Agave & Tequila Tasting
More than just tequila, agave is used to make a whole range of different spirits and products from sotol to raicilla. This essential Mexican plant has been used to make various spirits, drinks and remedies for centuries.
Learn more about Mexico’s diverse and detailed distilling history and taste your way through well-known and obscure examples of agave-based products.
Our public tequila tasting sessions take place one Saturday afternoon a month in one of our dedicated event spaces, with private sessions available 7 days a week.
Tasting Format
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Length:
Recommended class lasts for two hours.
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Reception Cocktail:
Enjoy a tequila-based cocktail before your tasting begins.
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Introduction:
Your instructor will outline some of the rich history of agave-based distillates and their rise in popularity.
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Taste a Range of Agave-Based Products:
Guests will be guided through seven different styles of agave-based spirits including tequilas, mezcals and more.
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Afters:
All our guided sessions take place in our Shoreditch venue, downstairs is our Cellar Bar and upstairs is our Roof Terrace, feel free to head to either for a drink after your session.
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Food:
Charcuterie boards courtesy of Cobble Lane Cured are available for private tastings upon request.
Locations
We have a range of dedicated event spaces in which to hold our tastings, Public Tastings are usually held for between around 10 and 20 people to ensure the most in-depth and interactive experience for all our guests but for private tastings we can accommodate up to 50 guests or even more with enough prior notice. Depending on class-size, you may find yourself in one of the following:
The Vaults
The former cells of the Victorian police station that once occupied our venue, now converted into intimate booths, perfect for smaller tasting sessions.
The Orangery
Our biggest event-space and studio, set amongst hanging plants and large windows, the Orangery is perfect for sunny days with its bright airy atmosphere. Its spacious, L-shaped layout means it’s the optimum room for our bigger tasting sessions.
The Cinema
Our Cinema features reclaimed tiered theatre-seating for up to 52 guests making it another great option for our larger tasting sessions.
Public Tastings
Our range of public tastings are perfect for smaller groups of five or less. We run a rotating selection of classes every Saturday at 3pm. At the moment, there’s rum, whisk(e)y, gin and tequila to choose from, and you’ll be joining a group of like-minded individuals.
Private Tastings
Our private tastings are perfect for groups of six or more keen to develop their appreciation for their chosen spirit. Every aspect of our private tastings are customizable, from your welcome drink all the way up to the bottles you’ll be working your way through on the day. Get in touch today to d
Gift Vouchers
Not sure when you want to join us? Buying for somebody else? Get yourself a gift voucher. Our vouchers are redeemable for any session of the chosen experience and are valid for a whole year from the date of purchase. You can choose a physical voucher to collect in store or receive in the post, and
Group Enquiry
If you want to make a private booking for a group, or have any specific needs that require our attention, our enquiry form is the fastest route to the answers you need. Once completed, one of our team will be in touch.
Whsik(e)y Tastings
Taste your way around the world of whisk(e)y on one of our weekly tasting sessions. Be guided through a selection of 7 expressions and learn more about the history and production of the liquid.
Gin Tastings
From mother’s ruin to indie darling, gin’s more popular now than ever, taste your way through the history and production process of this celebrated spirit on one of our monthly gin tastings.
Cocktail Classes
Our cocktail classes are 100% interactive, every guest makes and drinks a selection of five cocktails using their own equipment and area behind one of our custom-built cocktail bars. Private bookings available, any time, any size.
Group Enquiry
If you want to make a private booking for a group, or have any specific needs that require our attention, our enquiry form is the fastest route to the answers you need. Once completed, one of our team will be in touch.
Buy Vouchers
If you’d like to buy a voucher as a gift, or are unsure which specific day to join us, this is your best route. Gift-wrapped and digital vouchers are available for public masterclasses, tastings, virtual classes, and film screenings.
Book Direct
Book directly on to any public class, tasting, or event via our simple online booking form. This includes our in-house public cocktail classes, virtual classes, film screenings, in-house tastings, and more.
Redeem Voucher
If you’ve been given a voucher, or gone ahead and purchased one for yourself, you can redeem it here using our form. Even if your voucher was purchased elsewhere (Virgin Experience etc.) this is the place to redeem it.
Previous One-Off Tasting Events
Previous Tasting Event: TASTING SESSIONS – EL RAYO TEQUILA
Tom & Jack joined us for a tequila tasting to introduce their new premium tequila brand, El Rayo.
From sipping their first Añejo in Peckham to the agave fields of Jalisco and back again, the pair will discuss their journey in setting up the brand and their vision to add something new to the tequila category that celebrates contemporary Mexico.
They went through what makes their tequila different and introduced their perfect El Rayo serve – the tequila and tonic or T&T. Having only launched the product in May, this will be a unique opportunity to taste one of the first bottles of El Rayo in the UK.
Their tequila is unique in that it uses a combination of highland and lowland agave, which brings out the best from both growing regions. Predominantly highland agaves are used in production which harnesses floral and citrus flavours. This is then anchored by the more peppery and vegetal tones that come through with subtlety from the lowland agaves.
Expect delicate flavours on the nose, a buttery and viscous mouth feel that ends with a gentle yet empowering finish packed full of agave flavour. Join us for a taste of modern Mexico!
Previous Tasting Event: TASTING SESSIONS – OCHO TEQUILA
As we entered the merry month of May, We welcomed in tequila masters, Ocho, for another exclusive Tasting Session down in our subterranean vaults.
The good people behind Ocho believe that good things come to those who wait – that’s why theirs is one of the last remaining tequilas that is still made slowly, in the old fashioned way, resulting in a fine quality spirit that accentuates the agave flavour.
Our learned host guided us through the fascinating tale of the brand’s conception, as well as the unique processes that set their liquid apart. We also learned about the increasing role that terroir has in the world of tequila, and how Ocho have harnessed this trend spectacularly – to the extent that they have scooped numerous prizes at the Sustainable Spirit Award at TOTC.
Following a welcome cocktail in our Cellar Bar, guests will then take part in a guided tasting of their full award-winning range down in our vaults. Tickets are £10 per head and are available via the link below.
Previous Tasting Event: LMW 2019 – MEZCAL TASTING FESTIVAL INDUSTRY
Mezcal-based celebrations here in Shoreditch, we hosted a two-day tasting spectacular on Friday 19th & Saturday 20th July.
True to the spirit of London Mezcal Week, the festival was geared towards celebrating traditionally made agave spirits in all their forms and will constitute one of the largest mezcal tastings ever conducted on these shores.
To that end, there was a stellar cast of over 50 brands on display – featuring everything from traditional mezcals, to your sotols and Baconoras – and guests were treated to six hours of guided tastings and insights from some of the leading lights in the industry.
There were also seminars, during which industry experts and mezcaleros shared their insights into the trends, production and the drink’s startling increase in popularity over the past few years.
Whilst learning all about Mexico’s original agave spirit, guests also got to sample Mexican small plates and snacks and enjoy specially crafted mezcal cocktails – in our Cellar Bar – courtesy of our expert bar team.
Bar Bookings
Book yourself an alcove in our subterranean cocktail bar tucked away underneath our liquor store, the Cellar Bar. We serve out seasonal cocktail menus designed around different journeys or concepts accompanied by a soulful soundtrack.
Online Liquor Store
We are gradually taking our Liquor store online, it includes a growing selection of bottles as well as vouchers for our entire range of experiences and ticketed events. Browse our full selection of wares, ranging from rare bottles, to mixers, to bartending staple.
Virtual Classes
In 2020 we took our cocktail classes digital, offering virtual versions of our interactive mixology masterclasses. We send you everything you need including all the spirits, liqueurs and mixers, fresh fruit and a full professional cocktail kit for you to keep afterwards.
