Current Ownership of 1800 Tequila
1800 Tequila is currently owned by the spirits company Brown-Forman, which acquired the brand through its purchase of the tequila portfolio from Constellation Brands via a deal reported by Forbes. The transaction closed in early 2020, and Brown-Forman now manages 1800 Tequila as part of its global spirits division alongside brands such as Jack Daniel's and Finlandia Vodka.
The 1800 Tequila brand portfolio includes multiple product lines, such as 1800 Silver, 1800 Reposado, 1800 Añejo, and the limited-edition 1800 Colección, all produced at distilleries in the Tequila region of Jalisco, Mexico. Brown-Forman leverages its existing distribution networks in North America, Europe, and Asia to market and sell 1800 Tequila globally.
History of the 1800 Tequila Brand
1800 Tequila was originally created in 2004 by the Mexican distillery Grupo Industrial 1800, with the brand name referencing the year 1800 as a nod to the history of tequila production. The brand was later acquired by Constellation Brands, which expanded its international distribution before selling the portfolio to Brown-Forman in 2020.
Key Milestones in Brand Development
Under Constellation Brands, 1800 Tequila gained significant visibility through sponsorships and limited releases, while maintaining its focus on 100% blue agave tequila produced in Jalisco. After the acquisition by Brown-Forman, the brand continued to expand its product line and market presence, with new expressions and packaging aimed at both on-premise and off-premise channels.
Brown-Forman and the Spirits Industry
Brown-Forman is a publicly traded spirits company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BF.A and BF.B, with annual revenues exceeding several billion dollars across its portfolio of premium and super-premium brands. The company's acquisition of 1800 Tequila was part of a broader strategy to strengthen its position in the fast-growing tequila category, which has seen double-digit volume growth in recent years.
The tequila market has attracted significant investment from major spirits companies, with brands such as Patrón, Don Julio, and Casamigos also owned by large corporations like Bacardi, Beam Suntory, and Diageo. Brown-Forman's ownership of 1800 Tequila places it among the leading corporate players in this segment, competing for market share in both the United States and international markets where premium and super-premium tequila demand continues to rise.