A-List Libations
From interviews about their latest film or album release, to dishy gossip page exploits, celebrities are used to making headlines for their work (or notoriety). The latest hottest accessory? Celebs launching their own spirits lines.
It’s not exactly new. In 1996, rocker Sammy Hagar (who has a house on Maui) was one of — if not the first — celebrity to come out with a tequila, Cabo Wabo, after finding success with his chain of Mexican restaurants of the same name. And in 2017, George Clooney made headlines when he sold Casamigos, the tequila brand he built with entrepreneur (and husband of Cindy Crawford) Rande Gerber, for an eye-pop- ping $1 billion. But it does seem like the pace of celeb-endorsed brands is increasing even further of late, and if you want to check out some of the freshest offerings, here are five worth noting:
SELVAREY RUM X BRUNO MARS
Hawai‘i’s own Bruno Mars is the co-owner and creative visionary for this line of Panamanian rums, packaged in distinct slender bottles. There’s a white rum that’s been aged in wood barrels for three to five years, a chocolate rum, and an “owner’s reserve” sipping rum made from a blend of rums 15 to 25 years in age. Mars takes an active role in the production — even starring in campaigns to promote the brand.
TEREMANA TEQUILA X DWAYNE JOHNSON
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently threw his considerable weight into the crowded tequila field with this small-batch offering. So far, the line comes in two styles, blanco and reposado, which are distilled in Mexico from 100% roasted Blue Weber agave in copper-pot stills. The name, a mash-up of the Latin “terra” for earth, and Hawaiian “mana” for spirit, nods to his Polynesian roots. (And if you want to go beyond tequila, Johnson has released a trio of tequila-spiked ice creams made in collaboration with super-hot creamery Salt & Straw to boot.)
WILD TURKEY LONGBRANCH BOURBON X MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY- Wild Turkey has roots in Kentucky that stretch back over 60 years, but they recently brought Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey on board to be the creative director for this line of bourbon. Distilled from a blend of corn, rye and malted barley, the flavor of this traditional Kentucky bourbon is enhanced with Texas mesquite and oak charcoals, a nod to McConaughey’s Texas roots.
CHOPIN VODKA X VERA WANG
Fashion designer Vera Wang shares her longtime love of vodka with this limited-edition collaboration with Polish vodka maker Chopin. She was involved in every step of the process, from selecting the very specific potato that makes the base, to designing the sleek black-and-white packaging and cocktail suggestions (she reportedly likes modified screwdrivers, lychee martinis... and enjoying vodka neat).
KING ST. VODKA X KATE HUDSON
Oscar-winning actress Kate Hudson may be well-known for her iconic role in Almost Famous but recently, she branched out into spirits. With a pretty, pink flower-adorned bottle, this vodka gets its name from the street on which she lived in New York City. Distilled seven times, it’s made with GMO-free corn and alkaline water and is produced in Santa Barbara, California.
AVIATION GIN X RYAN REYNOLDS
This Portland, Oregon-born gin was already well-established and respected in the craft spirits scene before actor Ryan Reynolds stepped up as a co-owner and spokesperson in 2018, using his star power to launch the brand into the stratosphere. Made in a bright, American dry style, seven ingredients (including juniper, cardamom, orange peel and cardamom) are used in the botanical mix, and the spirit is pot-distilled twice.
CÓDIGO 1530 TEQUILA X GEORGE STRAIT
Country music legend (and longtime tequila lover) George Strait is the co-owner of this well-respected tequila brand, which boasts an extensive line of blanco, reposado, añejo and several super premium offerings. The latest release, a 13-year-old extra añejo that’s been aged in French cognac casks, comes in a crystal bottle and sells upward of $3,000.