Black-Owned Tequila Brands to Support on National Tequila Day
Tequila, the well-known Mexican spirit, has been around for centuries. Its origins date back to around 250 to 300 A.D., when the Aztec Indians first fermented agave juice to produce their ceremonial wine, pulque.
The drink caught on for centuries until the Aztecs received a surprise visit from the Spanish. After opening a trade route between Manila and Mexico, the Marquis of Altamira built the first large-scale distillery in the 1600s. This is now Tequila, Jalisco.
In the mid-1700s, Don José Antonio de Cuervo and his family began to distill tequila (Jose Cuervo) commercially. They found the Taberna de Cuervo, the farm where they would cultivate and harvest blue agave, a water-retaining plant found in central Mexico that is fermented and then distilled to create tequila.
In 1974, the Mexican government declared the term ‘tequila’ its intellectual property. Fast-forward to the early 2000s, and bartenders have used the spirit to create popular drinks like Margaritas and Tequila Sunrises. It is one of the most respected in the spirits and wine industry.
In honor of National Tequila Day (July 24), it's only right that we introduce you to four Black-owned premium tequila brands that fall under Pronghorn, a standalone business dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Black founders, executive leaders, and entrepreneurs in the spirits industry.
Los Hermanos 1978 Tequila
Los Hermanos 1978 Tequila is a small-batch tequila brand created by Maryland brothers Donta and William Henson during the pandemic in 2020.
The name means "brothers" in Spanish and 1978 stands for the year Donta was born. Their mission was to create high-quality tequila that celebrates family, friendship, and good times, and to bring people together over a shared love of the drink.
The tequila is aged in oak barrels and distilled twice. It is available in Blanco and Reposado variates, with the Blanco offering notes of citrus and the Reposado featuring notes of vanilla and caramel.
TCapri Tequila
Tiffany Capri Hainesworth launched TCapri Tequila in 2019.
The tequila, made in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, is hand-harvested and contains 100% Blue Weber agave slow cooked in traditional brick ovens, natural yeast, citrus fruits grown on the distillery, and volcanic filtered well water from the distillery's estate.
It is available in both Blanco and Reposado flavors, which is aged for six months in American white oak barrels.
Anteel Tequila
Anteel Tequila is Michigan-based company that is made from a blend of Highland and Lowland Blue Weber Agave plants. It was founded in 2017 by Nayana and Don Ferguson. The brand was named after the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, which symbolizes strength, courage, and positive energy.
The agave in the tequila is grown for six to seven years before being harvested, twice distilled, and cold-filtered.
- advertisement
Tequila with Friends
Tequila with Friends is a Tequila brand started by four childhood friends, Brandon Scott, Carnelius Arnick, Roddrick West, and Devin Woodson. It has a blend of highland agave, which is sweet, and lowland agave that has an earthier taste.
Tequila With Friends offers both Blanco and Reposado variates, with the Reposado aged for three months to a year and taking on a more golden color.
The drink was designed to be enjoyed with friends and are meant to evoke good times, great friends, and memories that last a lifetime.
