Upcoming events.
VIP Tasting
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Location: Croatian Cultural Centre
Event Schedule:
• 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM — VIP Room Access
• 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM — Grand Tasting
• 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM — Agave Celebration
Created for guests looking for a more elevated agave experience, the VIP Room offers access to a private tasting environment featuring a curated selection of ultra premium tequila and agave spirits.
This exclusive experience combines rare pours, craft cocktails, live music, and a more intimate atmosphere designed for guests who want to explore the category at a deeper level while still enjoying full access to the Grand Tasting.
Enjoy bites from selected vendor partners throughout the evening, connect with fellow agave enthusiasts, and discover exceptional spirits in a more focused setting.
What’s Included:
• Exclusive access to the VIP Room featuring ultra premium tequila and agave brands
• Snack bar with bites from vendor partners throughout the evening
• Live music and craft cocktails inside the VIP experience
• Full access to the Grand Tasting experience
• Access to the Agave Celebration from 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM
• Opportunity to connect with producers and fellow agave enthusiasts in a more intimate setting
• Entry into a draw to win a two night stay for two adults at Casa Salles Hotel in Tequila, Mexico
The winner of the Casa Salles stay will be announced during the festival.
Designed for collectors, enthusiasts, hospitality professionals, and curious guests alike, the VIP Room offers a more refined way to experience the world of tequila and agave spirits during the festival.
Grand Tasting
Tequila & Agave Festival brings together agave spirits, food, music, and culture for one of the city’s largest celebrations dedicated to tequila and mezcal.
Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to explore more than 100 agave brands while enjoying cocktails, food experiences, DJ sets, and live mariachi performances. Whether discovering new producers or reconnecting with favourite labels, the festival is designed to encourage conversation, education, and a deeper appreciation for agave spirits.
New for 2026, Darryl Lamb will lead a terroir focused workshop examining how geography and environment shape tequila’s identity and flavour profile. Separate ticket required.
Guests can experience the festival through General Admission, Trade Tasting, or VIP Room access depending on how they wish to explore the evening.
Beyond the pours, the festival highlights the traditions, craftsmanship, and culture that continue to shape the world of agave spirits.
Tequila Terroir: Highlands vs Lowlands Masterclass with Darryl Lamb
Explore one of tequila’s most fascinating and often misunderstoodconcepts: terroir.
Hosted by Darryl Lamb of Legacy Liquor Store, this masterclass at theVancouver Tequila and Agave Festival dives into how geography, soilcomposition, elevation, and climate shape the character of agave andultimately the flavour in your glass.
Focusing on the dramatic contrast between Highland (Los Altos) andLowland (El Valle) agaves, the session explores how red clay soils andhigher elevation in the Highlands often produce brighter, fruit forward,floral tequilas, while the volcanic soils of the Lowlands tend to yieldearthier, herbaceous, and more savoury expressions.
Scheduled between the Trade Tasting and the Grand Tasting, this sessionallows guests to enjoy the workshop without missing any of the festivalexperiences.
Through discussion, guided tasting, and comparative analysis, guests willgain a deeper understanding of how terroir transforms tequila into a trueexpression of landscape.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
• Guided tequila terroir masterclass hosted by Darryl Lamb of LegacyLiquor Store
• Comparative tasting exploring Highland and Lowland tequila profiles
• Educational discussion on agave, soil, altitude, and regional flavourdifferences
• Scheduled between Trade Tasting and Grand Tasting so you will notmiss any festival tastings
Trade & General Public Tasting
Join us at the Grand Ballroom at the Italian Cultural Centre for a celebration of the spirit of Mexico and its enduring influence on global culture. This event, open to both the trade and general public, features live music, traditional food pairings, and a showcase of agave spirit culture. Dive into the world of tequila and agave, perfect for both seasoned aficionados and newcomers. Enjoy a day full of discovery, flavour, and cultural celebration!
For industry insiders, our exclusive Trade Tasting offers hospitality decision-makers the chance to explore top tequila and agave spirits. Sample a range of premium products, engage with brand ambassadors, and gain valuable insights from distillers and experts. Elevate your venue's spirit selection and network with peers in a sophisticated, educational setting.
Enhancing the festive mood, Mariachi Tabasko will perform vibrant, authentic Mexican music, including Rancheras, Boleros, and more. Reserve your spot now for an unforgettable experience of taste and tradition.
El Tequileño Cocktail Competition
El Tequileño and La Mezcaleria present a bartender cocktail competition celebrating creativity, agave spirits, and hospitality culture.
Bartenders will compete on May 25th from 3 PM to 6 PM at La Mezcaleria, showcasing original cocktails featuring El Tequileño Reposado. The winning bartender will be announced during the Tequila & Agave Festival on May 30th and will receive an all expenses paid experience in Mexico courtesy of El Tequileño.
Prize includes:
• 4 days / 3 nights in Mexico
• Agave field tour
• Local tours and excursions
• Accommodation and meals
• Airport transportation
• Airfare not included
Submission deadline is May 18th. Competitors must submit recipes to chris@lavishliquid.com.
Competition Guidelines:
• Minimum 1 oz (30ml) of El Tequileño Reposado required
• Maximum 7 ingredients excluding garnish
• Homemade ingredients are permitted with full specs included
• Garnishes must be edible
• Cocktails must be original creations
• Recipes must include exact measurements, method, and cocktail description or story
• Ingredient accessibility and reproducibility are required
• No unsafe or non food safe ingredients permitted