The Mezcal Journey

We had a really fun day learning all about how Mezcal is made. Mauricio was very knowledgeable on all things Mezcal and was lovely in answering all our questions. I would point out that you won’t see the process in action, rather Mauricio talks you through it at the different stations which I would have loved to have seen in action. We also had lunch very late between 3.30-4 which I think could have been moved to earlier as people were absolutely ravenous especially as they were drinking..in saying that the lunch was huge and delicious. Additionally we arrived back an hour late around 6.20pm. However Overall I think it was well worth the trip and the money there are just a few tiny tweaks I would suggest. Thanks Mauricio!!

I did this tour at the start of day of the dead in Oaxaca. So the group was large. And not for one second did this tour drop below a 4.9/5 rating was the experience I had. The main tour guide, I forget his name, from Oaxaca with family roots in the industry (from memory) but with a Californian accent, is AMAZING! Probably one of the best tour guides on the planet. Charismatic, extremely knowledgeable, completely engaging with his tour. Always checking there are no left unheard questions. Coached us through the entire experience seamlessly. We had endless amounts of tastings of the most amazing top tier Mezcal. And learnt everything there is to know. It was extremely welcoming and probably one of the best tours Ive been on in my life. And Ive travelled ALOT! Ive already told a out 10 new friend visiting Oaxaca, they HAVE to go on this tour. It’s a must.

Ricardo and his crew are undoubtedly experts in Mezcal! We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the entire process of growing, harvesting, preparing, and distilling Mezcal. Everyone had a great time.

Best experience! Great tour, I highly recommend this activity. Our guides were Sergio and Alfredo. Very friendly and informative . I will definitely be returning and recommending this experience.

This tour was one of the best we’ve ever done. Our main tour guide, Alfredo, was so knowledgeable and informative about mezcal and its process from the maguey plant to the bottled product. Our driver, Sergio, was also so friendly, helpful and informative and he played the best music during our ride to the maguey field. We tasted so many different types of mezcal and finished the tour with a lunch of local Oaxacan cuisine. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone. Worth the money and the time!

Our guide Alfredo was excellent, very knowledgeable, definitely enjoys his job. The content and the experience was excellent and I highly recommend it. Just a note to the planners, the end of the day kind of dragged on with multiple repetitive toasts, too much standing around, and waiting for the bus to leave. The tour could be about an hour shorter. Also something to nosh on while we are tasting the many mezcals would be great, instead of a huge heavy meal at the end of the day. The tour company surprised us with a band during our lunch, which was so lovely and special, but they played so loud none of us could have any conversation. I was sad I could not hear what people were saying could not continue speaking with the people at my table.

Great food and variety of mezcal. Wear sturdy shoes for tour of agave fields... was very cool to walk around the plants.

Me and my husband had a wonderful time on the Mezcal tour. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. You really get to try so many Mezcals, and some with an interesting twist!

It was awesome. Our guide Alfredo was extremely knowledgeable, fun and engaging. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and our journey through Mezcal from plant to distillation. Bravo!

Wow what an amazing experience! So beautiful, informative and fun! Alfredo was such an amazing tour guide! So knowledgeable, kind, friendly, fun and a true joy to be around! We loved our group too! Visiting the agave fields was truly breathtaking, learning all about the plants and how the agave is grown and how it finally becomes mezcal is fascinating! And trying true, artisanal mezcal was absolutely mind blowing! Nothing like you get back home! If you come to Oaxaca and you have the time definitely take this tour! You won’t regret it! Definitely one of the best things we did while we were visiting this beautiful place! Thank you Alfredo and all the people at the palenque!

We absolutely loved our mezcal tour, I couldn’t recommend it enough. It was so fun and also informative. Our guide was excellent - engaging, charismatic and passionate. You must go!

Tour guide Alfredo was super awesome and very experienced and knowledgeable about the entire Mezcal process. We got a sizeable lunch and had an unlimited amount of Mezcal tasting. Would definitely recommend if you are in Oaxaca

This was one of the best tours we have ever been on. Alfredo was extremely knowledgeable and fun to be with. We learned and experienced so much. There were opportunities to participate and the mescal was delicious. My husband, Sister and I had a fabulous time and made lasting memories.

Our mezcal journey with Alfredo was one of the highlights of our time in Oaxaca. The meeting point in downtown Oaxaca was very convenient, and we traveled in a comfortable van with a fun group of just eight people. Our first stop was an agave field about 35 minutes outside the city. Alfredo explained the different varieties of maguey, the mezcals produced from them, and the distinctions between industrial, artisanal, and ancestral mezcal. We also had time to wander through the beautiful fields and take some great photos. From there, we traveled a short distance to the palenque, where we learned about the traditional production process, including fermentation and distillation. The visit was fascinating and very informative. Alfredo then guided us through an extensive tasting, helping us appreciate the differences among the various mezcals. We finished with an absolutely delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant. There were vegetarians in our group, and the restaurant did an excellent job accommodating them. The entire experience lasted about six hours and felt like an exceptionally good value. It was a fun, informative, and very full day. Alfredo was a terrific guide, and we would definitely recommend this tour—and happily do it again ourselves.

My wife and I have done tours all around the world and this is one of the very best. Alfredo not only gave us an incredible education on the process of making Mezcal - from Agave to glass - but also an education on Oaxaca itself. My wife and I will never forget this one-of-a-kind experience and cannot recommend it more.

Absolutely amazing! We had the best time learning about mezcal with Alfredo!

Excellent tour! For the day, I was the only one and Alfredo provided a wonderful 6 hour full tour. I didn't feel like anything was rushed, and he took his time to answer whatever questions I had. The tour consisted of a visit to the agave fields, the distillery, an unlimited tasting session, then a quality dinner. I would highly recommend this tour for solo or group travellers. There wasn't pressure to buy or tip along the way either.

This was so fun! We got so much personal attention and so much time at every part of the tour. It never felt rushed and Alfredo was a perfect guide. Warm, friendly, thoughtful, and informative. We were in a group with two others, so our group only had four people. We made friends fast with our other group mates and bonded over mezcal. The tasting portion truly is unlimited. We tried over a dozen different mezcals and had options to get seconds or thirds of whatever we liked best. The meal at the end was delicious and a perfect end to a long day.

Our guide, driver, and host were all fantastic people. Friendly, knowledgeable, and they made the entire day a memorable experience. We got to go into the fields and see the agave and learn about varieties, how it’s harvested, and how it grows. We got to see the stages of Mezcal distillation. And then we had a very liberal sample of the outstanding Mezcal at the location. I would not change a thing about the day.

It was great. The tour guide Alfredo was personable and knowledgeable. The group was fun. The food was delicious. The ride was scenic. It was a fun-filled day! Would we be able to get a copy of the video clip Alfredo took, as well as the group picture?

What’s sensational tour….Alfredo, our guide walked us through the story of Mezcal with all the passion and joy of someone steeped in its rich history. We came away with a deep appreciation of the ancient process of making ancestral and artisanal Mezcal and expertly were guided through generous and delightful tastings. The lunch at the end of the tour was just what was needed to round off a perfect experience. Thank you!!!

We had an incredible experience on our mezcal journey! Our guide, we believe his name was Ivan, was punctual, knowledgeable, easygoing, and incredibly personable from start to finish. We learned so much about mezcal, from the different agave varieties to the ancestral, artesanal and industrial production processes, and every part of the day was thoughtfully explained with grace. What truly made this experience special was Ivan’s passion as a mezcal master. His dedication to preserving the craft and sharing generations of knowledge was nothing short of admirable and inspiring. It was clear that he genuinely loves what he does, and that enthusiasm made the entire experience even more meaningful. He explained how he wants to carry his family’s craft for future generations and why it’s important to him. This is exactly what we came for - to learn from the community and hear their stories! A special thank you to Luis at the distillery, who was not only hilarious but also gave us a wonderful glimpse into the hard work, pride, and family tradition behind mezcal production. Seeing his respect for the craft and the generations before him added so much depth to the visit. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch and the natural, easy flow of conversation throughout the day. It felt less like a tour and more like spending the day with people who truly love sharing their culture. We left with a much deeper appreciation for mezcal and the people behind it. We would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone visiting Oaxaca!

Wow! This was such a beautiful experience. From the moment we met our guide, Alfredo, until we said goodbye--after tasting countless mezcals, meeting some amazing humans from around the world, and enjoying a delicious, traditional meal--we felt so cared for. Alfredo and The Mezcal Journey have created a very intentional adventure for mezcal enthusiasts who want something more than a check-the-box tourist experience. Our guide's family has been making mezcal for more than 100 years and that experience showed up throughout our learning journey. If you're visiting Oaxaca and want to better understand the history and process of this ancient spirit, look no further.

Ivan was the best guide ever! Very knowledgeable and likeable. Great immersion tour. Small, fun group. Learned a lot about Mezcal.

Ivan was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide. It was an educational and fun event. The lunch was lovely as well.

Let’s just say the tour exceeded our expectations Ivan was a great tour guide Kind, knowledgeable , and really facilitated interaction We liked it was intimate, just the 4 of us We were able to see 2 very different complexes and their distilling process, which was fascinating A very artisanal approach versus commercial production The meal we were served was delicious and bountiful and we must have tasted 20 or more mezcals Absolutely no pressure to buy too! Thanks Ivan fir the memories!

Leyda was an excellent guide who was very knowledgeable and passionate about Mezcal and what it means to Oaxaca. My wife and I left with a deeper appreciation for the amount of effort it takes to produce them and how skilled mezcaleros are. The food, mezcales, tour, and general views were incredible. Would strongly recommend this experience - or following Leyda when she opens her own tour and experiences!

Our experience with Mezcal Journey was truly unforgettable and one of the highlights of our time in Oaxaca. This is so much more than a tasting—it’s a deep dive into the culture, traditions, and craftsmanship behind mezcal. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing not only the production process but also the history and meaning behind every step, which gave us a whole new appreciation for what we were tasting. A big highlight was the emphasis on respect for Mother Earth. From the sustainable harvesting of agave to the traditional production methods, there was a clear focus on honoring the land and preserving these practices for future generations. It added a meaningful layer to the experience that really stayed with us. If you’re looking for a genuine, immersive way to understand mezcal and Oaxacan culture, Mezcal Journey is absolutely worth it.

Excellent way to spend a full day in Oaxacan countryside. Really fun, educational, and delicious. Guide and driver were wonderful. I highly recommend this tour.

Great look into the production, culture and flavours of Mezcal. Leyda was an exceptional tour guide with lots of knowledge and delivered everything in an easy to understand manner. Selection of palettes each with unique propositions and experiences.

Such an experience tasting, seeing and learning about Mezcal! Throughly enjoyed the tour, the tastings and the lunch at the end was great too’

The mezcal journey was a fantastic experience. We learned a lot, ate a delicious meal, and tried MANY mezcals!

The Mezcal Journey Tour in Oaxaca ended up being one of our favorite days. Leyda was such an easy, welcoming guide, and she made the whole experience feel relaxed and personal. My husband was thrilled the second he got to swing the machete. We tried so many different mezcals that it felt like everyone found something they loved, and each stop had its own vibe and story. Visiting the small palenques and seeing how mezcal is actually made gave the tastings so much more meaning. Lunch was great too. We each got our own full meal, everything was delicious, and they handled our dietary needs without any fuss. The whole day moved at an easy pace, never rushed or touristy, just good people sharing their craft. It left us with new favorites, a better understanding of mezcal, and a really happy memory from our trip. Our driver was great. It was nice to be able to sit back and relax and take in the views outside of the city. Pick ups were easy as they gave you 2 options, so we were able to choose the location closest to our hotel which was only a 5 min walk.

Leyda was an amazing guide and so knowledgeable about mezcal! Learned so much about different types of mezcal and the production.

Leyda was knowledgeable and a wonderful leader. We learned as much as we could absorb about mezcal. But the "journey" was limited to a few places, not including Matatlan - the advertised destination. Instead we spent all day in Mitla, a town I have visited many times and would not have chosen to visit again.

While we tasted a lot of Mezcal, it was also super informative. A great learning experience as well. Our guide, Leyda, really knows a lot about the process of making mezcal as well as the history behind it.

Highly recommended. During the day we tried over 20 different mezcales from three different makers, one doing artisanal (handmade) production, one doing craft scale production, and another (sold through a restaurant) that only produces 2000 bottles per year. We also had a fantastic sampler platter of Oaxacan foods.

The Mezcal Tour is a great way to learn about a product of pride from Oaxaca and an easy way to make quick travelling friends within the group. I was part of a fun group, helped by the fact we were sipping mezcal together! I was not particularly a fan of mezcal before the tour, however the tour gave me a greater appreciation of the spirit.

A fantastic day, start to finish! Visiting Ricardo's beautiful farm, drinking mezcal in the field, and cutting agave (so cool!) set the right tone for learning about mezcal and its place in Oaxacan culture. Tastings at two palenques with a fabulous lunch in between made for a most excellent tour. We even experienced an earthquake - at no extra charge :) Ricardo is friendly, patient and very knowledgeable. He's a superb guide. 10/10

Our guide Leyda has extensive knowledge regarding the process to make the various types of mezcal. The distilleries and farm were visited were all different making the day very informative and interesting. The meal at the end of the tour was exceptional offering a wide variety of local dishes.

Guide was friendly and provided great information and experiences. Lunch in rural village was wonderful. It was a fun experience with friendly folks.

Wonderful tour of the famous Oaxaca palenques with 3 different stops and late lunch. Our tour guide Leyda was very knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed learning about the entire mezcal making process and multiple taskings of this fine spirit. Highly recommend this tour for a fun day in Oaxaca!

If you find yourself in Oaxaca, you absolutely must do this tour! I had the pleasure of meeting Ricardo, our tour guide and the owner of Inquebrantable Mezcal. We had a total of eight people in our group, all super nice and from all over the world. We started off with a tour of Ricardo’s family Agave farm, where we learned about the various species of Agave and had a traditional tasting of his family’s Mezcal. We then toured a traditional production plant, where we observed the milling, fermentation and distillation process in real time. Very cool and extremely interesting for anyone (and particularly for a mechanical engineer like me!). We then went into a fabulous tasting room and sampled an absolutely incredible amount of Mezcals! Finally we had a wonderful late lunch at Ricardo’s family restaurant, where we had an absolutely amazing lunch of delicious Oaxacan cuisine (you won’t need dinner after this huge lunch!). This was by far one of the coolest tours I’ve ever done, and I highly recommend it to anyone curious about Mezcal. Ricardo is an amazing guide, and truly a wonderful ambassador for Oaxaca and the friendly people that call it home!

A superb 5-hour tour in all regards; transportation, education and great lunch in Mitla. We never knew there are so many varieties of plants producing the "pino" used to make so many varieties of mezcal. Tour leader had a terrific command not only of the subject but conversational English and a voice that easily carried for our group of eight international travelers. We highly recommend this tour.

A great day trip from Oaxaca where you learn the entire mezcal process ranging from the different agave plants in the field and artisanal distillation production at a mezcaleria with a generous tasting and ending with a lunch in Mitla. Leyda is a wonderful guide/host - very knowledgeable and passionate about this craft who made this activity a very memorable one for us.

This experience was all I hoped for to learn the basics about the types of mescal and how it is produced. Our guide was super knowledgeable and fun to spend the day with. And lunch was amazing.

A really fun and educational day out. Really interesting to see and understand ever step of the mezcal production process. And getting to taste them all is also great!

A good tour. You get some info on the types of agave and tour a farm. After that you go to a distillery (rustic), I wish that there was more going on there, we were informed on what usually or may go on there. You taste some mezcals and then go to lunch. Lunch was really good and the highlight of the tour.

Great experience, really interesting to learn much more about Agave and Mezcals. We visited agave fields and and an artesenal Mezcaleria followed by a really nice lunch. There were lots of Mezcals to taste and Laida (sorry if I misspelled) was a fantastic guide. Highly recommend to anyone visiting.