Welcome to Mezcal Academy

Whether you’re a seasoned mezcal enthusiast or keen to begin to explore the complex world of this ancient spirit, you've come to the right place. At Mezcal Academy we are passionate about bringing you closer to the rich tradition, flavours, and culture of mezcal. Through tasting and education, whether you are looking to study formally to become a mezcal sommelier, or are simply interested in sampling a range of Mexico's delicious agave spirits amongst friends, we can help get you started.

who am I?

I'm Heidi, founder of Mezcal Academy, and self confessed aficionado of agave spirits. After falling in love with mezcal I set out on my own mission to learn as much as I could about it. After a couple of trips to Mexico, countless books, hundreds of tastings, meeting producers, and recently achieving my certificate as a Master of Agave Spirits, I'm just beginning to know some of what there is to know about the world of mezcal and its centuries of stories and tradition. I have a passion for sharing my knowledge- and my mezcal collection - with others!

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

It is our mission to educate people about Mexico's centuries old spirits with each sip they take. We recognise that whilst some people are interested in pursuing certifications, others prefer a less formal learning experience and so we offer a range of learning and tasting experiences. The main aim is to share our enjoyment of agave with others!

Tastings, workshops, pop ups and courses are available online or in person all over Europe. Get in touch to talk to us to start your mezcal education.

TASTINGS

Completely new to mezcal? Then why not begin your mezcal journey with a Mezcal 101 workshop to answer all the burning questions while we taste such asWhat is mezcal?
How is it made?
What’s the difference between tequila and mezcal?
Why is there such variation in how different mezcals taste?And if you are interested in Mezcal food pairings, discover how mezcal can elevate your meals, from smoky flavours that complement grilled meats to herbal notes that make fresh seafood sing. Explore mezcal with food pairings, or even try your hand at mezcal-based cocktails. Talk to us to plan an event for you.

Mezcal offers a complex palette of flavours: earthy, floral, fruity, herbal, woody, even funky! For the uninitiated, it’s an exciting world of discovery—a chance to explore a spirit that is as rich in history as it is in flavour.We offer small group bespoke tastings at your venue or home.

pop up mezcal club

Already have a venue and keen to introduce agave spirits to your guests?
Why not feature a variety of mezcals and other agave spirits on a pop up basis?We can collaborate with you to offer hand selected mezcal flights to showcase the variety of agave spirits, and rotate brands, agave species and varieties and even spirit types to keep it fresh for your loyal clientele.Prefer to offer a formal ticketed tasting? Let us know what you have in mind and we can provide the spirits and the knowledge to help you get things started.

courses

We partner with the Agave Spirits Institute based in Oaxaca, Mexico, to offer their courses here in Europe.The course program begins with an introductory course exploring 6 different Mexican agave spirits, each with its own unique history and taste.

Next there are 2 courses focusing entirely on mezcal, the first delving further into technical sensory evaluation, tasting mezcal from across the 10 states of the denomination of origin, and the second level, the mezcal sommelier certification where students learn more about agave species and varieties and production as well as sommelier service. The third level course explores agave spirits from all over the world and includes tastings of 28 spirits.

You can book any of the courses directly using the links above
The ASI courses are currently held virtually but we have plans to bring in person courses to Europe very soon.For more information about the full program, information about forthcoming dates in your market, or to schedule an in person group booking, please get in touch with me. I'll be happy to help.

contact us

Brand promotions

Have a mezcal brand you want to promote?Talk to us to find out how we can showcase your brand as part of our tasting workshops or events.We are always keen to try more mezcal and think of new ways to share it far and wide!

Unlike other spirits, mezcal is often made in small batches by family artisans who have inherited their craft from previous generations. Complex flavour profiles reflect the nuances of hyper local production methods, along with the individual family styles, as well as the land where it is produced.Mezcal production has deep roots in sustainability, with many maestro mezcaleros using traditional methods unchanged over centuries. Organic cultivation and eco-friendly practices are not only upheld, but are an integral part of mezcal production.Join us to learn more