Casamigos Tequila emerged as one of the first major celebrity alcohol brands of the 2000s, and surprisingly, it was a tequila! George Clooney foresaw the potential.
The story behind the brand is as charming as it gets: three friends with a shared love for good times decided to bottle their own tequila. What started as a fun passion project to discover the perfect tequila led them to a gem that they initially kept for personal enjoyment. After some convincing from their friends to share it with a broader audience, they launched Casamigos. Before long, it went from a private stash to a full-fledged brand, complete with a marketing rollout, and now you’ll find it stocked on liquor store shelves everywhere.
Since its inception, Casamigos has expanded its lineup to include a mezcal and has even embraced the Cristalino tequila trend.
Of course, George Clooney isn’t out in the fields harvesting agaves himself. If we trace the tequila back to its NOM (the identification number assigned to each distillery), Casamigos was initially crafted at NOM 1416, which also produces several other celebrity tequilas and the well-known Clase Azul. After Diageo acquired the brand, production moved to NOM 1609, a distillery owned by Diageo.
Casamigos proudly claims to use 100% blue weber agave from Jalisco. They roast their agaves for ten times longer than the industry standard and ferment for twice as long, with the tequila being aged in American ex-Bourbon barrels. Each variety is bottled at 40% ABV.
We’re about to see how Casamigos stacks up against other celebrity tequilas by tasting their flagship lineup: the Blanco (unaged), the Reposado (aged for 7 months), and the Anejo (aged for 14 months). Both the Reposado and Anejo start as the Blanco, but are aged for different periods.
Let’s dive in!
Casamigos Tequila Blanco, 40% ABV – Review
Taste Description
Color: Clear, like water.
Aroma: Opens with a distinct vegetal aroma, reminiscent of freshly cut succulents or grass. This is followed by prominent notes of vanilla frosting, vanilla cream cake, or fondant. There are hints of dried mint and a touch of finger lime, giving it a sweet profile while maintaining a classic vegetal undertone.
Taste: Dominated by flavors of vanilla, sugar syrup, maltose candy, and agave syrup, evoking the taste of a creamy vanilla sponge cake. There’s also a noticeable candy corn sweetness. A light sprinkle of black pepper adds some balance, along with subtle hints of eucalyptus and a touch of lemon zest.
Finish: Clean and short, with a lingering hint of lemon sherbet candy.
My Impressions
Let’s be upfront—it definitely tastes like it has been sweetened, with prominent notes of vanilla frosting and candy that stand out. If you’re here expecting artisanal craftsmanship, you might need to reconsider; after all, this is a celebrity-backed tequila. For the purpose of this review, we’ll assess it from the angle that it likely contains added sweeteners, and we’ll evaluate it on a scale that’s fair for celebrity-branded spirits.
Tequila Reposado, 40% ABV – Review
Taste Description
Color: Light Gold
Aroma: The dominant vanilla frosting aroma persists, but it’s complemented by hints of butterscotch that add a bit more depth. The vegetal notes are still present but have taken a backseat, appearing softer and less pronounced. There’s also a touch of light woodiness and a hint of cinnamon.
Taste: The strong vanilla profile continues, enhanced by a richer, more pronounced butterscotch flavor. The agave is still detectable, reminiscent of agave syrup, and there’s a subtle woodiness that introduces a slight bitterness. A light dusting of cinnamon and a hint of minerality round out the palate, maintaining a very smooth overall taste.
Finish: The finish is noticeably more peppery compared to the initial sip and is longer-lasting, with lingering notes of vanilla cream.
My Impressions
Since the Reposado builds on the Blanco, which likely includes sweeteners, it’s no surprise that those strong vanilla and candy-like notes are still present. However, I found the Reposado to be more enjoyable overall, as it didn’t come off as overly sweet and had added layers of complexity that made it more pleasant to drink. The finish was also more gratifying and provided a much-needed balance to the overall tasting experience.
The rich butterscotch flavor is likely to appeal to many, thanks to its rounded toffee-like earthiness that adds a comforting depth to the Reposado.
Additionally, the vegetal notes are much more subdued here, making it a great option for those who aren’t typically fans of the more traditional tequila flavors.
When compared to other celebrity tequilas, this one stands out as quite enjoyable, primarily due to those delightful butterscotch notes. Evaluating it alongside other tequilas with additives, it feels much like sipping on a dessert-like frappé.
Casamigos Tequila Anejo, 40% ABV – Review
Taste Description
Color: Warm Honey
Aroma: The nose is rich with butterscotch, layered with deeper toffee undertones. There’s a touch of aged wood, reminiscent of a dusty cellar, alongside hints of marzipan and cinnamon. A subtle whisper of vegetal notes lingers in the background, akin to the scent of fresh agave.
Taste: The palate is a sweet yet herbal blend, with a satisfying richness. Honey and butterscotch dominate, intertwined with manuka honey and a well-integrated agave depth. It remains on the sweeter side, with mild wood tones that aren’t overly pronounced. Additional nuances include milk chocolate, traces of tobacco leaves, warm pastry notes, and a hint of lemon-infused tea.
Finish: The finish introduces a bit more spice, extending into a lengthy, silky texture, with lasting impressions of milk chocolate, creamy vanilla, and lemon tea undertones.
My Impressions
What struck me the most is that the Anejo feels less overtly sweet compared to the Blanco and Reposado. The sweetness is more restrained, thanks to the stronger toffee and earthy notes that bring a sense of balance.
It smooths out quite well, offering a pleasant body with enjoyable confectionery flavors that are far more approachable due to the reduced sweetness. The agave notes are well-integrated into the palate, adding a nice touch. The finish is particularly satisfying, rounding off the tasting experience nicely.
The only downside I see is that, although it’s undeniably delicious and easy to enjoy with its sweet-earthy mix, it does skew heavily towards confectionery notes. While that’s likely a hit with many, adding more layers and complexity could elevate it further.
Despite that, this was my top pick of the three. It’s highly drinkable, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable for what it is—especially since the sweetness is much better balanced in this one.
Final Words
Yes, we’re aware that sweeteners are involved—we knew that going in! But out of pure curiosity, we decided to give it a shot anyway. To our surprise, it performed better than expected. Although it lacks depth and complexity, it still stands out compared to other celebrity tequilas. While it doesn’t capture the full range of what tequilas can truly offer and isn’t exactly artisanal or entirely natural, it’s still a decent option.
With that said, the Casamigos lineup genuinely outshines most celebrity tequilas. It offers better flavors, greater depth, and a smoother, more balanced profile, making it a more enjoyable and satisfying option. Beyond its sweetness, there’s little to fault—it’s simply a straightforward, easy-drinking agave spirit.
It achieves exactly what it sets out to do: provide a consistently pleasant and approachable drink, which it does exceptionally well. For me, the standout was clearly the Casamigos Anejo, followed by the Reposado, with the Blanco coming in third. If you’re considering trying one, go for the Anejo.