- Launched: 1998, Los Altos de Jalisco, by Cirilo Oropeza
- Owner: Davide Campari-Milano (Campari Group)
- Owner headquarters: Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
- Global volume sold in 2025: 1.9 million nine-liter cases
- Equivalent volume in 2025: 22.8 million 750 ml bottles
- Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM): NOM-1440
- Distillery: San Nicolas, San Ignacio Cerro Gordo, Jalisco
- Region: Highlands
“I consider these tequilas my second sons and care for them as I would my own family”
Cirilo Oropeza, founder of El Espolòn tequila
El Espolòn ranked eighth by global volume in the 2025 Brand Champions table.
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Espolòn Sales Trends
Espolòn recorded 1.9 million nine-liter cases worldwide in 2025, up 3.9% from 2024, placing it 8th in The Spirits Business, Brand Champions 2026. That volume is equivalent to 22.8 million 750 ml bottles.
Espolòn’s organic net sales grew 3% in 2025 and 8.2% in the first half of 2026, compared with the same periods a year earlier. Organic growth excludes currency movements and changes in the businesses included. These figures measure sales value; the chart shows volume.
El Espolòn Tequila Brand History
Cirilo Oropeza met the Mexican entrepreneur who would help develop Espolòn in 1995. Construction of Casa San Nicolas began in 1996, according to the brand’s history. He began his career in 1965 at the Ingenio Potrero Distillery in Veracruz, which produced rum from sugar cane. After working in gin and vodka distilleries, he moved into tequila with Jose Cuervo in the 1990s.
Espolòn launched in 1998. Campari acquired Destiladora San Nicolas, including the Espolòn brand and its distillery, in 2008. Its 2008 financial statements record a US$17.5 million purchase price plus US$10 million of debt and an additional payment tied to sales growth. The distillery is located in the Jalisco Highlands. Cirilo continued to work with the Espolòn brand as Master Distiller until his death in October 2020.
Campari ranked eighth by global tequila volume share in the IWSR 2024 comparison, with 3.8%. Its other major tequila brand is Cabo Wabo. Source: Becle’s March 2026 presentation.
Espolòn is Spanish for “spur.” The name refers to the spur on the back of a rooster’s leg. The brand’s mascot is a rooster named “Ramón” who appears on label artwork. The bottles feature woodcut illustrations created by Steven Noble, inspired by the artwork of 19th Century artist Jose Guadalupe Posada.
El Espolòn Tequila Product Range
Espolòn’s US range includes Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo and Cristalino, made from 100% blue Weber agave. The current Extra Añejo spends two and a half years in American oak and six months in French Chardonnay casks. Cristalino blends añejo with extra añejo and is charcoal-filtered to remove its color.
The brand also offers Flor de Oro, a seasonal reposado finished with marigold extract.
How Much is El Espolòn Tequila? Price Guide
How Much is a Shot of El Espolòn Tequila at a Bar?
A shot of Espolòn Blanco typically costs about $12 in our US menu survey, and Reposado about $13. Our US menu sample puts Añejo at around $13.‡ El Espolòn is one of the cheaper, decent quality tequilas that is widely available.
The October 2026 figures draw on nine venues for Blanco, ten for Reposado and six for Añejo.
A standard shot is 1.5 ounces, but bars can pour 1 to 2 ounces, which can affect the price of a shot of El Espolòn tequila.
How Much is a Bottle of El Espolòn Tequila?
In the US shops we checked on 2 October 2026, a 750 mL bottle of Espolòn Blanco was around US$27 and the current three-year Extra Añejo around US$70.‡
- Espolòn Blanco: about US$27.
- Espolòn Reposado: about US$31.
- Espolòn Añejo: about US$40.
- Espolòn Cristalino Añejo: about US$60.
- Espolòn Extra Añejo, three-year Chardonnay finish: about US$70.
Further Questions About El Espolòn
Who owns El Espolòn tequila?
El Espolòn tequila is owned by Campari Group of Italy. Campari acquired the brand with Destiladora San Nicolas in 2008 for US$17.5 million plus US$10 million of debt, with an additional payment tied to sales growth.
Does El Espolòn tequila have additives?
Yes El Espolòn tequila likely has additives, particularly the aged expressions. Additives include caramel coloring, glycerine, sweetener and oak extract.
Where is El Espolòn tequila made?
El Espolòn tequila is made at Casa San Nicolás, operated by Campari México in San Ignacio Cerro Gordo, Jalisco, in the Highlands. Explore Espolòn in the brand finder and other brands listed at NOM 1440. The October 1, 2026 CRT list also names Mayenda at NOM 1440. Sources: CRT, October 1, 2026; Campari’s San Nicolás production-site address. Read what a tequila NOM number tells you.
Which El Espolòn tequila is best?
El Espolòn extra añejo is the best in the lineup, with the highest ratings. El Espolòn reposado is the next highest rated.
What type of tequila is El Espolòn?
El Espolòn tequila is made from 100% agave. The tequila is made using mostly traditional methods but with a low pressure autoclave. El Espolòn makes blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo tequilas, including a cristalino añejo. Espolòn also sometimes releases special editions, like a chardonnay barrel aged reposado.
Does El Espolòn tequila go off?
An unopened bottle of El Espolòn tequila will never go off, provided it is stored away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Once opened El Espolòn should be drunk within a couple of years.
Is El Espolòn tequila gluten free?
Yes, El Espolòn tequila is gluten free. Like all tequilas (including mixtos) El Espolòn contains no gluten.
Is El Espolòn real tequila?
Yes, El Espolòn is real tequila made from 100% agave.
Is Espolòn tequila kosher?
Yes. cRc lists Espolòn Blanco, Añejo and Cristalino as kosher certified when the bottle bears the STAR-K logo.†
What is El Espolòn tequila ABV?
Espolòn’s US tequila bottles are 40% ABV (80 proof). Its Australian premixed cocktails are 4.5% ABV in 330 mL cans. For tequila bottles sold elsewhere, check the strength on the label. Our tequila ABV guide explains alcohol strength and proof.
Is Espolòn tequila organic?
Organic certification for Espolòn tequila is unconfirmed. Check the exact bottle for an organic claim and named certifier.
Organic sources checked October 14, 2026.
‡ Bottle figures are the middle prices of three or four shop listings per expression, each for a confirmed 750 mL bottle listed in stock when checked on 2 October 2026. Prices are in US dollars; public sale prices are included. Blanco: Hi-Proof, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Binny’s, Sip Tequila; Reposado: Hi-Proof, Binny’s, Old Town Tequila, Sip Tequila; Añejo: Old Town Tequila, Binny’s, Sip Tequila; Cristalino Añejo: Hi-Proof, Old Town Tequila, Sip Tequila; Extra Añejo, three-year Chardonnay finish: Binny’s, Old Town Tequila, Sip Tequila. Binny’s quotes are pickup listings for Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois; ABC’s are for the Loop store in Kissimmee, Florida. The other listed sellers are online shops. Online stock does not establish delivery to your address. Taxes and delivery charges may add to the price. Menu prices: US menus captured in October 2026; serving sizes vary. Prices are subject to change. ↩ ↩
† cRc’s tequila list names those three expressions; that listing does not cover Reposado. STAR-K’s tequila guidance accepts unflavored, CRT-approved 100% agave tequila without certification. It prefers reliable certification for reposado, añejo and cristalino, and excludes mixtos and specified wine or cask labels. Check the full exclusions against the bottle; this general acceptance is separate from brand certification. Sources checked October 14, 2026. See Is tequila kosher? for bottle checks, agency differences and Passover requirements. ↩