The best celebrity tequilas in 2024, tried and tested

Tequila can be a hotly contested topic. A brave few claim it as their go-to spirit for shots or sipping neat. Others recoil at the sight of it (usually because of too much of the former). Some even prefer its smokey cousin, mezcal. Either way, most cocktail enthusiasts have strong opinions on the spirit; either you really love it or really hate it.

Despite the great tequila divide, almost every business-savvy celebrity is racing to start their own line. It’s a phenomenon sweeping the spirits industry, which has seen a huge rise in tequila consumption. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), “Since 2002, tequila volumes have grown 180%, an average rate of 6.2% per year. In 2019 alone, 20.1 million 9-liter cases were sold.” There’s even a line of tequila called Not A Celebrity Tequila, whose founders are on a mission to stay ahead of the celebrity curve, stick to tequila’s roots and celebrate traditional practices.

Genuine tequila can only come from five Mexican states and must be crafted from at least 51% Blue agave, which means all these celebrities had to watch their p’s and q’s when slapping their name on a bottle. Just like an authentic Champagne must come from a specific region in France, you’ll know if you’re drinking a real tequila if it’s awarded a Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT)-certified label.

Yet, though it’s already a crowded space, more celebrity-founded tequilas continue to sprout up on shelves and all over social media. That’s why we set out to find out if premium celebrity tequilas are worth the splurge. And because we needed to be thorough, we taste-tested our way through a star-studded roster of bottles —  though were mindful to take each sip with a grain of salt, and of course, a lot of tajín.

How we tested

To do our testing, we headed to Bar Bastion, a swanky cocktail bar in the heart of Midtown known for its killer tequila-based cocktails and “Mad Men”-worthy aesthetic. It also has a selection of sophisticated light bites, courtesy of Le Jardinier’s executive chef Andrew Ayala.

We met with head bartender Ana Moraes to get her insight on what makes a good tequila and her favorite cocktails to craft using this spirit, which included mouth-watering variations of the much-loved espresso martini, margarita and old fashioned.

Over Ana’s glossy, glamorous bar, we worked our way through blanco expressions, the purest form of tequila, and later tried añejos, a smoother, matured variation. We enjoyed each tequila in wine glasses, along with orange and lime wedges.

As our tequila guide, Ana advised us to look out for the color of each tequila, the note-worthy flavors and ingredients like vanilla or caramel, and the balance of agave levels.

“Tequila is crafted from the heart of the Blue Weber agave plant.,” the expert shared, warning us to be on the lookout for unnecessary additives (though they are allowed to be added).

“The agave plant’s heart, or piña, is harvested by hand after about 8 to 10 years of growth in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. It’s a spirit that carries the warmth of the sun and the richness of the land. Whether you’re sipping it neat or mixing it in a cocktail, tequila has this magical way of bringing people together and turning any moment into a celebration.” Her main tequila takeaway? “Each type of tequila has its unique charm, so there’s something for everyone, even if you’re looking to mix, sip or savor,” she says.

Whether you’re looking for the right tequila to make your next favorite cocktail or just curious to see which celebrity tequila we liked best, here’s everything you need to know:

The best celebrity tequila: Flecha Azul Tequila Blanco

You may have heard of Flecha Azul if you’re a fan of Mark Wahlberg, actor, producer, investor and founder of the social media phenomenon the 4 AM Workout Club. The famous Bostonian has an impressive list of accolades, some even including culinary endeavors like burger chain Wahlburgers and investments in fitness enterprises like F45 and Aquahydrate. Although tequila is a surprising undertaking for the health-conscious celebrity, Wahlberg is a self-proclaimed “tequila guy.”

When Wahlbergjoined the Flecha Azul team in 2022, he told CNN’s Chloe Melas he was initially hesitant: “You have all these other people out there claiming to have gone to Mexico and created tequila and cultivated agave.” But Wahlberg changed his mind once he tried Flecha Azul with cofounders Abraham Ancer, a Mexican PGA golfer, and entrepreneur Aron Marquez. He even visited the distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. The Flecha Azul founders shared in that same 2022 CNN interview that they were on a mission to make a tequila that honored their Mexican culture and generational ties to tequila-making.

According to its website, the Flecha Azul Tequila Blanco is made from fully mature agave in the lowlands of Jalisco in a Mexican-owned & operated Tequila Orendain De Jalisco distillery established in 1926. The blanco is also free of additives, including glycerin, sugar-based syrup, oak extract and caramel coating — all best served up in a classic margarita.

After breaking open this bottle, our taste testers agreed this rich and silky tequila was worthy of high praise — along with its $55 price tag. Many were impressed by the sweet, slightly floral scent and light feel of this blanco. After savoring a few sips, with and without orange and lime wedges, a few of us noted it had subtle dashes of citrus, yet it didn’t feel overpowering.

Editor Jillian Tracy appreciated the subtlety of this blanco, adding it didn’t have a harsh bite and would be a great addition to higher-end cocktails. Photographer Molly Flores described this tequila as a “slightly floral and balanced” top contender. Almost all of us were surprised by the tequila’s texture, which director of commerce operations Roy Lee found to be “very smooth.” Health and fitness editor Tobey Grumet Segal added it was “thicker but balanced,” and her favorite overall. Travel editor Andrew Kunesh agreed, taking note of the surprising consistency, which he described as thicker and smoother than others we tested. This all checks out, considering the brand’s tasting notes are described as “clean, with a bright and refreshing finish.”

The best celebrity tequila runner-up: Teremana Blanco

It seems like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can do no wrong. The “People’s Champ” has tackled everything from the pro wrestling arena to Hollywood and everything in between. We’ve even tested — and loved — his skincare line, Papatui. The wrestler-turned-actor joined the tequila bandwagon back in 2020. According to CNN’s Brad Japhe, Johnson felt inspired to start Teremana after a 2007 press trip to Mexico for “The Game Plan.”

Teremana is handcrafted in the small Mexican town of Jesús Maria using only fully mature 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the highlands of Mexico, according to its site. It’s also roasted in brick ovens and distilled in copper pots for a smooth finish. It does have one intangible ingredient that sets it apart: the good spirit of “mana,” or spiritual energy in Polynesian cultures.

According to Teremana’s website, this tequila has tasting notes of “bright citrus with a smooth, fresh finish.” I couldn’t get enough of the floral pineapple undertones, which I thought would pair well with mango juice and tajïn for a tropical margarita. Others found this blanco to have a strong, oak quality that created a beautiful balance with the citrus nuances. Flores, who loved this tequila, wrote it was “super smooth” and senior testing editor Rick Stella noted it was “a little spicy but with a sweet taste.” Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus said it was so smooth that she didn’t need a chaser. Managing editor Rachel Quigley added it had “more of a kick” and Kunesh agreed, saying it had “more of a bite.”

The best celebrity tequila for shots: Pantalones Tequila Blanco

Some prefer savoring the complexity of a cocktail and the endless possibilities of ingredients, garnishes and syrups. Others chase the adrenaline rush from downing tequila neat with the theatrics of biting into lime and spices. Taking shots isn’t for everyone, but for those fearless few, this shock-to-the-heart tequila is an intoxicating winner.

Cofounded by Matthew and Camila McConaughey, Pantalones Organic Tequila is a love letter to their relationship. The Oscar-winning actor was inspired to start the tequila line after first encountering his future wife over margaritas. “We met over margaritas, and from that first sip, we knew we wanted to create something special together,” he explains on the brand’s website. And yes — pantalones translates to “pants” in Spanish but also means “guts.” Pantalones prides itself on using organic agave, specifically organically grown Blue Weber agave sourced from natural farmland, according to its site.

The site also describes the blanco aromas as, “raw agave, caramel, herbal, fruity, light guava, lime and vanilla.” When we sampled the tequila, our scrawled-out notes used descriptors including: “powerful, strong, vanilla and thick.” Although our testers couldn’t detect whiffs of guava or any fruit notes, we all definitely noticed the potent kick and heavier feel compared to other tequilas. I thought the sharp tang would pair well with fruit juices for a spicy margarita. Kunesh described it as having a strong bite and several other testers agreed it had a powerful aftertaste. Since blanco tequilas are bottled immediately after distillation and spend less time in barrels, they are considered to be the purest expression, so we shouldn’t be surprised. One thing’s for sure: This tequila is not for the faint of heart.

The best splurge-worthy tequila: Cincoro Blanco Tequila

If you follow basketball, Cincoro Tequila may have crossed your path. Michael Jordan founded Cincoro in 2016 along with rival NBA team owners — namely the owners of the Celtics, the Lakers, the Hornets (who Jordan is a minority owner of) and the Bucks, respectively, according to the Cincoro site. Despite their differing team loyalties, the five bonded over their love of tequila. That’s where the namesake comes from: five, or “cinco” in Spanish and “oro” for gold.

According to Cincoro, this tequila — like all tequilas we tested — was made from the Blue Weber agave from Jalisco, sun-nurtured and slowly steam-cooked to caramelize the agave. However, Cincoro Tequila is matured in Tennessee whiskey barrels, which cooks the tequila in a rich oak character for a “luxurious, long finish.” The end result? “Unparallelled richness and depth that dances on your palate.”

The Cincoro Blanco also features “light vanilla and citrus undertones,” according to the brand’s website. Our taste testers definitely noticed the sweetness of this Blanco, which Grumet Segal described as reminiscent of baking spices. Stella agreed, adding that it felt “very sweet on the nose.” Kunesh jotted down that Jordan’s tequila not only tasted but smelled incredibly sweet, reminding him of cotton candy. Lee found the consistency to be quite smooth and Kraus agreed, adding that it had a “buttery” texture. The most impressive part of the tequila, however, was the glamorous bottle it came in, which could be a stand-in trophy. For us, this “liquid gold” was clearly a slam dunk.

Other celebrity tequilas we tested

The tequila is harvested just like all others we tested. According to Casamigos, it’s crafted using an extra-slow fermentation, “a painstakingly slow process” along with slow cooking of the piñas in traditional brick ovens. The finished product is fruit-forward with “notes of vanilla and grapefruit” along with aromas of citrus and sweet agave.

Almost all of our taste testers were struck by the powerful, overwhelming alcohol smell wafting from our wine glasses. Several testers needed a lime or orange slice to stomach this blanco. Quigley summed up this tequila perfectly in just two words: “sweet and strong.” Kunesh agreed, adding that it smelled like candy. Stella thought it would make a good mixer for cocktails, but wasn’t a fan of sipping this blanco neat. Tracy found it to be “super sweet” with warm undertones, which she felt could be a “crowd-pleaser.” Meanwhile, social coordinator Gabby Triolo found it to be “not as sweet” as other tequilas we tried and preferred it with an orange slice.

All that being said, 818 Tequila has caused quite a buzz in the spirits industry. According to 818, the brand works with skilled jimadores, agave farmers local to the tequila region and partners with a distillery in the Amatitán region in Jalisco, “waiting six to seven years for the agaves to reach peak maturity.” The brand is also committed to a sustainable supply chain, specifically with a solar-powered distillery and agave recycling program that benefits local communities.

After drinking the 818 blanco, most taste-testers noted it was the sweetest tequila we sampled. Although some, like Quigley, found it to be mild and drinkable, others were struck by the candied flavors. Stella jotted down that this tequila “seemed to have a lot of added flavors.” Triolo agreed and even described it as reminiscent of chocolate. Grumet Segal noted the baking spices and Kunesh found it to lean heavily on vanilla. In fact, we agreed 818 felt more like a liquor than a tequila. According to 818’s website, this blanco features “agave and vanilla, with undertones of tropical and citrus fruit” — although most testers didn’t find any floral notes in this Blanco. Additionally, the finish has “notes of almond, key lime pie and toasted coconut,” which we all agreed was the case. If you’re a fan of dessert wine, you’ll love this dessert-inspired tequila.

According to Santo, the añejo is aged for an average of 24 months in American white oak barrels, which gives it a “peppery cedar” finish. It also contains elements of grapefruit peel, golden pineapple, tobacco resin and vanilla, along with dried desert sage and green melon. Of course, the celebrity chef’s tequila had to be packed with bold flavors.

Our verdict? Most taste-testers loved this daring añejo, rich in spices and juicy, fruity notes. Grumet Segal tasted flavorful plum and spice expressions and noted this was one of her favorite tequilas of the bunch. Stella raved about how delicious this aged tequila smelled and tasted. For some indescribable reason, I compared this tequila to chocolate, perhaps due to the vanilla notes and smokey tobacco. Lee found it incredibly smooth and Kunesh thought it was strong, but more agave-forward. Flores agreed, adding it had strong spicy, vanilla features.

Tequila 101

If there’s one thing head bartender Ana Moraes knows like the back of her hand, it’s good tequila. The cocktail expert and head of mixology at Bar Bastion crafts and pours tequila-based cocktails day in and day out, so you could say she’s fully immersed in the spirit. She shared her inside knowledge with CNN Underscored, from the difference between tequila and mezcal to her favorite expressions.

What is tequila, exactly?

“Tequila is crafted from the heart of the Blue Weber agave plant. All tequilas must be composed of 51% Blue agave to be considered ‘tequila’. The agave plant’s heart, or piña, is harvested by hand after about eight to 10 years of growth in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico,” says Moraes.

What are the different kinds of tequila and what makes them unique?

“To boil it down simply, there are a few main expressions of tequila: blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo, and each has its own personality,” says Moraes. Here’s how it breaks down. “Blanco, also known as silver, is the purest form of tequila, bottled right after distillation or aged for a short time. It’s vibrant, with a crisp, fresh flavor that really lets the agave shine, making it perfect for cocktails.”

“Reposado, or ‘rested’ tequila, spends some time in oak barrels, anywhere from two months to a year. This aging process gives it a smooth, mellow character with hints of vanilla and caramel, making it great for sipping or adding depth to cocktails,” says Moraes.

Finally, Moraes says that, “Añejo, meaning ‘aged,’ takes it a step further by resting in oak for at least one year, often more. The result is a rich, complex tequila with layers of flavor, like chocolate, spice, and dried fruit, perfect for savoring slowly like you would a fine whiskey. There is also the extra añejo, which is a style of aged tequila where the spirit must be aged for more than three years, typically in oak barrels. Most distillers use a variety of wood barrels to age extra añejo tequila, but the most popular are American and French oak, perfect for sipping.”

What are your favorite kinds of tequila? What is your favorite celebrity tequila?

“I love blancos and reposado for cocktails and añejo and extra añejo to drink neat or with a big ice cube,” she shared. “Santo Tequila is my favorite celebrity tequila.”

Are there ingredients in tequila you look for? Any you recommend avoiding?

“All a tequila needs is Blue agave and spring water. I always look for the additive-free tequilas, as I prefer them in their purest form to bring up the earthy and natural flavors.”

What cocktails have tequila in them?

Although some like tequila neat, you can’t go wrong with it as a mixer — especially at Bar Bastion. “The most popular ones are margaritas, palomas and tequila sunrises,” says Moraes. “Tequila is very versatile, and can be used also for a wide variety of cocktails, including ones that people don’t typically associate with tequila such as mules, mojitos, martinis and old fashioneds.”

What cocktails with tequila do people love to order at Bar Bastion?

“Definitely espresso martinis, margaritas and old fashioneds.”

What’s the best way to enjoy tequila?

According to Moraes, each expression of tequila has its own personality. Her recommendations? “Blanco is best on the rocks with lime or in cocktails. Reposado is great neat, on the rocks with lime or orange slices or in cocktails. Añejos are also wonderful neat, on the rocks or with big ice cubes garnished with an orange slice. And extra añejo can be savored neat, with a little bit of water, one big ice cube or some slices of orange or chocolate as garnish.”

How should you store tequila?

“Store tequila in a cool, dark place,” says Moraes. “Ideally, the temperatures should be between 55° Fahrenheit and 70° F (13° Celsius to 21° C). Avoid storing it in areas with significant temperature fluctuations, such as near a stove. And avoid direct sunlight and humidity,” she adds. “Store bottles upright to prevent the liquid from coming into contact with the cork or cap, which could potentially cause degradation. And always seal it properly.”

What is the difference between tequila and mezcal?

“All tequilas are mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequila,” explains Moraes. “Mezcals can be made anywhere in Mexico from multiple agave plants, but tequila can only be made from the Blue Weber agave plant.”