10 Popular Celebrity-owned Tequila Brands
First it was Champagne, then Cognac and gin – now, tequila is the booze bandwagon that celebs are hopping on. When they’re not busy scooping up Oscars or slaying on the runway, these Hollywood A-listers are making a fortune from agave spirits. Find out whether these celebrity-owned tequila brands are actually worth a shot.
George Clooney & Friends – Casamigos Tequila
Besides being a suave ‘silver fox’ and decorated actor, George Clooney has been dominating the beverage business for a minute. While Clooney has earned a reputation as a Nespresso brand ambassador for years, the veteran actor also forms part of the ultra-premium tequila and mezcal brand, Casamigos.
Together with long-time pals, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman, Clooney co-founded the popular tequila. Inspired by countless tequila-filled nights, the business venture presented itself. The extensive range houses seven products – Casamigos Jalapeño, Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Cristalino and Mezcal – and is supposedly one of the best celebrity-owned tequilas, not simply for its celebrity endorsement but for its taste.
Average cost: R1899.00–R 2400.00
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson – Teremana Tequila
If there’s a celebrity who knows how to stay current, it’s Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Together, with the owners of a Mexican family distillery, the actor and former wrestler created Teremana Tequila. While most celebrity-owned tequila brands are touted for their associations, Teremana is one of the few that has earned a glowing reputation for its distinctly delicious taste.
Teremana, meaning ‘Spirit of the Earth,’ is a product of the Jalisco Highlands. After harvesting the agave, the jimadores (agave farmers) slow-roast the sweet agave in brick ovens and distill them in handmade copper pot stills to produce flavourful and smooth tequila. The tequila is reportedly one of the top contenders, with many saying that this decent-tasting tequila can be enjoyed neat or mixed in cocktails.
Average cost: R 1859.00–R 2100.00
Kevin Hart – Gran Coramino
It makes sense that besties, Johnson and Hart would both own tequilas. Comedian and Ride Along actor, Kevin Hart, also known as “the hardest working man in show business,” founded the business along with Juan Domingo Beckmann, an 11th-generation tequila maker.
Gran Coramino Cristalino was their first product to launch; the crystal clear tequila is usually filtered with charcoal to strip the colour from the tequila, ensuring that the tequila retains its flavour. Its counterparts, Reposado and Añejo, are rested in American and French white oak and aged in Eastern European casks, respectively. Though the brand’s motto is “hard work tastes different,” some reviewers beg to disagree, claiming that the Añejo is a smooth tequila but the butterscotch flavour is a touch too much.
Average cost: R 993.42–R 3699.99
Kendall Jenner – 818
Say what you will about the Kardashians and Jenners, but you have to respect their entrepreneurial hustle – hats off to momager, Kris. When she’s not modelling on the runway, securing brand deals or ordering her signature Peaches & Cream Erewhon smoothie, Kendall Jenner is drinking 818 with her friends at the beach.
Launched in 2021, this celeb-owned tequila has three variations: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and the house Reserve. Despite having earned 43 blind tasting awards at 13 international spirits competitions since its inception, there are mixed reviews about Jenner’s tequila – some saying that it’s ‘overhyped’ or ‘sweet’; then again, others say that it’s ‘not too shabby.’ For the sake of the price tag, we hope it holds up.
Average cost: R 2259.00–R 8999.99
Mark Wahlberg – Flecha Azul
Not to be confused with Clase Azul, Flecha Azul is the brainchild of entrepreneur, Aron Marquez, and PGA pro-golfer, Abraham Ancer. The famous tequila has garnered greater popularity after actor, director and former rapper, Mark Wahlberg, invested in the brand in 2021. While he was famously a wine connoisseur, the actor became a tequila lover for fitness reasons, claiming that it’s tougher to burn calories when consuming wine.
Flecha Azul Tequila’s range consists of five varieties – Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Cristalino, and Extra Añejo. Crafted with zero additives and produced in ‘Tequila Valley’, Mexico, this celeb-owned tequila is made from only three ingredients – fully mature 100% Blue Weber Agave, volcanic water and yeast. The flavours are crisp and untainted, with some featuring agave, buttery oak, warm spices and vanilla notes.
Average cost: R 2499.00–R 2999.99
Aaron Paul & Bryan Cranston – Dos Hombres Mezcal
When every Hollywood celeb and their friend decided to invest in a tequila brand, Breaking Bad co-stars and friends, Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, turned to mezcal. Dos Hombres Mezcal is created using the quality Espadin agave from the hillsides of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Third-generation mezcalero, Gregorio Velasco, created the unmistakable taste of Dos Hombres Mezcal using only traditional techniques. Tasting notes of apple, wood, mango and local fruits like zapote are featured in the standard Espadin Mezcal. It also has a smoky finish provided by the volcanic stone and firewood from the ovens used to roast the heart of the agave. The brand also has a limited edition Tobala Mezcal.
Average cost: R 2399–R 3699.99
Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves – Pantalones
Newer to the tequila scene is Pantalones, owned by Hollywood power couple, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves. Thankfully, they’re not completely ‘Dazed and Confused’; the pair admits that “the world doesn’t need another celebrity tequila,” but apparently, “the Tequila industry could use a shot of fun.” The marketing team certainly nailed the brief when they rolled out the social media campaign for its release.
The super-premium tequila is made entirely from Blue Weber Agave, sourced from the farm of fourth-generation farmers. Pantalones houses three expressions: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, which are rested in American oak whisky barrels. As far as reviews go, some say that the smoothness is right on the money, while the vanilla and coconut notes are a bit much. It might be ‘alright, alright, alright,’ but we’re not sure it will ‘blow your pants off.’
Average cost: ~R 818–R 996 *not available in South Africa.
Eva Longoria – Casa Del Sol
Desperate Housewives star, Eva Longoria, has been ahead of the game for some time. The actress co-founded the luxury tequila brand, Casa Del Sol, back in 2000. Crafted with a deep respect for the Mexican heritage of tequila-making, the female tequileras at Casa Del Sol come from a long legacy of spirited maestros. Crafted in Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, the tequila is aged to perfection in French oak and Cognac barrels.
A tribute to Mayahuel, the Aztec goddess of agave, and the magic golden hour, Casa Del Sol is best enjoyed in sundowner cocktails. While the respective tasting notes for the Blanco, Reposado and Añejo range from fresh mint to wild honey to oak and chestnut, a few reviews claim that the Blanco has an odd ‘bubblegum’ taste to it, and the French Limousin oak used in the ageing process lends an unpleasant sweetness for some. The one consistent highlight is that this tequila is undeniably smooth – for the price, it had better be!
Average cost: R 3699–R 4899
Blake Lively – Betty Booze
Though not exclusively a tequila, this sparkling drink definitely deserves a mention. Created by actress Blake Lively, Betty Booze has a refreshing and innovative sparkling tequila range, offering cocktail enthusiasts a drink made from real, high-quality ingredients. Combining sparkling water, premium tequila, fresh fruits and herbs, Betty Booze offers a light drinking experience that’s perfect for casual get-togethers.
Besides the bourbon range, Betty Booze has three sparkling tequilas: one with oak smoked lemonade, another with lime shiso and, lastly, Sparkling Tequila with Smoky Pineapple. Many say that the drinks are refreshing, making them ideal ready-made cocktails or chasers for sundowner drinks. While the drink doesn’t contain any artificial flavours, one ingredient used in the Sparkling Tequila with Oak Smoked Lemonade has certainly caught the attention of many – it’s butter!
Average cost: from R 271.50 *not available in South Africa
Michael Jordan & NBA squad – Cincoro
Founded by basketball legend, Michael Jordan, and fellow NBA owners – Emilia Fazzalari, Wyc Grousbeck, Jeanie Buss and Wes Edens – Cincoro was inspired by a shared love for tequila. The name is derived from the Spanish words for ‘five’ and ‘gold,’ representing the five founders and their quest for perfection.
This celebrity-owned tequila is made using 100% Blue Weber agave from Jalisco, Mexico, resulting in a smooth and flavourful spirit. The tequila blanco features citrus notes, while the other expressions have rich chocolate, caramel and vanilla notes. As with a few celebrity tequilas, Cincoro apparently has a sweet taste, which some describe as borderline ‘artificial,’ with the smoothness being its redeeming quality.
Average cost: R 2190–R 3999
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