Mezcal & Chocolate Tasting

Join us for an afternoon of mezcal and chocolate!

Cacao and Mezcal … two ingredients whose flavor is impacted by the soil, the climate, and the weather. They can vary dramatically, region to region. We’ll explore those similarities and understand why the two are such a match made in heaven.

Michelle Zimmerman, a certified cacao & chocolate taster and international chocolate judge (aka ‘chocolate sommelier”) will be presenting how chocolate is made and the stark differences between your typical candy chocolate and artisanal chocolates made from regional cacao. We’ll explore the many nuances and aromatics from chocolates from around the world.

We will be pairing six different chocolates with six different mezcals. The mezcals featured (see below) are being presented by Abel Arriaga of Compa Spirits, an importer of family-owned mezcals from all over Mexico. We will be pairing chocolates from around the world, with these amazing mezcals. From dark to milk to white, we will discover how the flavors play off each other and how adding award winning chocolate can elevate your drinking experience.

Included in the ticket price:

• Welcome Cocktail

• Expert Led Chocolate & Mezcal Tastings (6)

• Copita, made by local artist, Julia Smith (image below)

• Gourmet Grilled Cheese by Fates Bread Co (made exclusively for this event). Choice of:

a) The Sunset: oaxacan cheese + orange serrano marmalade + chile salt + mozzarella crust on chile flaked rustic wheat on chile flaked rustic white bread

b) The Red Right Hand: roasted red pepper and tomato chutney + pickled red onion + aged sharp cheddar on rustic wheat

Dairy Free cheese option available.

Ticket Price: $75

Featured Mezcals

(NOTE: Some of the mezcals we will be tasting are valued at over $150 / bottle.)

Erstwhile Tobala

Ancestral mezcal, female-owned.

Region: Santa Maria Sola, Oaxaca, Mezcal

Agave varietal: Maguey Tobala

Tasting Notes: Floral aromatics with notes of damp earth and rose petals. Gentle finish with notes of honey.

IZO Ensamble

Artesanal Mezcal

Region: Boca del Mezquital, Durango, Mexico

Agave Varietal Blend: Maguey Cenizo, Lamparillo

Tasting Notes: Herbal scents of peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus with hints of fresh grass and green pepper. Expressive, earthy, fruity finish

Comiteco 9 Guardianes

Destilado de Agave, Comiteca (unique agave made from agave sap, not cooked agave, and fermented sugar)

Region: Comitan, Chiapas, Mexico

Agave Varietal: Salmiana Agave Atrovirens Haw

Tasting Notes: A funky, vegetal nose, similar to an agricole rhum with a sweet and clean finish.

Derechito Reposado Tequila

Additive-free, 100% estate grown agave. Aged for 9 months in bourbon barrels

Region: Jalisco

Agave Varietal: Blue Weber

Tasting Notes: Vibrant coffee and cinnamon notes blended with classic oak. Soft, dry finish

Carreño Tobasiche

Artesanal Mezcal

Region: San Dionisio Ocotlan, Oaxaca

Agave Varietal: Maguey Tabasiche

Tasting Notes: Aromas of cedar and roots and notes of papay and sweet smoke on the palate.

Lopez Real Espadin

Artesanal Mezcal

Region: Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca

Agave Varietal: Maguey Espadin

Tasting Notes: Clean, fresh aroma with pure, light smoky notes. Full bodied, exotic fruits and sweet agave.

Host or Publisher The Cocktail Collaborative