From Lynchburg legends to country music lyrics, Tennessee has long been known for its whiskey. But did you know there’s a recent trend in tequila and mezcal, too?
Of course, to be officially classified as “tequila,” the agave-based spirit has to adhere to specific guidelines determined by the Mexican government, including production in designated regions of Mexico and blue agave harvested by hand — but that doesn’t mean Tennessee distillers can’t work their magic.
By sourcing agave from Mexico and strictly following the official standards, these six Nashville brands bring us locally produced (and authentic!) tequila and mezcal. Your margaritas just got SO much more exciting!
El Diamante del Cielo
Sporting the signature touch of Arturo Fuentes (who is affectionately known as the “Godfather of Tequila”), El Diamante del Cielo is a triple-distilled spirit that’s as authentic as it gets.
“Cielo Tequila embarked on its distillation journey back in 2000,” says Digital Marketing Manager Mia Bennett, “but it wasn’t until 15 years ago that it found its perfect home in Nashville, under the ownership of the spirited Robert Lipman.” Why Nashville, you ask? To bring a touch of Mexican culture to Music City’s F&B scene, of course.
The tequila itself is born from blue agave and free from additives, and each batch is meticulously crafted in Mexico, ensuring purity. “Our tequila profiles include Añejo, Reposado, and Blanco,” says Mia. “Cielo’s Añejo tequila is aged up to four years and boasts notes of caramel and grilled tropical fruits and finishes with a long wave of vanilla and oak … The Reposado contains a sweet honey and slightly floral scent with a spiced caramel taste. Finally, the Cielo Tequila Blanco is distilled three times from the piña. As the youngest tequila we offer, it finishes beautifully with notes of roasted red pepper, stone fruit, and freshly shelled nuts.”
Despite its recent introduction to the market, Mia says Cielo Tequila has swiftly ascended to global prominence, garnering accolades from institutions such as the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, the Beverage Tasting Institute, and the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Shadow
Sibling team Tiara and Teddy Jasper’s journey from Jalisco, Mexico, to building the Shadow Tequila brand in Nashville is one of resilience and ambition. Raised in a low-income household in Memphis, they learned the value of hard work early. Shadow Tequila, their brainchild, offers premium spirits and challenges industry norms as one of the few Black-owned tequila brands. They are making waves in the industry — both with their product and their emphasis on cultural diversity and inclusivity.
Shadow Tequila’s offerings include Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. The Blanco offers notes of pepper, honey, citrus, and herb, while the Reposado has caramel, vanilla, honey, and hints of oak. The Añejo offers a sweeter flavor profile with maple, vanilla, spice, and an oak finish. You can taste their tequila at Nashville favorites like Barrel Proof and Bag Lady’s Fry Joint.
Southbound
Ivey Childers has been a recipe developer and flavor profile enthusiast for years. “In my first career, I created 40 different cake flavor combinations, which led me to open a bakery in Nashville almost 17 years ago — IveyCake,” says Ivey. “During those years of running a busy bakery … I would come home from those long work days and create cocktail recipes, always with tequila.”
One thing led to another, and Ivey was inspired to venture into the world of agave. “I was experimenting with a new tequila brand almost every week, and I discovered that each bottle had a different profile. I analyzed how those different profiles affected the outcome of each cocktail. I also took note of how each bottle left me feeling the next morning. To sum it up, I never found one tequila brand I was excited about that checked all the boxes.”
That was the start of something special. After Ivey sold her bakery to new ownership in 2019, she began her search for a Mexico distillery that could create exactly what she had in mind: a “unique profile for premium mixing and stand-alone sipping.” Southbound even offers a little taste of home — the Reposado and Añejo are aged in Tennessee whiskey barrels.
Southbound offers three expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. Ivey says the tequila offers a unique profile of lowlands blue agave with a touch of the highlands blue agave region. “The lowlands region gives it earthy, herbaceous, complex pepper notes with just the right balance of highlands blue agave for the juicy citrus finish,” Ivey says.
TC CRAFT
Founded by brothers and proud Nashvillians Todd and Chad Bottorff, alongside master distiller Melly Barajas, TC CRAFT has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the spirits market, particularly in Nashville. The brand boasts an impressive collection of 16 medals from national taste competitions. As co-founder Todd puts it, “We like tequila. It’s fun. We wanted the best, so we decided to create the best.”
And so, TC CRAFT was born in 2017, rooted in the values of quality, tradition, and community. “We are from Nashville, grew up here, and as it says on the back of every bottle, [we make it] ‘for our friends.’ So, we started by sharing the tequila with our friends and grew from there,” Todd explains.
Each bottle is crafted using fully ripened agave, slow-roasted for a richer flavor profile. And let’s not forget about the team behind the magic — it’s the only all-female-produced tequila on the market.
Led by master distiller Melly Barajas, who says they’re using the traditional methods “like our grandparents did,” TC CRAFT is breaking industry barriers. From the Blanco to the Extra Añejo, TC CRAFT offers a range of selections, including an in-house margarita mix!
Cuestión Tequila
In the summer of 2009, while vacationing on the pristine shores of Playa del Carmen, Jason Fandrich encountered a taste of the tequila that would alter his career trajectory forever. Rather suddenly, the concept of Cuestión Tequila was on the horizon, and the inaugural shipment crossed the U.S. border in 2011.
Jason decided to anchor the brand in Nashville. “I decided to headquarter in Nashville because, one, that’s where I live, and two, if an amazing cigar company called CAO could launch out of Nashville, then so could a tequila company,” he tells us.
Cuestión Tequila offers a curated selection of meticulously crafted spirits, each bottle a testament to tradition, innovation, and authenticity. Their offerings include Tequila Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo “XO.” Though the spirit is only currently available in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama, its footprint is expanding. Negotiations are underway for broader distribution, and enthusiasts can look forward to finding it in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky, and California soon.
Un Momento
Like tequila, mezcal is agave-based, though the aging practices differ and mezcal is generally distilled in smaller batches using clay or copper pots. Known for its smoky flavor, mezcal is great for cocktails as with an orange, pineapple, or lime base.
Officially launching in February of 2024, Un Momento Mezcal is co-founded by friends Alex Valley and Sharan Kalva. “We both have a deep passion for celebrating the good moments in life and the artisanal craftsmanship of mezcal,” Alex tells us. “The idea for Un Momento came about from our desire to share the rich heritage and exceptional quality of mezcal with the world.”
Alex says the decision to establish the Un Momento headquarters in Nashville was an easy one. “Nashville is our home, and we are constantly inspired by the vibrant culture and thriving food and beverage scene here. Nashville’s diverse community and entrepreneurial spirit provided the perfect backdrop for us and Un Momento Mezcal. We are proud to be Tennessee’s first mezcal brand!”
Cheers!
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