- Founded: 2013
- Owner: Diageo
- Owner Headquarters: London, UK
- Cases sold in 2022: 3.2 million
- Bottles sold: 38 million
- Value of retail sales 2022: US$1,530M
- Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM): NOM-1609
- Distillery: Diageo Mexico Operaciones, Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco
- Region: Highlands
Casamigos is the fourth highest selling tequila brand in the world.
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Casamigos Sales Trends
Casamigos tequila sales have grown massively in recent years with 3.2 million cases sold in 2022, up from around 100 thousand cases in 2017. A case is made up of 12 bottles. This represents a growth rate of 42.5% over 2021 or around 1 million additional cases. Casamigos has a tequila market share of about 6.9%.
Casamigos Tequila Brand History
Famously founded by actor George Clooney and friends Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman, Casamigos is one of the original celebrity tequilas and a true success story for the founders, and for current owner Diageo. Sales of Casamigos grew at over 95% in 2021 and is the fastest growing spirit brand of 2022 according to publication The Spirits Business.
The founders set out to create a tequila for themselves, something with no burn. They honed their product after reportedly going through 700 samples. After they realized that between themselves and other friends they were ordering 1000 bottles a year they were told they would need to get a license. So they “accidently” launched a company which would go on to be one of the most successful tequila brands.
Diageo raised a few eyebrows in 2017 when it bought the still young Casamigos for $US1 billion. Although $300m was to be based on achieving sales benchmarks, it’s pretty safe to say that these have been achieved given the explosive growth. Diageo has the second largest tequila sales of any company worldwide and also owns the third highest selling brand Don Julio.
The brand takes its name from the property where Clooner and Gerber have their homes in Mexico. The homes are part of a development by Meldman. The name roughly translates to “house of friends” and the origin story heavily leans on this.
Following the acquisition and growth, production shifted to Diageo’s distillery in Atotonilco el Alto, the same place where Don Julio is produced. In the earlier days, Casamigos was produced at the distillery owned by Productos Finos de Agave in Jesus Maria, Jalisco. At the time this distillery also produced Clase Azul tequila although this brand has now also moved to a new distillery, Casa Tradición, in San Augustin, Jalisco.
George Clooney no longer has an ownership stake in Casamigos but has an ongoing promotional relationship. Rande Gerber has stayed on as chairman of Casamigos.
Casamigos Product Range
Casamigos’ product line includes:
- Blanco
- Reposado (aged seven months)
- Añejo (aged 14 months)
- Cristalino reposado
- Jalapeño flavored blanco tequila (expected)
- Mezcal
All these expressions are 100% agave. Casamigos mezcal was launched in 2018 and is made in Oaxaca from espadín agave. Casamigos mezcal is the fourth most popular mezcal brand in the US.
Casamigos cristalino reposado was launched in 2023 – it is a clear, aged tequila that has been charcoal filtered.
A jalapeño flavored edition, “Casamigas”, in partnership with Cindy Crawford is expected to be launched in 2024, as first reported by this website.
How Much is Casamigos Tequila? Price Guide
How Much is a Shot of Casamigos Tequila at a Bar?
A shot of Casamigos blanco, or reposado costs about $13 at a bar or restaurant in the US in 2024. A shot of the Casamigos añejo costs about $15. The prices can range from $8 to $20 with the añejo being the most expensive.
A shot of Casamigos Mezcal costs around $15.
This is based on a review I made of tequila menus from 19 bars and restaurants in different states across the US.
A standard shot is 1.5 ounces, but bars can serve 1 to 2 ounce shots which can impact the price of shot of Casamigos tequila.
How Much is a Bottle of Casamigos Tequila?
Casamigos tequila costs between $50 and $60 per 750ml bottle in the USA in 2024. Casamigos mezcal costs $67 per bottle on average.
- Casamigos Blanco costs $50 per bottle on average
- Casamigos Reposado costs $56 per bottle on average
- Casamigos Añejo costs $61 per bottle on average
- Casamigos Cristalino Reposado costs $60 per bottle on average
- Casamigos Mezcal costs $67 per bottle on average
Further Questions About Casamigos
Who owns Casamigos tequila?
Casamigos tequila is owned by Diageo of the UK. Diageo bought Casamigos in 2017 for $1bn from founders George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman. Gerber remains as brand CEO and Clooney still has a promotional role.
Does Casamigos tequila have additives?
Yes Casamigos tequila has additives. Casamigos is one of the more prominent users of additives, making particularly sweet and “smooth” tequila that can only be achieved with additives. The mezcal is also uncharacteristically sweet, implying additive use. Additives include caramel coloring, glycerine, sweetener and oak extract.
Where is Casamigos tequila made?
Casamigos tequila is made at NOM-1609 at Diageo Mexico’s distillery in the town of Atotoncilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico.
What Casamigos tequila is the best?
Casamigos reposado is the best Casamigos tequila, with the highest ratings and the highest sales of its lineup.
What type of tequila is Casamigos?
Casamigos tequila is made from 100% agave. The tequila is made using traditional methods but with prominent use of additives. Casamigos makes blanco, reposado and añejo tequilas, including a cristalino reposado. They also make a mezcal.
Does Casamigos tequila go off?
An unopened bottle of Casamigos tequila will never go off, provided it is stored away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Once opened Casamigos should be drunk within a couple of years.
Is Casamigos tequila gluten free?
Yes, Casamigos tequila is gluten free. Like all tequilas (including mixtos) Casamigos contains no gluten.
Is Casamigos real tequila?
Yes, Casamigos is real tequila made from 100% agave. However, the strong use of additives mean that many purists would not call it a “true tequila”.
Is Casamigos tequila Kosher?
Yes, Casamigos tequila is considered acceptable as Kosher.
What is Casamigos tequila ABV?
All Casamigos tequilas are 40% ABV (80 proof). Almost all tequila sold in the US is 40% ABV.