Published on Jul, 2019
Fantastic tequila tour with knowledgable and passionate staff
Firstly, I did a fair bit of research into whether to go with Herradura or Jose Cuevo. Both yours leave on Saturdays only and include train rides, tours of distillery, unlimited tequila and cocktails and a mariachi/folklore show. This is why I chose Herradura and I’m glad I did:
1. Superior tequila (Herradura is in a different league to José Cuevo in my opinion and if you’re going to be drinking tequila all day then you want to drink the good stuff
2. You take the train both ways, with JC you only take it one way and the bus the other
3. 3 course lunch with all drinks etc included with Herradura, with JC you are dropped off in Tequila itself and have to find and buy your own lunch. For between 2200-2800$ MXN with both tours you should get lunch included
We went with the first class option at 2600$ MXN but actually wanted to go with Club class for 200$ MXN more, I mean £8 is not a lot when you’ve spent over £100 already. However, Club was fully booked out for a corporate event this Saturday (bad luck as it was available every other Saturday of July)
The difference between Premium, First and Club seems to be fairly subtle but it is more or less as follows:
Premium - train ride offers carriages which are a bit less spacious with no tables, a slightly less high quality lunch (arrachera instead of vacio steak)
First Class - carriages with tables, nicer interior and a better lunch. Also, the tour has considerably less people on it you don’t feel herded along as much
Club - has a sofa on the carriage and I think they play games along the way, didn’t see where they were at lunch but possibly better food again though not sure
You can see full details of each carriage on Herradura’s website.
The day includes:
-Expert tour guide
-Tour operated in English and Spanish
-Free bar: straight tequila or cocktails with Herradura tequila (coffee, orange juice, water, snacks also included)
-10am-7:30pm
-Roundtrip transfer from Guadalajara to Amatitán by train
-Tour of Hacienda Herradura including premium tequila tasting
-Mariachi and folkloric show
-Three course meal
We had so much fun on this tour. The cocktails were creative and interesting, especially on the train ride back as they were citrous or fruit based rather than milk based on the way out.
HINT: You can ask for as much tequila as you want, don’t wait to be offered it! I kept ordering additional shots of whichever variety was in the cocktail I was drinking to make it stronger as the cocktails were a little weak at times. I also asked for numerous shots of Selección Suprema throughout the day and it was provided on demand (this bottle retails at around 3,500$ a bottle and over £220 in England)
Our guides, Roxana and Priscilla, were both accommodating and passionate throughout and look after you well. A special shoutout to Priscilla who gave the English speakers a VIP tour of the hacienda with only 6 of us on it and who was incredibly friendly and upbeat. It was also lovely to hear that her entire family work at the distillery in one way or another which adds to the sense of community and family we felt at Herradura. This is a brand that invests in their people.
The only slight disappoint to a top quality day was the lunch. The starter was flautas with potato and felt a bit cheap as you can buy this on the street for under 10$ MXN and the steak with the main course was overcooked and very dry, I asked for additional salsa to improve the overall flavour. Neither of these courses looked any better than what Premium had and there should be a bigger difference for the additional cost.
Overall, this is a day you won’t forget and is fun and interesting throughout, it’s worth the money and I’d do it again!
NOTE: Herradura are based in Amatitán which is not in Tequila itself but is another small town nearby so if you’re really obsessed with going to the namesake then you’ll have to go with Jose Cuevo
Free Cancellation
