We’ve discussed celebrity spirits, particularly in the tequila world, here ad nauseam. The level of fame of the backing stars (and the quality of the tequila) varies, but it’s hard to argue with the cache that having someone like Michael Jordan onboard brings to a brand. That brand, Cincoro Tequila, just launched a new añejo cristalino expression, and also celebrated five years of existence earlier this week at a celeb-packed event in New York City.
Cincoro, which officially launched in 2019, has some serious C-suite NBA backers: Jeanie Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers, Wes Edens of the Milwaukee Bucks, Emilia Fazzalari and Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics, and the man himself, Michael Jordan. The tequila is produced at the Casa Maestri distillery (NOM 1438) in Jalisco, where about 200 other brands are also made. While critics of the tequila point to its sweet vanilla-like flavor profile as indicating the likely use of additives, the brand has been a success, winning some spirits awards and introducing new pricy expressions over the years. These include Extra Añejo and Gold tequilas, the latter of which is a blend of all three of the aged expressions and the blanco.
The latest release Cincoro is a cristalino, an añejo tequila (aged one to three years) that has been filtered to remove the color picked up during the time it spent maturing inside barrels. In this case, the tequila is distilled from Blue Weber agave grown in the Highlands and Lowlands, and then aged for nearly two years in ex-Tennessee whiskey barrels. The official tasting notes describe a clear spirit with notes of citrus, agave, and fruit on the palate.
On Tuesday night, the Cincoro team threw a party in New York City to celebrate the brand’s fifth anniversary and introduce the añejo expression. Espresso Martinis and Cristalino Margaritas were served at the event, as well as neat pours of the Añejo Cristalino paired with Petrossian caviar. “Five years ago, we set out to create an exceptional brand and achieve the gold standard in tequila,” said Jordan in a statement. “What started as a passion project has grown into something truly special with some of my closest friends joining the business and enjoying Cincoro together, whether it’s stateside or around the world.” Attendees included Jordan and the other NBA founders, as well as Eric Church, Michael Strahan, and Derek Jeter, who is also a co-owner of the brand along with tennis star Serena Williams.
Cincoro Añejo Cristalino is available now to purchase from ReserveBar ($150), along with the rest of the lineup.
