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How is luxury defined? Sometimes luxury is clean and understated. Sometimes luxury is flashy and opulent. DeLeón Tequila managed to achieve all of the above when creating its luxury tequila.
The tequila itself is the part that is clean and understated. The definition of smoothness and luxury. The bottle design, the marketing, and the image of DeLeón Tequila qualify as flashy and opulent.
The DeLeón Tequila bottle is unmistakable. It could be confused with a high-end cologne or perfume. The bottle topper is metallic and ornate. The logo is simple but recognizable with a large “D” in a custom font.
Wow. A fine tequila in a fancy bottle. Exciting but not unprecedented. That’s where a certain hip-hop star with a history of success in the spirit world comes in and puts DeLeón Tequila over the top.
A Brief History of DeLeón Tequila
The hip-hop star in question is none other than Sean Puff Daddy Combs. Even though DeLeón Tequila started a few years before his involvement, he is an integral part of the DeLeón Tequila brand.
Before we go too deep into Puff Daddy’s involvement let’s start at the beginning. While there is a lot of tequila out there that has been around for a very long time, DeLeón Tequila is something different. DeLeón Tequila is part of a more recent wave of spirit brands.
DeLeón Tequila was founded in 2008 by Brent Hocking and was first released for sale in 2009. Brent Hocking left the mortgage industry to get into the world of spirits.
His goal from the outset was to create a luxury tequila made with only the finest ingredients. DeLeón Tequila is made in a town called Purísima del Rincón in Guanajuato, Mexico. The town name translates to “Purest of the Corner.” The town’s name is serendipity at its finest.
DeLeón Tequila started winning awards and gaining attention from the outset. It didn’t take long before investors and buyers came knocking.
In 2014 Sean Combs and Diageo partnered up to acquire DeLeón Tequila and the rest is history. In case it seems out of left field that Puff Daddy bought a tequila brand, it’s important to note that DeLeón Tequila wasn’t his first foray into alcoholic beverages.
He also teamed up with Diageo for Cîroc Vodka a few years earlier. Diageo is one of the largest alcoholic beverage companies in the world. Diageo is also responsible for famous brands like Tanqueray Gin, Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, and many others.
So besides the bottle and marketing, what makes the tequila so special? It’s the ingredients and care in which it’s made.
DeLeón Tequila starts by harvesting hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agave. Once harvested the agave is roasted in brick and clay ovens before fermentation and distillation.
DeLeón Tequila is distilled twice which allows the flavor to shine. Distilling more times can dilute the flavor.
Depending on the variety of tequila the liquid will be aged for a certain amount of time in casks before being put in the signature DeLeón Tequila bottles.
DeLeón Tequila Price, Variations & Sizes
DeLeón Tequila doesn’t have a huge array of varieties and flavors. DeLeón Tequila prefers to let the tequila speak for itself in terms of the liquid in the bottle.
DeLeón Tequila does not cost as much as some ultra-premium tequilas but it is more than your average tequila. The price will go up as the amount of time aged goes up accordingly.
DeLeón Blanco Tequila is the entry-level tequila in the line in terms of price. DeLeón Blanco Tequila (80 Proof, 40 percent alcohol by volume) is clear with a smooth finish. It’s also known as DeLeón Platinum Tequila.
- 375 ml, From $25.99
- 750 ml, From $42.00
- 75 L, From $62.99
DeLeón Reposado Tequila is next up in the collection. DeLeón Reposado Tequila is tequila aged in both American and French Oak casks. The result is an amber color and a more complex flavor profile.
DeLeón Reposado Tequila moves up in price and comes in at 80 Proof (40 percent alcohol by volume).
- 375 ml, From $30.99
- 750 ml, From $46.99
- 75 L, From $79.99
Añejo tequila by definition is aged for at least one year and up to three years in oak. DeLeón Añejo Tequila is aged for over one year starting in American Oak and finishing in French Oak wine casks.
The flavor is even more rich and complex than the reposado and the liquid pours a darker shade of amber. The extra time aging moves the price up slightly in this excellent 80 Proof (40 percent alcohol by volume) variety.
- 750 ml, From $56.24
In the past, DeLeón Tequila has also offered some additional varieties with some extra bells and whistles. DeLeón Extra Añejo Tequila was aged longer and at a higher alcohol percentage than other tequilas in the line.
DeLeón Leóna Tequila is a limited edition variety aged even longer than the others and sold in a custom box. These varieties can be found occasionally in the wild but the prices will vary.
DeLeón Tequila Alternatives and Comparisons
If we’re talking purely about alternatives based on the liquid in the bottle you can’t go wrong with Patrón Tequila.
Patrón similarly has a line of silver and aged tequila. Patrón is also considered a premium tequila but without breaking the bank.
Another in the same group as Patrón and DeLeón Tequila would be Don Julio Tequila. Don Julio is also made with 100% Blue Agave.
The next category to compare tequila would be in celebrity backers. As mentioned, Sean Puff Daddy Combs is part owner and spokesperson for DeLeón Tequila. Some other tequila brands with celebrities involved are Casamigos Blanco, Santo Fino Blanco, and Teremana Blanco.
Casamigos Tequila is a line of small-batch 100% Blue Agave Tequila backed by George Clooney. That’s right, Batman himself has a tequila.
Santo Fino Tequila is backed by two big names in the entertainment world known as Sammy Hagar and Guy Fieri. These two stars know a thing or two about tequila.
The final celebrity tequila comparison is Teremana Blanco brought to you by Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Casamigos and Santo Fino, at least the Blanco varieties, are at the same price point as DeLeón Tequila and Teremana is slightly less expensive.
How to Drink DeLeón Tequila
The best way to enjoy DeLeón Tequila is sipping on a glass while attending the Grammys or BET Hip Hop Awards.
If you can’t score a table at those events it can still be great at home or out at a bar. Since DeLeón Tequila is premium it’s made to be served neat or in a shot glass. It can also be mixed confidently as the base in many popular cocktails including a top-shelf Margarita.
For the best quality, DeLeón Tequila should be stored at room temperature or slightly cooler and kept out of direct sunlight.
FAQ – DeLeón Tequila
1. Is DeLeón Tequila Gluten-Free?
DeLeón Tequila is indeed gluten-free. When tequila is made with 100% agave and there are no other flavors or additives you can generally feel safe that your spirit is gluten-free.
Since DeLeón Tequila is 100% agave with no added flavor it falls into the gluten-free category.
2. Is DeLeón Tequila Vegan?
DeLeón Tequila is vegan. This means no animals are used in the product or in the production of DeLeón Tequila. But what about the worm!?! DeLeón Tequila does not contain a worm in the bottle.
It is actually a misconception that tequila bottles contain worms. If you do see a worm in your bottle of liquor that means you’re actually looking at mezcal. Mezcal is another liquor made from agave plants.
3. What do you mix with DeLeón Tequila?
DeLeón Tequila does just fine on its own but a premium cocktail can also hit the spot at times. Here are some favorites:
Platinum Paloma
- 1.5 oz DeLeón Blanco/Platinum Tequila
- 1 oz Grapefruit Juice
- .5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 Bar Spoon Cane Syrup
- 1 Lime Wedge (for Garnish)
Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well, strain into a rocks glass with ice, garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.
Platinum Margarita
- 1.5 oz DeLeón Blanco/Platinum Tequila
- .75 oz Lime Juice
- .5 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 Lime Wedge (for Garnish)
- Salt (for Rim of Glass)
Rub the rim of the Margarita glass with a lime slice to moisten. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt. Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker, shake well, and pour into a glass over ice.
Cobbleone
- 2 oz DeLeón Blanco/Platinum Tequila
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Agave Syrup
- .5 oz Amontillado Sherry
- .5 oz Pedro Ximenez Sherry
- Berries (for Garnish)
Add all liquid ingredients (except Pedro Ximenez Sherry) to a cocktail shaker. Shake well, and pour into a tall old fashioned glass. Top with crushed ice, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, and garnish with ripe blackberries and raspberries.
Interesting Facts & Myths
DeLeón Tequila isn’t the only liquor that Brent Hocking created. It isn’t even the only liquor that he came up with that has ties to hip-hop. In 2016 Brent Hocking released a brand of bourbon called Virginia Black Whiskey with Drake.
