Casa Dragones is a small batch tequila brand from

San Miguel de Allende San Miguel de Allende () is the principal city in the municipality of San Miguel de Allende, located in the far eastern part of Guanajuato, Mexico. A part of the Bajío region, the city lies from Mexico City, 86 km (53 mi) from Queré ...

, Mexico. It was founded in 2009 by Bertha González Nieves, the first woman to be certified as ‘Maestra Tequilera’ by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, the organization recognized by The Tequila Regulatory Council, and MTV creator and iHeartMedia (iHeartradio) CEO Robert W. Pittman.

History

Casa Dragones is named after the Dragones from

: a cavalry led by

Ignacio Allende Ignacio José de Allende y Unzaga (, , ; January 21, 1769 – June 26, 1811), commonly known as Ignacio Allende, was a captain of the Spanish Army in New Spain who came to sympathize with the Mexican independence movement. He attended the secr ...

that eventually helped spark the independence movement from the Spanish, which led to the

Mexican War of Independence The Mexican War of Independence ( es, Guerra de Independencia de México, links=no, 16 September 1810 – 27 September 1821) was an armed conflict and political process resulting in Mexico's independence from Spain. It was not a single, co ...

. Although made in Jalisco, Casa Dragones is based in San Miguel de Allende. The original stables of the Dragones cavalry, now called La Casa Dragones, is located at Recreo, 16, in San Miguel de Allende. Casa Dragones originally only produced one blend, 'Tequila Casa Dragones Joven', but 5 years later, in 2014, they launched 'Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco'. Their latest product, 'Tequila Casa Dragones Barrel Blend' was launched in June 2020. In 2022, Casa Dragones launched its 4th expression, Casa Dragones Reposado Mizunara.

Tequilas

Casa Dragones is classified as a 100% Blue Agave tequila, and offers four types of ultra-premium tequilas: Casa Dragones

Joven Joven may refer to: Tequila * Joven (tequila), a type of tequila Given names * Joven Clarke (born 1983), Australian former rugby league footballer *Joven Alba, participated in Billiards and snooker at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games *Joven Bustam ...

, Casa Dragones

Blanco Blanco (''white'' or ''blank'' in Spanish) or Los Blancos may refer to: People *Blanco (surname) Fictional characters *Blanco, a hobbit in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth * Blanco Webb, character in the BBC sitcom ''Porridge'' * El Blanco, albin ...

, Casa Dragones Añejo Barrel Blend,and Casa Dragones Reposado Mizunara
Released in 2009, Casa Dragones Joven is a blend of 100% Blue Agave new silver tequila and extra-aged tequila, rested in new American Oak barrels to naturally create a complex taste for sipping. Casa Dragones Blanco was released in 2014 and is a 100% Blue Agave silver tequila, produced without aging, to deliver the unaltered taste of agave. Casa Dragones Añejo Barrel Blend, is 100% Blue Agave Añejo tequila matured in two different custom-made wood barrels, new French Oak and new American Oak, and then blended together at the end of the aging process. Casa Dragones Reposado Mizuanara, 100% Blue Agave reposado tequila, is the first tequila rested exclusively in new Mizunara casks, a rare oak originally from Japan.

Terroir

Tequila Tequila (; ) is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila northwest of Guadalajara, and in the Jaliscan Highlands ('' Los Altos de Jalisco'') of the central western Mexican s ...

has an appellation of origin, like

cognacs Cognac ( , also , ) is a variety of brandy named after the Communes of France, commune of Cognac, France. It is produced in the surrounding wine-growing region in the Departments of France, departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime. Cog ...

and

champagne Champagne (, ) is a sparkling wine originated and produced in the Champagne wine region of France under the rules of the appellation, that demand specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within it, ...

- tequila can only be produced in certain municipalities of Jalisco, Michoacan,

Nayarit Nayarit (), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Nayarit ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Nayarit), is one of the 31 states that, along with Mexico City, comprise the Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 20 municipalities and its ...

, Guanajuato or

Tamaulipas Tamaulipas (), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Tamaulipas ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas), is a state in the northeast region of Mexico; one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Federal Entiti ...

. Casa Dragones harvests its agaves in The Valley of Tequila, Jalisco, located in the

Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt ( es, Eje Volcánico Transversal), also known as the Transvolcanic Belt and locally as the (''Snowy Mountain Range''), is an active volcanic belt that covers central-southern Mexico. Several of its highest peaks h ...

- a chain of active and inactive volcanoes across Mexico.

Aging process

The brand's Añejo tequila, Casa Dragones Barrel Blend, 100% Blue Agave tequila achieves its character by being aged in two different wooden barrels: new French Oak and American Oak, each selected for its individual flavor and characteristics. At the end of the aging process both barrel styles are blended together.

Recognition

Accolades

2020, Casa Dragones Joven was featured in

Robb Report The ''Robb Report'' is an American, English-language, luxury-lifestyle magazine featuring products, including automobiles, aviation, boating, real estate and watches. Founded in 1976, it is currently owned by Penske Media Corporation. It also ...

’s list of " 20 Best Tequilas You Can Buy Right Now". 2020, '' Town & Country'' added Casa Dragones Joven to its "17 Best Sipping Tequilas" list. 2019, Casa Dragones was featured in

’s "The Best Tequilas You Can Buy" list. 2019, ''

Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also r ...

'' featured Casa Dragones’ Joven as one of "The Best Spirits and Cocktails of 2019". 2019, Casa Dragones’ Tasting Room and CEO Bertha González Nieves featured in luxury travel magazine, Departures. 2018, ''Esquire'' named Casa Dragones' Tasting Room a 'must-visit' spot in Mexico. 2018, ''

Vogue Vogue may refer to: Business * ''Vogue'' (magazine), a US fashion magazine ** British ''Vogue'', a British fashion magazine ** ''Vogue Arabia'', an Arab fashion magazine ** ''Vogue Australia'', an Australian fashion magazine ** ''Vogue China'', ...

'' named Casa Dragones Blanco a "best gift this Summer". 2018, Casa Dragones Blanco was featured in the first ever Bar Cart Awards as a mixologist's essential. 2017, CNN-travel named Casa Dragones Joven the ''best sipping tequila in the world''. 2017, Hailed "a Rose amongst Thorns" by luxury magazine ''Les Carats''. 2016, '' Travel + Leisure magazine'', described Casa Dragones Joven as "likely the best sipping tequila made". 2014, Casa Dragones Joven was named "Best Sipping Tequila" by '' Epicurious'' Magazine. May 2013, ''

Wine Enthusiast ''Wine Enthusiast'' magazine is an American wine magazine published by Wine Enthusiast Companies in Valhalla, New York. Founded in 1979 by Adam and Sybil Strum, Wine Enthusiast Companies engages in the wine accessories, storage, information, educat ...

'' rated Tequila Casa Dragones Joven a 96/100 – the magazine's highest tequila rating, saying, "The end result is extraordinarily smooth, with a very sweet, fruity, almost wine-like nose but a bold, pure peppery flavor that finishes cleanly". 2011, ''

'' named Casa Dragones as their Tastemaker's Top Tequila, and noted the Joven tequila as "smooth, fresh and inviting tequila meant for sipping". November 2010, Casa Dragones won the Grand Prix Stratégies du Luxe, a product and packaging design award for luxury brands. This was the first time a Mexican brand and a tequila had won this award

In the media

Oprah Winfrey dubbed Tequila Casa Dragones her favorite tequila in an interview with Facebook Live and on an Oprah's Favorite Things holiday television special. Casa Dragones was featured in

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fi ...

’s ''Chef's Table'' program. 2018, CEO Bertha González Nieves featured on the

Today Show ''Today'' (also called ''The Today Show'' or informally, ''NBC News Today'') is an American news and talk morning television show that airs weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on NBC. The program debuted on January 14, 1952. It w ...

’s feature, "Leading The Way", where she explained the story of Tequila Casa Dragones and named "''Tequila's Rising Star''". Casa Dragones tequila was featured on ''

Ellen Ellen is a female given name, a diminutive of Elizabeth, Eleanor, Elena and Helen. Ellen was the 609th most popular name in the U.S. and the 17th in Sweden in 2004. People named Ellen include: * Ellen Adarna (born 1988), Filipino actress * Elle ...

'' as celebrity chef and TV host

Ayesha Curry Ayesha Disa Curry (née Alexander; born March 23, 1989) is a Canadian-American actress, cookbook author, and cooking television personality and the wife of basketball player Stephen Curry. After guest roles in several television shows and movies, ...

created mango cocktails for Ellen and

Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Joanna Aniston (born February 11, 1969) is an American actress and film producer. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Since her career ...

Cultural figures

Casa Dragones’ Blanco & Joven tequila featured on Oprah's Favorite Things list in 2014, 2017; and Casa Dragones Blanco mini was featured in 2018. In 2020 Casa Dragones Joven was featured in

Oprah Magazine ''O, The Oprah Magazine'', also known simply as ''O'', is an American monthly magazine founded by talk show host Oprah Winfrey and Hearst Communications. Overview It was first published on April 19, 2000. , its average paid circulation was ...

’s 20th Anniversary Edition O List, "20 items to celebrate 20 years!", and Casa Dragones as a company was featured in "Oprah Magazine Presents 15 Small Businesses You Can Support Right Now". In 2020,

Lily Aldridge Lily Maud Aldridge (born November 15, 1985) is an American model best known for being a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2010 until 2018. She also appeared in the ''Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue'', alongside Chrissy Teigen and Nina Agdal, for th ...

added drinking Casa Dragones Joven to the list of things she was doing to stay sane, in the

article 'Lily Aldridge Shares the 7 Ways She's Staying Sane at Home". Casa Dragones Blanco was featured as the main ingredient for Martha Stewart's favorite Pomegranate Margarita. Casa Dragones was served at the '' Vanity Fair''

Oscars The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

After Party, 2018.

Martha Stewart Martha Helen Stewart (, ; born August 3, 1941) is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing pu ...

selected Casa Dragones Joven as one of Martha's Finds on 17 December 2009. Ryan Seacrest listed Casa Dragones in his 2017 "multi-tasking must-haves", and gave away Casa Dragones at the

Grammys The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

. Casa Dragones has received praise from the culinary world, including, but not limited to: Chef

Scott Conant Scott Conant (born February 19, 1971) is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author. Since 2009, Conant has been a judge on the reality cooking television series '' Chopped''. He has published four cookbooks. Early life Conan ...

, Chef

Eric Ripert The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...

, Chef

Bobby Flay Robert William Flay (born December 10, 1964), is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and reality television personality. Flay is the owner and executive chef of several restaurants and franchises, including Bobby's Burger Palace, Bobby's ...

, Chef

Enrique Olvera Enrique Olvera (born 1976) is a Mexican chef. He is the owner and head chef of Pujol, a Mexican haute cuisine restaurant in Mexico City, which is currently ranked 9th in the world according to the 2021 annual The World's 50 Best Restaurants li ...

, Chef

Thomas Keller Thomas Aloysius Keller (born October 14, 1955) is an American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author. He and his landmark Napa Valley restaurant, The French Laundry in Yountville, California, have won multiple awards from the James Beard Foun ...

, Chef Martin Berasategui and Chef Daniela Soto-Innes. Acclaimed bartenders and drinks experts such as Yana Volfson, Adrian Evans and Sandra Fernandez have also commended Casa Dragones Tequila. Other celebrities including musician Dr. Dre, actor Jonah Hill & director Martin Scorsese, actor Chris Pratt, model Lilly-Rose Depp, Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington and artist Spencer Tunick have also displayed their affinity for Casa Dragones’ tequila.

Collaborations

Casa Dragones announced an exclusive collaboration with TANE honoring September 16 and Mexican Independence. 16 sets were created in this collaboration. Each set comes with custom-crafted silver and obsidian coasters, silver tray, pepita engraved tequila glasses, silver glass identifiers, a silver bottle holder and top, and comes in a leather box. The second edition of this limited set was released in 2019, and it featured a newly designed leather case, unique engravings of the silver bottle holder and top, crafted silver and obsidian coasters, silver tray, pepita engraved tequila glasses, and silver glass identifiers. Artist Pedro Reyes collaborated with Casa Dragones in 2016. Exploring the traditional technique of Pepita glass engraving, Reyes featured an etching of his sculpture, "Epircuro" - 400 bottles were created. For the debut of Danh Vo's Slip of the Tongue exhibition at Punta Della Dogana Venice in 2015, the featured artist and curator transformed the signature Casa Dragones Joven bottle into a limited collection of 150 Special Edition Punta Della Dogana 2015 bottles. A second installment was exhibited at the Venice Biennale's 2015 Danish Pavilion, where an edition of 666 bottles were incorporated and sold. In 2012, Casa Dragones announced a special edition collaboration with Artist

Gabriel Orozco Gabriel Orozco (born April 27, 1962) is a Mexican artist. He gained his reputation in the early 1990s with his exploration of drawing, photography, sculpture and installation. In 1998, Francesco Bonami called Orozco "one of the most influentia ...

in honor of his mid life retrospective.

References

{{Alcoholic drinks Tequila Mexican alcoholic drinks Alcoholic drink brands Mexican brands Distilleries Drink companies of Mexico