The rich and famous people of the world are practically everywhere. From billboards to advertisements, the big screen or small screen, you’ll find their names and faces plastered just about here and there. Now, the tequila world is the latest one gaining traction in celebrity visibility, with several celebrity tequila brands popping up.
Further, these alcohol labels have proven to be a success for most of them. This means there will definitely be more famous faces jumping on the tequila bandwagon, if history’s anything to go by. These celebrities either own or endorse their respective tequila brand in hopes of causing a surge in the label’s popularity.
Here’s the list of global stars who’ve turned distillery into their day jobs.
George Clooney: Casamigos
George Clooney co-founded the Casamigos tequila brand in 2013, with friend Rande Gerber and property developer Mike Meldman. The co-founders, according to their interview with Rolling Stone, wanted to make “the best-tasting, smoothest tequila that didn’t have to be covered up with salt or lime.” They also had a goal of creating a tequila that would be free from the effects of a terrible hangover.
They’ve certainly achieved this with liquor made in Jalisco, Mexico, from 100% blue weber agave. The Casamigos ultra-premium roster currently includes the blanco, reposado and añejo range of tequilas. Each variation boasts a unique taste, including hints of citrus, vanilla, caramel and cocoa.
George Clooney and Co. sold Casamigos to liquor giants Diageo for $1bn in 2017, four years after its inception. Thus, the global acting superstar is undoubtedly the famous face who’s found the most success in the world of celebrity tequilas. Although they’ve sold their stakes in the company, they continue to play active roles in the brand.
A 750ml bottle of the Casamigos tequila variants ranges between $39,99 and $54,99.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Teremana
Dwayne Johnson has gone from a third-generation wrestling icon known as “The Rock” to one of Hollywood’s leading actors. The multi-talented superstar has now moved into the liquor business by launching his own tequila brand. He started Teremana in 2020, with his business partner and ex-wife, Dany Garcia.
Teremana is an “ultra-premium small-batch, highlands tequila” made from 100% agave tequila and is also crafted in Jalisco, Mexico. The spirit comes in Blanco and Reposado in three sizes – 375ml, 750ml and 1l. The Blanco features a bright citrus flavour, while the reposado has a hint of vanilla and oak.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Teremana tequila is on track to become yet another successful venture by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The tequila brand expected to sell over 300,000 cases in its first year and is now eyeing a million cases in 2021. For comparison’s sake, Casamigos got its evaluation of $1bn after selling around 175,000 cases in 2017.
Teremana retails for between $19,99 and $49,99.
Nick Jonas: Villa One Tequila
Nick Jonas shot to fame as part of the boy band “The Jonas Brothers” alongside his brothers. The group’s music lifted the spirits of many teenagers around the world. And now, Nick Jonas has turned his focus to making spirits that can be enjoyed by everyone, excluding teenagers.
He partnered with designer John Varvatos and the Stoli Group to launch Villa One, an ultra-premium spirit. The tequila brand was established in 2019 and features the reposado, añejo and silver range of spirits. Villa One tequila is handcrafted in both highlands and lowlands Jalisco using 100% blue weber agave.
The silver variant features a flavour of many fruit aromas, and the reposado has notes of dark chocolate and caramel flavours. The añejo boasts notes of smoke, dark chocolate and honey delivered with a rich and long-lasting finish.
A 750ml bottle of Villa One tequila ranges between $39,99 and $54,99.
Sammy Hagar and Guy Fieri: Santo Tequila
Sammy Hagar, a legendary rocker and renowned tequila maker, teamed up with celebrity chef Guy Fieri to cook up Santo Tequila. The tequila brand launched in 2019 with three ultra-premium variants as part of its portfolio. This includes a smooth old-world style tequila blanco, an oak-aged reposado and a first of its kind mezquila.
Dubbed as a “Higher Spirit”, Santo tequila is crafted in the highlands of Jalisco purely using agave. The blanco range has a full and complex taste with a smooth finish, and the reposado tequila has notes of lemon, grape and agave.
Their mezquila range is a mixture of tequila and mezcal. It is crafted using a combination of 100% Espadin agave and blue weber agave. The mezquila delivers a full taste with hints of agave, floral fruitiness and low saltiness.
Santo tequila prices for their 750ml bottles range from $47,99 to 69,99.
Justin Timberlake: Sauza 901 Silver
Justin Timberlake initially co-founded the potent “901” tequila in 2009, with Kevin Ruder. Then in 2014, their venture was acquired by Sauza Liquors (later bought by Beam Inc), and it was renamed Sauza 901 tequila. “901” is an ode to Justin Timberlake’s hometown of Memphis’ area code and passion for tequila.
In its current iteration, the spirit is a super premium 100% agave tequila that’s triple distilled. The tequila is handcrafted at Casa Sauza’s distillery in Mexico. It delivers a smooth, clean flavour with hints of lemon zest, spicy, citrus and dry flavour with a sugary finish.
Sauza 901 retails from $34 per 750ml bottle.
Sean “Diddy” Combs: DeLeón
Sean Combs, prominently known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy or Diddy, has got the “Midas touch.” Nearly all his ventures have turned to gold, and now his focus is on liquid. The famous rapper-turned-mogul acquired 50% of premium tequila brand DeLeón in 2014, with Diageo getting the other half.
A dive into the spirits world isn’t anything new for Combs, as he’s previously found success in before with Ciroc vodka. DeLeón’s tequila is made from prime 100% weber agave sourced from Jalisco’s rich earth. The brand radiates luxury from its bespoke-style bottles to the actual tequila; it has six different ranges to choose from.
This includes platinum, reposado, anejo, diamante, extra anejo and leona. Each variant spoils the taste buds with a unique flavour. The taste profile ranges from subtle hints of citrus, smooth vanilla, spice, caramelised oak, honey and toasted almonds.
Their tequila products range from $47 to $979 per 750ml bottle.
Carlos Santana: Casa Noble
Carlos Santana is a Jalisco native, which makes him an expected inclusion in this list. The Mexican legend has been involved with the Casa Noble brand since 2011. The tequila brand boasts four small-batch variants on its roster, which are triple-distilled and handcrafted.
These include a blanco crystal tequila, reposado, anejo and a single barrel extra anejo. The spirit is made using organic blue agave in Jalisco and delivers different tastes for each variant. A drinker’s palates are spoiled with smooth flavours ranging from hints of citrus, honey, toasted oak and vanilla.
The tequila comes in 375ml and 750ml bottles, which retail for between $19,99 and $87,99.
Kendall Jenner: 818
Kendall Jenner is famous for being a part of the Kardashian family and being a supermodel. Now, the celebrity is jumping on the tequila craze by introducing her own tequila, the small-batch “818”. She became the latest celebrity to launch a brand of tequila when she announced it on her Instragam in 2021.
Being relatively new, news on the 818 tequila has been on the thin side, but there are some known details about it. It has three different variants, including blanco, reposado and anejo. The spirit is award-winning, with judges at the World Tequila Awards impressed enough to vote it the “best reposado” and the anejo getting bronze.
The judges noted that reposado boasted a flavour of vanilla, caramel, an oaky influence and sweetness in the form of cinnamon ice cream. The anejo range is said to be sweet and vibrant on the tongue with notes of caramel, orange zest and asparagus. The spirits are made from organic agave in Jalisco.
The bottles are expected to retail from $60.
Michael Jordan: Cincoro
Michael Jordan soared to popularity in the 1980s to 1990s thanks to his prolific play on the basketball court. The basketball legend also continues to be famous for his “Air Jordan” shoe range. Now, he’s looking to dominate the world of spirits with his Cincoro tequila, co-founded with Jeanie Buss, Wes Edens, Wyc Grousbeck, and Emilia Fazzalari.
The cohort wanted to create a tequila that was “delicious with a smooth, long finish like a fine cognac or whiskey”. The Cincoro brand was then launched in late 2020 and features four expressions: the blanco, reposado, anejo and extra anejo. The spirits are made using 100% weber blue agave harvested from both the highlands and lowlands of Jalisco.
The variants are smooth on the palates and feature notes of citrus, vanilla, cooked agave, light and toasted oak, spices and chocolate. They come in 750ml bottles with a sleek design.
The retail prices range from $84 to $1599 per 750ml bottle.
AC/DC: Thunderstruck Tequila
Legendary rock stars AC/DC are no strangers to lifting people’s spirits thanks to their lengthy and successful music career. In 2016, they turned their focus into the spirit world by releasing three variants of Thunderstruck Tequila (named after their 1990 hit single). Their range of tequilas includes a silver, reposado and anejo spirits.
The spirits are handcrafted in Mexico using organic and pure weber blue agave. The blanco version boasts a taste of cooked agave with a spicy white peppery finish. The reposado variant has a full agave flavour with a smooth and rich finish.
AC/DC has ventured several times into the alcohol industry with wine, beer, and bourbon brands. This makes the success and great reviews of their tequilas expected.
AC/DC’s Thunderstruck tequilas retail from $34,99 per 750ml bottle.
The Chainsmokers: JAJA Tequila
The Chainsmokers are a DJ duo that catapulted themselves into global superstardom with the hit 2015 single “Don’t Let Me Down”. Soon after, the duo bought into JAJA Tequila in 2019, as both co-owners and endorsers. JAJA is a small batch tequila that features ranges of blanco, reposado and anejo.
The double-distilled spirit is handcrafted by experienced distillers in both highland and lowland Jalisco, using only the finest agave. Their variants all boast different flavours delivered with a smooth finish. JAJA Tequila offers subtle hints of black pepper and citrus, pure agave azul, vanilla, oak, caramel and honey.
JAJA translates to “HAHA”, signifying that the tequila is supposed to be a fun and delicious experience – a goal of the founders. The tequila is also sustainably made, meaning your palates are spoiled with an eco-friendly spirit.
The spirits come in 750ml bottles and retail for between $30 and $49.
Rita Ora: Próspero
UK singer and global sensation Rita Ora, announced her move into the alcohol industry by launching Próspero with Conecuh Brands in 2019. With the move, she became a shareholder and creative director of the brand. The pair are a natural fit as she said she had always been a “tequila girl” at the time of the launch.
The handcrafted spirit is made in Mexico’s Jalisco, using blue agave and features three different expressions; blanco, reposado and anejo. The blanco and anejo variations are award-winning and boast an immaculate flavour. Próspero’s range has hints of vanilla, spices, toasted caramel, cocoa and roasted fruit.
Próspero’s 750ml bottles range from $35 to $43.
Celebrities and Their Tequila Brands
Tequila sales have continued to grow in recent years, and many celebrities have jumped on the tequila game. Additionally, with the success of stars like George Clooney and “The Rock”, more are sure to come. The list of celebrities who’ve ventured into the alcohol business of tequila includes Diddy, Nick Jonas and more recently, Kendall Jenner.
These drinks, endorsed or owned by the world’s social elite, boast remarkable and award-winning flavours thanks to their making process. While you may not be as popular as these famous faces, you can also learn how tequila is made.