Vermouth tasting gets hands-on in Barcelona. At Las Vermudas University in Eixample, you sample six different vermouths and learn what makes each one tick, from history to the way botanics change the flavor. I especially like how the session feels social, not stuffy, with chips and olives keeping the mood friendly.

One more reason I’d do this again: you don’t just sip and leave. Led by host Elena, you’ll also visit the Las Vermudas University bartending-school setting and then create your own vermouth recipe using a base and a wide range of botanics, ending by filling a 250-cc bottle with your blend.

The main drawback to consider is that this is a fast, focused 1 hour 30 minutes format led in English. If you prefer a slower, purely observational tasting (or you need Spanish/Catalan instead of English), the pace and language could feel limiting.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Six vermouth varieties in one session so you can compare styles quickly
• Las Vermudas University bartending-school visit that makes the experience feel like a real craft class
• Botanics-driven recipe building instead of just reading about vermouth
• You fill a 250-cc bottle to take home, which turns tasting into a souvenir you’ll actually use
• Small group size (max 16) that makes it easier to talk, ask questions, and compare preferences
• Chips and olives included, so you have a simple, tasty base while you sample

Las Vermudas University: a vermouth classroom in Eixample

This is the kind of Barcelona night activity I like: practical, local, and a little nerdy in the best way. The whole experience takes place at Las Vermudas University, a dedicated academy for vermouth, aperitifs, and gastronomy. You’re not in some random bar corner hoping someone explains the difference between sweet and bitter. You’re in a place built for learning how the drink works.

You meet at Carrer de Viladomat, 107 (Eixample), and the start time is 6:00 pm. It’s scheduled for about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the activity ends back where you start. That matters because you can plan your evening without guessing how long you’ll be stuck wandering.

There’s also a comfort factor built in: the group size has a ceiling of 16 people. In a small group, you’re more likely to get time with the host, ask what you want, and actually remember what you tasted earlier. The experience is offered in English, which is great if that’s your working language and worth noting if you’d rather not learn in translation.

The tasting flight: six vermouths, plus the snacks to match

The core of the experience is a guided tasting of six different vermouth varieties. That’s a sweet spot number: enough variety to find patterns and preferences, without turning the night into a blur.

You’ll be tasting while learning. The experience is built around helping you understand what changes from one vermouth to another—the nuances you can usually miss if you only ever buy one bottle or order the same glass. You’ll also get help connecting aroma and taste to what you’re learning about vermouth, including its history, science, and secrets. It’s more structured than a casual bar crawl, and it helps you leave with a clearer sense of what you actually like.

One small detail I appreciate: the experience includes chips and olives. That’s not just an afterthought. It gives you something salty and crunchy so the tasting doesn’t feel like dry sips in a vacuum. It’s also a simple way to socialize—people end up comparing which ones they liked first, which ones felt sweeter, and what changed after a bite.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re a fan of vermouth or just a fan of the idea, this format answers it fast. You’ll taste multiple styles back-to-back, so your choices stop being guesses.

Why they bring you into a bartending-school setting

A big part of the appeal here is that it’s tied to Las Vermudas University as a real academy, not just a branded tasting event. When you get the chance to visit the school environment—presented as the bartending training setting—it changes the tone from casual to craft-focused.

I like that because it gives you permission to ask better questions. When the setting feels like a learning space, you’re more likely to get answers instead of quick sales talk. You’re there to understand vermouth as a drink with decisions behind it: flavor balance, botanics, and how the final glass comes together.

And this academy angle also supports the next step. The tasting isn’t an isolated moment. It’s basically the pregame for the part where you build your own recipe.

Learn the science and secrets, then use it right away

The experience promises an education that goes beyond saying vermouth tastes like herbs. You’ll learn the drink’s history, then the science behind what you’re tasting, plus the secrets that help explain why some bottles feel brighter while others feel deeper.

Here’s the practical value: you don’t have to memorize facts to benefit. The education is there to help you taste with intention. When someone guides you through how varieties differ, it becomes easier to notice what you personally gravitate toward—sweetness, bitterness, herbal character, and how the flavor feels over a sip.

This is also where the host’s role matters. The experience is led by Elena, and from the vibe described by participants, she brings a friendly, confident energy and a lot of real detail. That kind of teaching style makes the night more fun, and it helps you avoid leaving with a half-remembered explanation.

A smart way to use the learning: treat it like feedback while you taste. When a variety surprises you, ask why it might be different. When one tastes more “you,” pay attention to what stood out. That attention pays off later when you start making your own vermouth recipe.

Crafting your own vermouth recipe with botanics

Now for the part that turns this from a tasting into an actual souvenir experience. After the six-variety flight, you create your own vermouth recipe using base ingredients plus a wide range of botanics.

That matters because it moves you from passive tasting to active decision-making. Instead of hoping you’ll remember which one you liked most, you get to build the flavor profile you want. You’re effectively translating what you noticed during the tasting into something you can shape.

I also like that this step is framed as inspired and practical. Botanics give you a vocabulary for flavors, but you don’t need to be an expert to take part. The session is structured so you can play with choices, then understand what those choices do to the result.

If you enjoy food and drink activities—especially ones that involve mixing, tasting, and comparing—this is the moment that makes the whole evening feel worth the price. It’s the difference between a one-time tasting and a “you made this” memory you can actually share back home.

Bottling your blend: the 250-cc takeaway

At the end, you’ll fill a 250-cc bottle with your personal vermouth. This is the part that makes the experience feel complete. You’re not leaving with vague impressions. You’re leaving with a bottle tied to your recipe.

Size-wise, 250 cc is enough to matter without turning your daypack into a dangerous liquid puzzle. You’ll want to plan for a safe way to carry it, but the main point is simple: you’ll have something to open later and compare to the six varieties you tasted during the class.

This also gives you a fun advantage at home. Your bottle becomes a conversation starter. You can explain what you chose and what you were aiming for, based on the tasting comparisons you made earlier.

Price and value: why $41.42 is more than a sip

The price is $41.42 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes. On its own, that number can feel like “just a tasting,” especially in a city packed with drink experiences.

But the value here is the stack of included elements:

• You taste six vermouth varieties
• You get snacks (chips and olives) during the tasting
• You visit Las Vermudas University as part of the concept
• You learn in an organized way about vermouth’s history, science, and secrets
• You create your own recipe
• You leave with a 250-cc bottle of your personal vermouth

When you compare that to many drink experiences that only give you a few pours and a photo, the bottle and recipe step change the math. You’re paying for participation, not just consumption. That’s why I think the price feels reasonable for what you get—especially if you like hands-on activities.

Who should book this (and who might not love it)

This experience is a strong fit if you want:

• A fun, educational Barcelona evening with an aperitif theme
• A tasting where you can compare multiple vermouth styles quickly
• A hands-on activity, not just watching someone pour
• A take-home bottle you made yourself

It may not be the best fit if:

• You prefer a purely sit-and-talk wine-style tasting with minimal mixing
• English is not comfortable for you, since the experience is offered in English
• You want something longer and more relaxed; the format is focused and timed (about 1 hour 30 minutes)

Practical tips to make the most of your 6:00 pm session

Because the session is compact, a little preparation helps. Here’s what I’d do to get better results from the tasting and recipe step:

• Go hungry enough for the chips and olives to feel useful, not so empty that you get overwhelmed by all the flavors at once.
• During the tasting, take quick mental notes: which one felt sweeter, which one felt more bitter, and which one you’d order again.
• Ask Elena questions when something surprises you. The session is built around learning, and small questions usually unlock bigger understanding.
• When you’re building your botanics recipe, think back to your favorites. Don’t aim for what sounds exotic; aim for what you actually liked five minutes earlier.

Also, the meeting point is in Eixample and is said to be near public transportation, which is ideal if you’re juggling dinner plans across the city.

Should you book Vermouth Tasting and Crafting in Barcelona?

If you like vermouth, or you want to find out if you’re a vermouth person, this is an easy yes. The combination of six tastings + recipe crafting + a filled 250-cc bottle is exactly the kind of value that turns a night out into a lasting memory.

Book it if you want a guided, friendly learning environment at Las Vermudas University, and you enjoy hands-on food and drink activities. Pass if you’re mainly looking for a long lounge session with lots of downtime, or if you need the experience in a language other than English.

If you want a Barcelona experience that feels both local and personal, this one fits the bill.

FAQ

What is the duration of the vermouth tasting and crafting experience?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Las Vermudas University, Carrer de Viladomat, 107, Eixample, 08015 Barcelona, Spain.

What time does it start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $41.42 per person.

How many vermouth varieties will I taste?

You will sample six different vermouth varieties.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What do I do at the end of the experience?

You create your own vermouth recipe using base ingredients and botanics, then fill a 250-cc bottle with your personal vermouth.

Is there a snack included?

Yes, it includes chips and olives to enhance the tasting.

How big are the groups?

The experience has a maximum of 16 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the start time.