Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, the newest luxury all-inclusive resort and concept from Velas Resorts, has unveiled a new experience designed for guests seeking to master Mexico's most celebrated spirit. The three-day Tequila Connoisseur Certification combines exclusive guided tastings and food & beverage pairings with cultural discovery, ensuring an even greater appreciation for the iconic spirit of Mexico.
The Tequila Connoisseur Certification unfolds over three sessions at the AAA Five Diamond resort, each focusing on different aspects of tequila craftsmanship. Day one explores the rich history and traditional production methods of tequila, featuring tastings of premium blanco varieties paired with expertly prepared ceviches. Menu highlights include Green Aguachile with Scallops, Mushroom and Vegetable Escabeche from Miraflores, and Tuna with Mango and Black Sauce. Guests will gain deeper understanding through hands-on elements like samples of blue agave plants, soil specimens from tequila-producing regions, and detailed educational materials that bring the spirit's origins to life.
The program advances on day two with an exploration of barrel-aging's transformative impact on tequila's taste and complexity. Participants discover how reposado (aged 2 months to a year) and añejo (aged for a minimum of 1 year) tequilas develop their distinctive nuances through carefully controlled aging processes, illustrated with mini-barrels and paired with sophisticated accompaniments like mole ice cream, pork belly skewers, artisanal chocolates made with Mexican cacao, and Mexican cheeses.
The certification culminates on day three with a tasting of extra añejos tequilas, aged in diverse barrels (French oak, Bourbon, Whisky, Sherry) followed by a five-course pairing dinner served under the stars. The menu celebrates regional culinary specialties from Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Jalisco - the tequila making regions of Mexico, with each course matched to ultra-luxury tequilas that showcase the country's diverse agave heritage. Menu highlights include a blue masa sope with an Ensenada oyster and Cascahuin Tahona Blanco, Wagyu al pastor taco and Tromba Reposado, and coffee ice cream and cornbread sponge and Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo.
Upon completion of the experience, participants receive an official Tequila Connoisseur Certification by Velas Resorts, along with a personalized 375ml luxury tequila bottle engraved with their name, a commemorative photo, and an educational booklet with details recapping the experience.
The Tequila Connoisseur Certification Experience is priced at $1,900 USD for two people. Guests have the option to book the first two parts of the Tequila Connoisseur experience individually, allowing them to explore specific aspects of tequila appreciation at their own pace. However, the exclusive final session with extra añejo tastings and the five-course pairing is available only as part of the complete certification program.
All-inclusive rates at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos are additional and start at $748 per adult, per night, in double occupancy. For more information about the resort or to make a reservation, call 1-888-407-4869 or visit loscabosboutique.grandvelas.com.
