Sayulita tequila tasting with David: the journey to creating your own path

Looking for the best Sayulita tequila tasting? Let us introduce you to David, a Sayulita local who has opened his own business during the pandemic. At Mexico Insider, we make sure to support locals, and we want to tell their stories!

David hosts Mexico Insiderโ€™s newest TV show, Legendary Eats, where he goes around town trying the unique eats. Weโ€™ve known him for a while and we are personally close to him.

tequila tour

He is very outgoing, and always has that big smile on his face waving around town like the mayor. Everybody loves him. This is David and weโ€™d like to inspire you with his journey to creating his own path.

If you have been to Sayulita, youโ€™ve had a drink served to you by this well-known barman at either Don Patos or Cava.

Voted the Best Bartender in โ€œThe Best of Banderas Bay and Riviera Nayarit Readerโ€™s Choiceโ€ in the Vallarta Tribune, David is well-known for his inspiring energy, friendly smile, and delicious cocktails.

๐Ÿ”— Book a tequila tasting in Sayulita

๐Ÿ‘‹ Sayulita tequila tasting: meet your expert

David was born and raised in Mexico City where, before moving to Sayulita, he worked as a graphic designer for Fortune 500 companies. He first came to Sayulita in 2000 to visit his sister, who is a long-time resident of Sayulita.

He fell in love with the chill vibes, kind people, and fun nightlife and in 2014 he decided to pack up his car, leave the big city and drive straight to our lovely seaside pueblo.

David is a wealth of knowledge of Sayulita since he has done literally every job from working as a receptionist at the local co-working space to a property manager of some of the biggest villas in town.

He found his true calling when he began working as a bartender at Don Patos and Cava. There, he received his mixology certification and became a living encyclopedia on agave distillates.

Davidโ€™s favorite part of his job at Cava is creating craft cocktails and sharing his wealth of knowledge about tequilaโ€™s delicious smokey cousin, mezcal. This was where Davidโ€™s company was born.

He wanted to bring the knowledge he was sharing at the bar to peopleโ€™s homes and villas to give them a private lesson on all the different agave distillates (Tequila, Mezcal, and Raicilla).

๐Ÿ“œ How David started his Sayulita tequila tasting business

To make a massive understatement, 2020 has been one heck of a year, but David and his team turned lemons into lemonadeโ€ฆor should we say water into mezcal? Weโ€™ll let you decide.

In March of 2020, COVID-19 shut down the world along with all of the bars and restaurants in Sayulita. Instead of looking at this as a devastating time with no work, David took this as an opportunity to build on his own brand and services business.

His business began by responsibly bringing the experience of the bars and restaurants to the homes and villas of people visiting during this wacky time.

David and his team come to peopleโ€™s homes, hotels, or villas (with masks and gloves of course) and create experiences including private bartenders, chefs, fire dancers, and even a tattoo artist. This is where his business slogan, โ€œWe bring the experience to youโ€, originated.

The most unique and popular experience of this company is the 90-minute private Sayulita tequila tasting sessions and agave distillates. All of the tequila, mezcal, and raicilla served by David are made in small batches from family-run producers using organic agave. No Jose Cuervo served here folks!

There are many Sayulita tequila tasting companies in the bay, but Davidโ€™s tasting stands apart as they serve small bites of food from the regions of the featured agave elixir.

For instance, the tasting of a reposado tequila comes with a tiny birria taco, a dish common to the region where tequila is produced. The most popular tasting of mezcal, comes with bites of black beans, grasshoppers, mole sauce, locally produced-chocolate, and citrus fruit.

๐Ÿน Best Sayulita tequila tastings

things to do in sayulita

This is a special trip for those who are curious to know the types of alcohol distilled from agave that are not as famous as mezcal and tequila.

Raicilla is from the state of Jalisco. The types of raicilla in this tour are: tuito, estancia, puchiteca, volcanoes, and mascot.

Mezcal Tasting (Tastes of Mexico)

This tasting will take you through a tour of Mexico by tasting mezcals from the different regions of this country.

This tasting will include: papalometi (Puebla), espadilla lemon tea (Puebla), salmiana (San Luis Potosi), Cenizo (Durango), Cupreata (Michoacan), and sotol (Chihuahua).

Mezcal Tasting Experience (Viva Mexico)

For the more adventurous, David offers a special experience in Sayulitaโ€™s favorite watering hole, Cava.

This experience is for 2-15 people and gives you the opportunity to taste any mezcal you want from their extensive supply, accompanied by bites from the regions of the mezcals you choose.

Private Mezcal and Raicilla Tasting

A private mezcal and raicilla tasting can be done with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 20. Four to five different types of mezcal will be served in a traditional jicara, a natural cup made from the bark of the guira fruit.

This earthware gives you the ancestral experience of tasting the aromas and flavors of mezcal. To better understand the intricate and vast world of mezcal, see below the different types of tastings tailored by David.

Oaxaca is the largest producer of mezcal. Due to Oaxacaโ€™s geographical location and climate, this region is rich in varieties of wild agaves. David will let you try 4-5 wild Oaxacan mezcals on this tour.

โœˆ๏ธ Sayulita Travel Guide

  • Sayulita is a renowned destination for surfing lessons. Its warm, turquoise waters boast consistent, beginner-friendly waves, making it a top surfing spot in Nayarit.
  • Tequila tasting is a unique, sensory journey makes and a must-do while visiting Sayulita. Learn to appreciate quality tequila beyond the popularized shots, and engage with local traditions and artisans!
  • ATV tours and expeditions allow for exploring secluded beaches and hidden jungles. This is a great activity for groups and families with kids and an exhilarating way to experience the lesser-known side of Sayulita.
  • Embark on an exciting journey from Sayulita to the UNESCO-protected Marietas Islands. Discover hidden beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful marine life, and witness majestic dolphins and humpback whales.
  • Experience the captivating beauty of Sayulitaโ€™s hinterland with our Monkey Mountain tours. Trek through lush jungles, witness vibrant flora and fauna, and ascend to stunning panoramic vistas at the peak.
  • From the lively, surf-friendly main beach to tranquil, secluded coves, discover the diverse beaches of Sayulita.
  • Encounter colorful local artisans, explore eclectic shops, and savor authentic Mexican cuisine at Sayulita Plaza.
  • Villa Amor has panoramic ocean views, elegant accommodations, and personalized services nestled amidst tropical jungles.
  • Residencia Tropical Don Bonito has spacious, beautifully-appointed accommodations, modern amenities, and close proximity to the townโ€™s attractions.
  • Hotel Boutique Siete Luna is an intimate, serene retreat with panoramic ocean views, luxurious accommodations, and top-tier services.
  • Mexico has a shortage of housing for locals. The community will appreciate it if you book with local-owned hotels and accommodations.
  • Go to Cava Mezcaleria for a mezcal cocktail and/or authentic mezcal sourced from local communities all over Mexico. The watermelon mezcal is our favorite!
  • Lucid Bar is where the local kids hang out, any time of the day. If you make it here, try to cross next door and have drinks at Aloha Bar, too!
  • You wonโ€™t miss Yambak as everyone flocks here by the end of the night. 2 for 1 on ll drinks (except the artisanal beers) every Tuesday! Cross the street to El Barrilito if you just want to people-watch.
  • Savor the authentic flavors of Thailand at Achara. This restaurant serves meticulously crafted Thai dishes, bursting with exotic flavors, in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
  • Sayulita Public House offers an array of local craft beers, expertly mixed cocktails, and delicious American bites.
  • Enjoy exceptional service, a charming atmosphere, and a Mexican food adventure that mirrors the vibrant spirit of Sayulita at Aaleyahโ€™s.
  • Experience authentic flavors, friendly service, and the real taste of Mexican tacos at Tacos Ivan. Itโ€™s open til late!
  • Pizza Venezia has handcrafted, wood-fired pizzas, made with fresh, local ingredients, served in a cozy, family-friendly setting. Vegan dough, available upon request! The best part? BYOB!
  • Discover the vibrant colors, tastes, and sounds of Sayulitaโ€™s Friday Market. Browse through a bounty of local produce, unique crafts, and delectable street food.
  • Experience the unique charm of Sayulitaโ€™s Hippie Market. Discover a treasure trove of handcrafted jewelry, vibrant textiles, artisanal goods, and bohemian fashion.
  • Sayulita is a walkable town with narrow cobblestone streets. You donโ€™t need any mode of transportation while there. You must take an airport taxi service from Puerto Vallarta (under $100 USD) to get there.
  • If you plan to drive around Nayarit area or to nearby towns, a rental car is highly recommended when visiting Sayulita.
  • You need travel insurance to Mexico!ย Ekta Travelingย is the recommended insurance (for travelers ages 2 months to 100 years old).

 

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9 Comments

  1. Happy to meet David. Will surely visit and have a drink served by him should we have a chance to visit Sayulita. I think the idea of tequila tasting is brilliant. I haven’t tried it and would love to.

  2. I never did a tequila tasting, but I enjoy tasting with knowledgeable guides. And David seems to be an interesting person as well as an expert. I will bookmark this post for someday in the future!

  3. I love when people move on to a new career they are passionate about. From reading this David is not only passionate but brave ad confident to start a business during a pandemic. Hope to meet him one day

  4. Not all tequila is the same! When I was younger, I had some bad experiences but then had an opportunity to do a tasting and realized there really is a difference in quality. Sounds like a fun experience with David the tequila expert in Sayulita.

  5. What an interesting story – from corporate to hobbyist to budding entrepreneur. This guy is an absolute inspiration. I loved the way he took advantage of the pandemic woes to create an opportunity for himself and spread the smiles. Truly a brand to recall and I would surely remember him if I were to suggest tequila tasting to anyone.

  6. I don’t drink but this sounds interesting. I like how he started his business and took it to prospect customers during the pandemic. He really understands his business, which is the best value for tourists who want to do the tequilla tasting tour with hm.

  7. I had a bad experience with Tequila as a young adult and swore off of it for life. And then I actually did a Tequila tasting a few years ago and changed my mind. It would be good to learn something new from David the tequila expert in Sayulita. I love that he does food pairings to show off the tequila.

  8. Tequila expert? That’s interesting! From being a graphic designer to learning mixology to becoming a tequila expert, David seems to be a super interesting guy! We bring the experience to you is an awesome motto. I’d love to pampered with the Mezcal Tasting Experience with a variety of tequilas and bites!

  9. Hi Trisha! I am loving your new blog about Mexico. I’ve been following you since 2017 and this is really a great resource. Congratulations on your Mexico blog! I am trying to book a tasting with David but I don’t think they can accommodate solo travelers? What is the best tasting company in Sayulita if you are alone? I realized many tours like this require a minimum number of people. I will gladly book wherever you recommend as long as they accept solo travelers. Thank you for all the tips about Sayulita!

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