still find value in comparing small-production bottles and less familiar flavor profiles.

The exact serving order and brand list are not specified, so you should not expect a fixed bottle menu advertised in advance. The important point is the range: four tequila varieties form the foundation of the session before the tasting turns to other regional distillates.

Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Sonora in one flight

After Jalisco, the tasting moves to artisanal mezcal from Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Sonora. This section broadens the lesson beyond the single spirit most associated with Mexico and shows how different regions contribute their own traditions and styles.

Mezcal can taste very different from one bottle to the next, and the regional comparison is one of the strongest reasons to book this experience. You are not simply told that mezcal is smoky. You sample several expressions and hear about their origins and production procedures, then test them with food.

The menu lists four types of mezcal with matching bites. Those pairings may help soften, sharpen, or draw out particular flavors. You might taste one with shrimp, another with meat, and others with cheese, chocolate, guayaba, or seasonings such as orange or worm salt.

Chapulines are also included among the listed foods. If you have never tried them, this is a small but memorable chance to encounter a traditional Mexican ingredient in a guided setting. The food is not intended as a full meal, but it gives you something more substantial than crackers between samples.

The host’s teaching style can shape this part of the evening. Eduardo Amezquita receives especially warm praise for his passion and detailed explanations of tequila, mezcal, and their cultural importance. One assessment found that the amount of detail sometimes became a little much, so you should expect an educational tasting rather than a quick social drink.

Baja damiana and a sweet finish

The regional tour ends closer to home, with damiana liquor from Baja. This gives the session a local note after its trip through Jalisco, Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Sonora. It also helps show that Mexican spirits are not limited to tequila and mezcal.

Dessert brings two handcrafted, tequila-based drinks: chocolate liquor and flavored tequila served with ice cream. This is a playful end to the tasting, and it changes the pace after the stronger agave spirits.

The dessert pairing is one of the more unusual details here. Ice cream gives the final course a clear after-dinner character, but it should not be mistaken for a large dessert course. As with the savory pairings, portions are small and meant to complement the tasting.

What the food pairings actually provide

The sample menu includes shrimp, meat, chocolate, cheese, orange or worm salt, chapulines, and guayaba. The food selection covers salty, sweet, savory, and spicy notes, giving you different ways to compare the drinks.

I like this format because food can make a spirit easier to understand. A bite may reduce a harsh edge, highlight a fruity note, or show why a particular pairing was chosen. You also get a more memorable experience than you would from tasting spirits on their own.

Still, plan your appetite sensibly. The food is a series of small bites, not a light dinner or a replacement for one. Have a proper meal before or after if you need substantial food, especially since the tasting includes many samples in a short period.

The menu is described as a sample, so individual items may not be identical every time. The main promise is the pairing format and the broad mix of tastes, not a guaranteed restaurant-style menu.

A 90-minute format that stays focused

The activity lasts about one and a half hours. That is long enough to cover several regions and production methods, but short enough to fit neatly into an afternoon or evening in La Paz.

The compact timing works best if you want a clear introduction rather than a full spirits course. You will move from tequila to mezcal, then to damiana and dessert drinks without spending too long on any one bottle. The pace may feel quick if you want extended discussion of every spirit.

A maximum of 10 people is another advantage. A small group gives the host more opportunity to answer questions, explain the pairings, and keep the tasting interactive. It also makes it easier to hear in the rooftop setting.

The social side can vary. Most of the experience is meant to be shared with other people, and the music and terrace encourage conversation. At least one account describes an instructor who seemed irritated when the group talked among itself, while other accounts describe an enthusiastic and engaging host. If you want complete control over the mood, a private tasting would suit you better, but this is presented as a small shared event.

How much value does the tasting offer?

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against other La Paz activities. I can assess what you receive for the time: more than 10 spirit samples, food pairings, regional context, a central location, rooftop views, and a host-led explanation of production and origins.

That package can offer good value if you are curious about Mexican spirits and would otherwise need to buy several bottles to make the same comparisons. It is also useful for couples or small groups who want a structured evening without committing to a long excursion outside town.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a full meal, a distillery visit, or a private lesson. You remain at the terrace, and the food is limited to tasting portions. You also do not get a stated visit to an agave field, distillery, or production site.

For me, the strongest value comes from the range. In 90 minutes, you sample drinks from several states and learn how they differ. That makes it a smart orientation for anyone planning to shop for bottles or visit other agave-focused venues during a Mexico trip.

Who will enjoy this La Paz experience?

You will likely enjoy it if you want:

• A central activity that does not require transportation between stops
• A friendly introduction to tequila and mezcal
• A small-group setting with room for questions
• Regional comparisons across several Mexican states
• Food pairings that are more adventurous than standard bar snacks
• Rooftop views and an easygoing atmosphere
• A short activity that fits around other La Paz plans

You may want something else if you need a full dinner, dislike open-air venues, or want a silent and highly formal tasting. The amount of explanation can also be a factor. Eduardo Amezquita is praised for his passion and detailed knowledge, but that level of instruction may feel heavy if you only want a casual drink.

This is also a better fit for adults interested in flavors and culture than for anyone looking for a party with large pours. The emphasis is on learning, comparing, and pairing. The mood can still be fun, but the experience has a clear instructional purpose.

Booking details and practical cautions

Confirmation is provided at booking, and you can use a mobile ticket. The activity is offered in English, which makes it accessible if you do not speak Spanish.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The group limit is 10 people. The activity ends back at Bermejo Suites, so there is no separate drop-off arrangement to organize.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and if the operator cancels because that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would avoid booking at the last minute if your schedule is tight. One failed booking was connected to a same-day reservation made too close to the start, and the operator stated that bookings normally need to close at least eight hours before the event. The booking rules say 24 hours for cancellation, so the safest approach is simple: reserve ahead, confirm your plans, and do not assume a last-minute place is guaranteed.

Should you book the Mexican Spirits Club tasting?

Book it if you want an approachable, regional tour of Mexican spirits in a compact format. The four tequilas, four mezcals, Baja damiana, and tequila-based dessert drinks create a broad tasting without sending you across the countryside. Add the small group, rooftop views, traditional music, and thoughtful food pairings, and you have a distinctive La Paz evening.

I would choose it especially early in your stay. The session can give you useful vocabulary and flavor references for later tequila shopping or restaurant orders. Bring a jacket, use mosquito repellent, eat beforehand, and reserve more than a day ahead.

Skip it if you are seeking a full meal, a distillery tour, or a private and quiet tasting. For the right person, though, this is a lively introduction to Mexico’s regional spirits, with enough food, scenery, and explanation to make the samples stick in your memory.

FAQ

Where does the tasting begin?

It begins at Bermejo Suites, Belisario Domínguez 1514, second floor, in the Zona Comercial area of La Paz, Baja California Sur.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

Which spirits are included?

The tasting includes four types of tequila from Jalisco, four types of mezcal from Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Sonora, Baja damiana liquor, and flavored tequila-based drinks served with ice cream.

Is food included?

Yes. The sample pairings include shrimp, meat, chocolate, cheese, orange or worm salt, chapulines, and guayaba. The portions are small bites rather than a full meal.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Does the tasting end at a different location?

No. The experience ends back at the Bermejo Suites meeting point.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.