Mezcal & Mole Tasting in Oaxaca: Seven Pairings by Sommelier

Sip a crafted cocktail and discover Oaxaca’s family-made flavors with experts

A mezcal and mole tasting class in Oaxaca where you taste seven handcrafted vegetarian moles paired with seven artisanal mezcales, led by a professional sommelier. The experience runs 90 minutes in a mountain-view tasting room and includes a welcome cocktail and printed tasting notes. All mezcals are ancestral or artisanal, sourced from single-family producers across six agave varieties: Espadiín, Tobalá, Cuixe, Tepeztate, Jabalí, and Papalometl.

The experience

Seven moles and seven mezcales arrive in front of you over 90 minutes, each pair designed to show how the spirit and the sauce talk to each other. The sommelier who founded the Agave Spirits Institute leads the tasting in a room with a mountain view, walking you through the distinct characteristics of each agave (Espadiín, Tobalá, Cuixe, Tepeztate, Jabalí, and Papalometl), and how the moles, all vegetarian and handcrafted, complement them. You start with a welcome cocktail, one of the best mezcal cocktails in Oaxaca, while the group settles in.

The tasting notes are printed and in your hands, so you can follow the production details and the flavor framework as you taste. This is not a sightseeing tour dressed up as a class: the sommelier teaches you a way of thinking about mezcal diversity, and you ask questions and discuss what you taste. The mezcals come from single-family producers, and the moles are artisanal. The point is to understand why these specific pairings work, not to rush through a list. You meet people from all over the world doing the same thing, which is part of what makes the evening work.

All the equipment and glassware you need is there. Bring yourself and the willingness to taste carefully. The sommelier handles the rest. The tasting room sits on a mountain view, so the setting holds the experience together without distraction.

What’s included

• A welcome cocktail (one of the best mezcal cocktails in Oaxaca).
• seven handcrafted vegetarian moles.
• seven artisanal and ancestral mezcales from six agave varieties.
• printed tasting menus with production and tasting notes for each pairing.
• professional sommelier instruction throughout the 90-minute session.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday9 departure times: the first at 12:00, the last at 20:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Pets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Mezcal y Mole

Is this one for you?At 90 minutes, the tasting leaves room for dinner elsewhere in Oaxaca the same evening, or for another activity before or after. The small-group format and the sommelier's teaching mean you learn the logic behind the pairings rather than simply tasting through a list, which is what makes this version worth the time if you want to understand mezcal and mole, not just try them.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What agave varieties will I taste in the mezcales?

The tasting includes six agave varieties: Espadiín, Tobalá, Cuixe, Tepeztate, Jabalí, and Papalometl. Each mezcal is ancestral or artisanal and sourced from single-family producers so the sommelier can showcase the distinct characteristics of each agave.

Are the moles vegetarian?

Yes, all seven moles served in the tasting are vegetarian and handcrafted. They are paired with the mezcales to show how the flavors work together.

What is included in the 90-minute tasting?

The experience includes a welcome cocktail (one of the best mezcal cocktails in Oaxaca), seven moles, seven mezcales, and printed tasting menus with production notes and tasting notes for each pairing.

Who leads the tasting?

Professional sommeliers lead the tasting, including the founder of the Agave Spirits Institute. The guides teach at the school and specialize in mezcal and mole pairing.

Is this tasting suitable for groups or couples?

Yes, the experience is designed for groups, couples, and solo travelers who want to meet people from around the world. The tasting room accommodates all three settings.

What should I bring to the tasting?

Bring yourself and your appetite to taste. All glassware, tasting notes, and mezcal cocktails are provided. The sommelier and the tasting room have everything else you need.