Celebrity tequilas
Tequila can indeed spark passionate opinions. Some proudly claim it as their favorite spirit for shots or sipping neat, while others avoid it altogether, often due to past overindulgence. Mezcal, its smokier cousin, also has a loyal following. Cocktail lovers tend to sit on one side or the other—either embracing tequila or steering clear. But there is a new trend – celebrity tequilas start to flourish on the market, putting famous faces to work for their own brand. In reality, celebrities are flocking to the tequila business.
The spirit has experienced a significant boom in the U.S., with the Distilled Spirits Council reporting a staggering 180% growth in tequila sales since 2002. In 2019 alone, 20.1 million 9-liter cases were sold. The industry’s allure has become so intense that even non-celebrities are joining in, like the founders of “Not A Celebrity Tequila,” who aim to honor traditional tequila-making practices and avoid the celebrity hype.
Authentic tequila, regulated by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), can only be produced in five Mexican states and must contain at least 51% Blue agave. This means celebrities can’t simply slap their name on just any bottle—there are strict rules to follow, similar to how Champagne can only come from a specific region in France.
Despite the already crowded marketplace, new celebrity tequilas continue to appear on shelves and social media. So, are these premium celebrity brands worth the splurge? Let’s find out a lineup of star-backed tequilas, with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of tajín for good measure.
Flecha Azul Blanco
Best Celebrity Tequila
The first among celebrity tequilas is Flecha Azul (Blue Arrow). Smooth and well-balanced, Flecha Azul Blanco stood out as the clear favorite. This additive-free tequila boasts a rich, silky texture that shines whether sipped neat or mixed into cocktails. A big thanks to Mark Wahlberg for bringing this exceptional spirit to the spotlight.
You might recognize Flecha Azul if you’re a fan of Mark Wahlberg, the actor, producer, investor, and founder of the 4 AM Workout Club. Wahlberg’s resume is filled with impressive ventures, from his burger chain Wahlburgers to investments in fitness brands like F45 and Aquahydrate. While tequila may seem like a surprising venture for the health-conscious star, Wahlberg proudly calls himself a “tequila guy.”
When Wahlberg joined the Flecha Azul team in 2022, he was initially hesitant. He told CNN’s Chloe Melas, “You have all these other people out there claiming to have gone to Mexico and created tequila and cultivated agave.” However, his perspective shifted after trying Flecha Azul with co-founders Abraham Ancer, a Mexican PGA golfer, and entrepreneur Aron Marquez. Wahlberg even visited the distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. In the same 2022 CNN interview, the Flecha Azul founders expressed their goal of creating a tequila that honored their Mexican heritage and family traditions in tequila-making.
According to the brand’s website, Flecha Azul Tequila Blanco is crafted from fully mature agave grown in the lowlands of Jalisco at the Mexican-owned and operated Tequila Orendain De Jalisco distillery, which has been around since 1926. The blanco is free from additives like glycerin, sugar-based syrup, oak extract, and caramel coating, making it perfect for a classic margarita.
After uncorking the bottle, our taste testers were unanimous: this rich, silky tequila deserves its price tag. Many were drawn to its sweet, slightly floral aroma and light texture. With or without orange and lime wedges, a few sips revealed subtle hints of citrus that were delicate yet not overpowering.
Teremana Blanco
Best Celebrity Runner-Up
The second among celebrity tequilas is Teremana tequila. It seems like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can do no wrong. The “People’s Champ” has conquered everything from professional wrestling to Hollywood—and even skincare with his line, Papatui. In 2020, Johnson ventured into the tequila world, inspired by a 2007 press trip to Mexico for his film The Game Plan, as reported by CNN’s Brad Japhe.
Johnson’s tequila, Teremana, is handcrafted in the small town of Jesús Maria, Mexico, using 100% fully mature Blue Weber agave grown in the highlands. According to the brand’s site, the agave is roasted in brick ovens and distilled in copper pots, ensuring a smooth finish. What truly sets Teremana apart is its intangible ingredient: “mana,” the Polynesian concept of spiritual energy, which Johnson infuses into the brand’s ethos.
Teremana is described on its website as having tasting notes of “bright citrus with a smooth, fresh finish.”
Pantalones Tequila Blanco
Best Celebrity tequila for shots
The third among celebrity tequilas comes Pantalones Tequila Blanco. Some people love savoring the complexity of a cocktail, exploring endless combinations of ingredients, garnishes, and syrups. Others seek the rush of tequila shots, complete with the theatrics of lime and spices. While taking shots isn’t for everyone, for the brave few, this bold tequila is an unforgettable experience.
Pantalones Organic Tequila, co-founded by Matthew and Camila McConaughey, is a tribute to their relationship. The Oscar-winning actor was inspired to create the tequila after meeting his future wife over margaritas. “We met over margaritas, and from that first sip, we knew we wanted to create something special together,” he shares on the brand’s website. The name “Pantalones” translates to “pants” in Spanish but also represents “guts.” The brand prides itself on using organic Blue Weber agave, sourced from natural farmland.
According to the brand’s site, the blanco offers aromas of “raw agave, caramel, herbal, fruity, light guava, lime, and vanilla.” When we sampled it, our notes described it as “powerful, strong, vanilla, and thick.” While our tasters didn’t pick up on guava or fruity scents, we all agreed on the potent kick and heavier texture compared to other tequilas. The sharp bite seemed ideal for mixing with fruit juices in a spicy margarita. Kunesh noted its strong aftertaste, and other testers agreed—it packs a punch. Since blanco tequilas are bottled immediately after distillation, they offer a pure, unfiltered experience. One thing’s for sure: Pantalones is not for the faint of heart.
Concoro Blanco Tequila
Best value for money Celebrity tequila
The fourth among celebrity tequilas is associated not with the actor, but a sport star. If you’re a basketball fan, you may have come across Cincoro Tequila. Founded in 2016 by Michael Jordan and a group of rival NBA team owners—including those of the Celtics, Lakers, Hornets (where Jordan is a minority owner), and Bucks—their shared love of tequila brought them together, despite their competitive team loyalties. The name Cincoro reflects this bond, combining “cinco” (Spanish for five) and “oro” (gold).
Like all the tequilas, Cincoro is crafted from Blue Weber agave grown in Jalisco, where it’s sun-ripened and slowly steam-cooked to caramelize the agave. What sets Cincoro apart is that it’s matured in Tennessee whiskey barrels, which infuses the tequila with a rich oak character for a “luxurious, long finish.” The result? According to the brand, it delivers “unparalleled richness and depth that dances on your palate.”
The Cincoro Blanco is noted for its “light vanilla and citrus undertones,” according to the brand’s website. But beyond the taste, the most striking feature is the glamorous bottle, which could easily double as a trophy.
Casamigos Blanco
The fifth among celebrity tequilas is another one branded by an actor. If you’ve ever browsed the tequila aisle, you’ve likely spotted Casamigos. This tequila brand was founded in 2013 by actor and philanthropist George Clooney, along with his friends Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. Their mission? To create “the best-tasting, smoothest tequila and mezcal that didn’t need to be masked with salt or lime,” according to the brand’s website. Casamigos quickly gained a massive following and became so popular that it’s even name-dropped in rap songs. In 2017, Clooney sold the brand to Diageo for a staggering $1 billion, as reported by CNN’s Julia Horowitz.
Like many premium tequilas, Casamigos is crafted with care. The brand emphasizes its extra-slow fermentation process, describing it as “painstakingly slow,” and slow-cooks the piñas in traditional brick ovens. The result is a fruit-forward tequila with “notes of vanilla and grapefruit,” along with aromas of citrus and sweet agave.
818 Blanco
The sixth among celebrity tequilas is related to an influencer and model. In February 2021, model Kendall Jenner took to Instagram to announce the launch of 818 Tequila, claiming she had spent four years perfecting the award-winning spirit through distillery visits and blind-tasting competitions. The announcement quickly sparked backlash, which is often the case with posts from the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Many criticized Jenner for allegedly appropriating and exploiting traditional tequila-making practices as a wealthy, famous white celebrity. Others pointed out the double standard, questioning why male celebrities who started their own tequila brands didn’t face the same level of scrutiny.
Despite the controversy, 818 Tequila has generated significant buzz in the spirits industry. According to the brand, it collaborates with skilled jimadores—local agave farmers—and partners with a distillery in the Amatitán region of Jalisco, ensuring they wait six to seven years for the agaves to reach peak maturity. Additionally, the brand emphasizes its commitment to sustainability, featuring a solar-powered distillery and an agave recycling program that supports local communities.
Tequila manual:
What is tequila, exactly?
Tequila is made from the heart of the Blue Weber agave plant. To be labeled ‘tequila,’ it must contain at least 51% Blue agave. The piña, or heart of the agave plant, is harvested by hand after about eight to ten years of growth in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
What are the different kinds of tequila and what makes them unique?
There are a few primary expressions of tequila: blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo, each with its own distinct personality. Here’s the breakdown:
- Blanco, also known as silver, is the purest form of tequila, bottled immediately after distillation or aged for a short period. It’s vibrant and crisp, allowing the agave flavor to shine, making it ideal for cocktails.
- Reposado, or ‘rested’ tequila, is aged in oak barrels for anywhere from two months to a year. This aging process gives it a smooth, mellow character with notes of vanilla and caramel, making it perfect for sipping or enhancing cocktails.
- Añejo, meaning ‘aged,’ rests in oak for at least one year, often longer. The result is a rich, complex tequila with layers of flavor, such as chocolate, spice, and dried fruit, ideal for savoring like a fine whiskey.
- Extra añejo, on the other hand, is aged for over three years, typically in a variety of wood barrels, with American and French oak being the most popular, perfect for sipping.
Are there specific ingredients in tequila to look for?
A tequila should only contain Blue agave and spring water. The best are additive-free tequilas, they come in their purest form to highlight the earthy and natural flavors.
What cocktails feature tequila?
While some enjoy tequila neat, it also makes a fantastic mixer. The most popular cocktails include margaritas, palomas, and tequila sunrises. Tequila is very versatile and can also be used in cocktails that people might not typically associate with it, such as mules, mojitos, martinis, and old fashioneds.
What’s the best way to enjoy tequila?
Each type of tequila has its unique characteristics.
- Blanco is best enjoyed on the rocks with lime or in cocktails.
- Reposado is delightful neat, on the rocks with lime or orange slices, or in cocktails.
- Añejo is wonderful neat, on the rocks, or with large ice cubes garnished with an orange slice.
- Extra añejo can be savored neat, with a splash of water, one large ice cube, or garnished with orange slices or chocolate.
How should you store tequila?
Tequila should be stored in a cool, dark place. The ideal temperature range is between 13°C to 21°C. Tequila should be avoided to be stored in areas with significant temperature fluctuations, such as near a stove, and steer clear of direct sunlight and humidity. Keep bottles upright to prevent the liquid from touching the cork or cap, which can degrade the tequila, and always seal them properly.
What is the difference between tequila and mezcal?
All tequilas are mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequila. Mezcal can be made from various agave plants anywhere in Mexico, while tequila can only be produced from the Blue Weber agave plant.
