Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting

REVIEW · TULUM

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting

  • 5.0132 reviews
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • From $89.61
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Mezcal plus chocolate sounds weird. That’s why this Tulum tasting works: you get a guided flight through agave flavors and Mexican cacao, with pairings that actually make sense.

What I love most is the small-group feel and the way the host makes the science feel simple. You’ll taste five different mezcals and learn how agave type and production change the flavor in your glass.

One consideration: you’re doing a true alcohol tasting, plus snacks like grasshoppers. If you don’t want to try anything adventurous—or you dislike spirits in general—this may not be your best fit.

Key Points You’ll Care About Before You Go

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - Key Points You’ll Care About Before You Go

  • Small group (max 10): you get real back-and-forth, not a lecture with no questions.
  • Five mezcals + five chocolates: it’s a pairing experience, not just samples.
  • Seasonal welcome cocktail: you start with a fresh mezcal drink that changes over time.
  • Agave-to-bottle context: you’ll hear about production and the denomination of origin idea.
  • Food pairings included: citrus, peanuts with cacao, and even grasshopper snacks show up on the table.

Why This Tulum Mezcal and Chocolate Pairing Feels Different

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - Why This Tulum Mezcal and Chocolate Pairing Feels Different
In Tulum, you can find a lot of mezcal tastings that feel like a checklist. This one feels like a lesson you can taste. The pairing part matters here: you taste mezcal and then get chocolate or snacks that either soften it, brighten it, or push it in a new direction.

The most praised part is the hosting. Shamira leads the session in excellent English, keeps things friendly, and adjusts her explanations to what your group is into. I also like that the learning isn’t just history-as-filler. You connect agave choices to aroma and flavor, so you can shop smarter later.

There’s also a “take notes” patio vibe. People describe a charming outdoor terrace setup in a residential area of town—secure, inviting, and intimate. It doesn’t feel like a big production line. It feels like you’re at someone’s carefully set up tasting space.

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The 2-Hour Flow: What Happens From the Welcome Drink to Dessert

Plan for about two hours. That’s long enough to taste steadily, ask questions, and still leave with your head clear enough to enjoy the rest of your night in Tulum.

You’ll start with a welcome mezcal cocktail. The cocktail is a special creation that changes with the seasons, so it’s not the same formula year-round. It’s also a good warm-up. You get a feel for how the mezcal tastes before you start comparing different bottles.

Then the tasting shifts into the structured flight. You’ll sample five distinct mezcals, including Mezcal Espadín and Mezcal Silvestre (both are called out in the tasting menu). Between pours, there are traditional snacks and fruit/citrus options meant to reset your palate and help you notice the differences.

Dessert is where the pairing gets fun. You’ll have artisanal chocolates and five different fine Mexican chocolates that match up with what you’re tasting. The chocolate side isn’t random either—people highlight that the chocolates have earned international awards.

What You Actually Learn About Mezcal (And Why It Changes How You Taste)

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - What You Actually Learn About Mezcal (And Why It Changes How You Taste)
This experience isn’t just about drinking. You learn the “why” behind the flavors.

First, you’ll get a grounded explanation of agave. Mezcal is made from agave, and the spirit’s flavor shifts depending on the agave type. That’s the same idea as wine grapes, but here it’s sharper because agave has strong, specific aroma notes.

Next, there’s production and standards. You’ll hear about how mezcal is produced artisanally across Mexico and that it follows strict production standards tied to denomination of origin. The point for you is simple: not all mezcals taste the same, and labels matter because they point to process, not marketing.

Finally, you learn how to taste with intention. Each pour is paired, so you start asking better questions like: does this mezcal smell more herbal or more smoky? Does it taste brighter with citrus, or rounder with cacao? That’s the real skill you take home—your palate starts doing the work instead of relying on someone else’s opinion.

The Five-Mezcal Flight: How Espadín and Silvestre Point You to Flavor Differences

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - The Five-Mezcal Flight: How Espadín and Silvestre Point You to Flavor Differences
You’ll taste five mezcals total. The menu calls out two by name: Mezcal Espadín and Mezcal Silvestre. Those two are great anchors because they represent the idea that mezcal isn’t one uniform flavor.

Here’s what you can watch for while you taste:

  • Aroma first: some mezcals lean more earthy, others more herbal or smoky.
  • Mouthfeel: a few pours may feel smoother; others can feel sharper or more “dry.”
  • Finish: you’ll notice whether the flavor hangs around in a warm cacao direction or clears out faster.

The host also helps you spot these differences. People mention the way Shamira gauges interests and then tailors the explanations. If your group wants more culture and legends, she’ll go there. If you want production details and practical buying tips, she’ll cover that too.

And yes, you’ll likely do more than the usual sip-and-swallow routine. The pairing setup makes you slow down on purpose.

Chocolate Pairings That Don’t Feel Like an Afterthought

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - Chocolate Pairings That Don’t Feel Like an Afterthought
This is where most mezcal tastings fall flat: chocolate shows up as dessert later, with zero connection to the drink. Here, the chocolate is part of the tasting plan.

The menu includes artisanal chocolates and five different fine Mexican chocolates. People specifically mention that the pairing quality is high—so high that it makes you pay attention to subtle shifts rather than just chasing sweetness.

One clever thing: you also get non-chocolate snacks alongside the pours. There’s a citrus plate, plus spicy peanuts with cacao and grasshopper snacks. Those foods do two jobs at once:

1) They refresh your taste buds.

2) They show you that Mexican flavor pairings aren’t limited to dessert.

So you end up learning how mezcal works with different flavor directions—citrus brightness, nutty/cacao depth, and the spicy-salty punch that can make smoky or herbal notes in mezcal seem clearer.

The Bold Snack Moments: Citrus, Peanuts, and Grasshoppers

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - The Bold Snack Moments: Citrus, Peanuts, and Grasshoppers
You don’t have to be fearless to enjoy this, but you should be open.

The tasting includes traditional snacks like spicy peanuts with cacao and Grasshopper snacks. Reviews make it clear that this is one of the surprises: people try it, are shocked by the flavor, and realize it pairs surprisingly well with mezcal.

If you’re the type who worries about texture or novelty foods, start with small bites and pay attention to the smell before you commit. The host helps guide the tasting so you don’t feel left alone with something strange.

Also, there’s the citrus plate. Citrus is a useful tool. It can cut through heavier notes and highlight the “lift” in certain mezcals. Even if you skip the grasshoppers, the citrus and chocolate pairings still do plenty of work.

Where You Meet in La Veleta (And How to Plan Your Evening)

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - Where You Meet in La Veleta (And How to Plan Your Evening)
Meet at ZONA NOVEC. 9 Sur entre CALLE 6 Sur y 4 Sur, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

A lot of people recommend arriving by cab, because the session happens in a residential part of town. That’s not a problem—just don’t plan to wander around late looking for it. You’ll want to be on time so you don’t rush the first cocktail.

Because this is an intimate patio setup, you should dress for comfort. It’s outdoors and it’s a food-and-drink session, so aim for something you can sit in comfortably for a couple of hours.

Price and Value: Is $89.61 Worth It?

Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting - Price and Value: Is $89.61 Worth It?
At $89.61 per person, this is not the cheapest mezcal experience in the area. But you’re paying for structure and quality, not just the right to drink.

Here’s what supports the price:

  • Five mezcals instead of a couple pours.
  • Five fine Mexican chocolates, paired through the tasting.
  • Traditional snacks and citrus, not just alcohol.
  • A small group size (max 10), which usually means you get more attention.
  • A host who brings both production context and pairing guidance.

It’s also one of those experiences where you’re likely to spend the value twice: once during the tasting, and again later when you choose a mezcal bottle more confidently. People specifically mention feeling more discerning about what’s authentic once they understand what’s behind the bottle.

If you love food pairings, or you want to go beyond tasting notes and learn how agave type affects flavor, this is a strong deal.

Who This Mezcal and Chocolate Tour Is Best For

This tour is a great fit if you:

  • Want a pairing experience (mezcal + chocolate + snacks), not just alcohol tasting
  • Are curious about agave varieties and how production affects flavor
  • Enjoy small-group conversations and asking questions

It can also work if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t drink alcohol. One person shared that the host provided organic coffee and fresh juices for the non-drinker, so the session didn’t feel one-sided.

Where it may not fit: if you strongly dislike alcohol, or if you don’t want any chance of eating unusual snacks like grasshoppers. You can always choose not to try everything, but the experience is built around tasting and pairing.

Should You Book Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate in Tulum?

I’d book it if you want one of your Tulum experiences to be genuinely edible and educational. This is the kind of tour that makes you leave with better taste instincts, not just a few photos.

Skip it if you want a high-energy party vibe, or if you prefer big attractions over small, quiet learning moments. This is slower and more focused. You’ll taste your way through five mezcals and five chocolates, with guidance that helps you notice the differences.

If you’re on the fence, decide based on your “yes” to two things: mezcal variety and chocolate pairings. If both are on your list, you’ll likely find it worth the money.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the mezcal and chocolate tasting?

The start point is ZONA NOVEC. 9 Sur entre CALLE 6 Sur y 4 Sur, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

It runs about 2 hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many mezcals and chocolates will I taste?

You’ll sample five different mezcals and five different fine Mexican chocolates.

What food and drink are included?

You’ll get a mezcal cocktail, tasting pours (including Mezcal Espadín and Mezcal Silvestre), a citrus plate, traditional snacks such as spicy peanuts with cacao and grasshopper snacks, plus artisanal Mexican chocolates.

What is the group size limit?

The experience has a maximum of 10 people.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.

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