1800 Tequila is a major player in the spirits world. Launched in 1975 by the Beckmann family, which also owns Jose Cuervo, 1800 Tequila has been imported to the United States since 2008 and distributed by Proximo Spirits in Jersey City, N.J.
1800 Tequila is one of the most awarded tequila brands, and at the 2021 New York International Spirits Awards Competition, 1800’s Silver, Reposado and Cristalino editions all took home the Silver Medal for the Best Agave/Tequila. The 1800 Añejo took home the Gold Medal for Best Agave/Tequila. Like all premium tequilas, this popular spirit is made with 100 percent blue weber agave and is bottled in Jalisco, Mexico.
Here are eight more things you should know about 1800 Tequila.
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1800 is iconic.
1800 is produced at La Rojeña Distillery with a NOM of 1122. It is the oldest active distillery in Tequila, Jalisco. Yes, very ironic. 1800 also shares that distillery with other tequila brands such as Jose Cuervo and Gran Centenario.
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1800 honors its past.
Look, we all recognize 1800’s bottle at a first glance. You can’t miss it. But you might have missed the unique relationship associated with the bottle and its homeland’s heritage. The trapezoid-looking shape replicates the centuries-old Mayan stone pyramids housed in Mexico.
Then there’s the label: The 1800 logo showcases a crest that reads, “Trabajo, Passion, Honestidad.” This translates to “work, passion, honesty.” The crest signifies the brand’s traditional farming and distilling practices, honoring the jimadors that harvest agave at its full maturation, between 8 and 12 years old.
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Silver is a hot commodity.
The classic 1800 Tequila Silver is made from a selection of unaged tequilas that are double-distilled for the final batch. That is a hot commodity these days, especially with the pendulum-like swing of agave shortage and surplus. Additionally, awareness among consumers of additives and other corner-cutting processes in mass-produced tequila is increasing.
1800 offers more than its basic Silver: Another edition is the 1800 Coconut Reserva. This tequila derives from the double-distilled original 1800 Silver Tequila with a coconut twist — a natural coconut flavor with a slightly sweet, medium-bodied tropical finish, according to the brand.
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Looking for luxury? 1800 got you covered.
A new ultra-premium tequila has stepped onto the scene with 1800 Cristalino Tequila. Compared to the rest of 1800’s lineup, Cristalino is more expensive with a price tag of $65. With its crystallized bottle design, this clear añejo tequila is aged in both American and French oak barrels for 16 months, then in port wine barrels for an additional six months.
Additional aged tequilas include 1800 Añejo, aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of 14 months (the finished product showcases a flavor profile that includes toasted oak, vanilla, and butterscotch that is perfect for sipping); and 1800 Reposado Reserva, aged a minimum of six months in American and French oak barrels. This one highlights a spicy, caramel, smoky flavor profile that is meant to be served on the rocks or mixed in cocktails.
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1800 partnerships are genius.
1800 Tequila was the official drink of choice at the 2018 Genius IQ BBQ. Genius is a popular digital music publication that provides annotations to song lyrics and breaking stories within the music industry.
The signature event that Genius has hosted since 2017 invited 1800 Tequila to serve drinks at its own VIP bar. This immensely popular event has served as host to celebrities and musical artists making appearances, such as Tierra Whack, 21 Savage, and Doja Cat.
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1800 has a SoundCloud profile.
Yes, you read that right. Scene by 1800 is a sleek crossover between the drinks and entertainment industries. As part of its campaign, 1800 partners with popular artists to deliver personal stories and, of course, highlight 1800 products.
Scene by 1800 also releases celebrity-curated playlists that feature sounds that define the brand. All of these sounds are featured on SoundCloud. For those unfamiliar, SoundCloud is a groundbreaking platform that allows artists to upload and distribute music within a shared community.
1800 Tequila has playlists curated by rap artists such as Future and Pusha T, titled 1800 Seconds, as well as Sounds From the Scene, an 1800-curated playlist.
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1800 has a unique relationship with sports.
In October 2020, 1800 Tequila became the official tequila of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. This is 1800’s first partnership with any professional football team. This joint venture will offer 1800 LA Rita, an at-home specialty cocktail that is meant to be served salted and on the rocks.
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Yes, 1800 is Ready-to-Drink.
In 2006, 1800 released its first ready-to-drink (RTD) bottled cocktail. 1800 Ultimate Margarita is the brand’s version of an RTD. These on-the-go pre-mixed drinks are made with real tequila and come in many flavors including: Pineapple, Raspberry, Original, Watermelon, Jalapeño Lime, and Peach. Oh, and the price is extremely affordable compared to the rest of 1800’s lineup, with prices under $20 per 750-milliliter bottle.