IN THE NEWS
Tito's Vodka Acquires Majority Stake in LALO Tequila
Published: September 23, 2025
Tito's Handmade Vodka, the brand behind Texas' first legal distillery and the award-winning vodka, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the majority stake in LALO Tequila, one of the fastest-growing tequila brands in the United States.
Co-founded by Eduardo "Lalo" González, David "R" Carballido, and Jim McDermott, LALO honors three generations of tequila-making tradition to create a spirit that's refreshingly modern. Using only three ingredients – fully mature Highland agave, deep well water from Jalisco's mineral-rich soil, and champagne yeast selected for its harmonious flavor profile – LALO has crafted a blanco tequila with a clean, distinctive flavor that's quickly winning fans across the country.
"At Tito's, we've always said if you're going to do something, do it well," said Tito Beveridge, founder of Tito's Handmade Vodka. "I've known the LALO founders for a long time. They care about the juice. They keep it simple. They do things the right way, not the flashy way. That felt like home to us."
The newly formed relationship with LALO will provide the tequila brand with strategic sales support and access to an expanded distribution network to accelerate its scale from a local name to one with global reach. "Lalo" González will continue to steward the brand's production, carrying on his family's legacy and the tequila's integrity for generations to come.
"My late father is the namesake of this brand, and I know he would be proud to see how far we've come," said González. "This moment is a natural continuation of our journey, and we're excited to introduce LALO to more people across the world while preserving every element that makes us special."
LALO has rapidly built a loyal following for its clean, unadulterated flavor and has emulated the Tito's ethos of resisting industry trends of taking shortcuts. Much like Tito's early days in Austin, the brand has grown organically through word-of-mouth, earning its place on the shelves and backbars across the country by winning fans over with its exceptional liquid and distinct identity.
"Tito has been a close friend in Austin for years and has deeply influenced the way we approach what we do. Our two companies are stronger together and we're excited to continue this journey with the full support of a company that understands what it means to grow with a singular focus," said Jim McDermott.
"This partnership gives us the chance to share the beauty of Mexico with the world, inviting more people to experience our country while staying true to our living Mexican legacy," added David Carballido.
This is the first strategic acquisition in the history of Tito's Handmade Vodka and represents a different type of spirits partnership – entrenched in mutual respect and structured to allow both companies to stay focused on what they do best: making exceptional products.
PJT Partners served as financial advisor and DLA Piper served as legal advisor to Tito's. Perella Weinberg served as financial advisor and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as legal advisor to LALO Tequila.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals, and is anticipated to close in the near future.
SOURCE Tito's Handmade Vodka
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Travis Scott’s Cincoro Tequila Hit with Class-action Lawsuit
Published: August 27, 2025
In August 2025, Cincoro Tequila was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging false advertising and adulteration of its “100% agave” claim. Lab tests reportedly found ethanol not derived from Blue Weber agave, violating tequila purity standards.
Case Overview
- Filed: August 27, 2025
- Court: U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- Plaintiff: Nabil Haschemie, a Florida resident
- Defendant: Cinco Spirits Group, LLC (Cincoro’s parent company)
- Legal Basis: Violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment
Key Allegations
- •Mislabeling: Cincoro bottles are labeled “100% de Agave,” but lab testing allegedly revealed material amounts of ethanol not derived from Blue Weber agave.
- Adulteration Method: The plaintiff commissioned Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing, which uses carbon isotope ratio analysis to determine the plant origin of ethanol. Results suggested the presence of cane alcohol, not agave-derived ethanol.
- Consumer Deception: Haschemie claims he purchased Cincoro Blanco based on its advertised purity. He argues that consumers would not pay premium prices—ranging from $89.99 to $1,724.99 per bottle—if they knew the product was adulterated.
Industry Implications
- The lawsuit echoes broader concerns in the tequila industry about cane alcohol adulteration, especially during periods of high agave prices.
- A spokesperson for the Mexican Agave Council noted that “large Tequila companies began mixing cane alcohol into Tequila that they sold as 100% agave”—a practice that allegedly continues.
- The case could set a precedent for greater transparency and enforcement in tequila labeling and production.
Fortaleza Tequila Making a Big Splash
Published: August 1, 2025
Fortaleza Rises as Global Symbol of Tequila Authenticity
Jalisco, Mexico — For decades, the romance of traditionally made tequila has been woven into the industry’s marketing — scenes of jimadors harvesting agaves beneath the sun‑drenched fields of Jalisco, and master tequileros patiently tending copper stills. Few producers embody that heritage as faithfully as Tequila Fortaleza.
In a sector often criticized for questionable production methods and high‑profile celebrity endorsements, Fortaleza’s commitment to additive‑free craftsmanship has set it apart. The brand’s authenticity has fueled a surge in global demand, with bottles now considered prized finds among collectors and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
On social media, tequila forums and bartender circles, Fortaleza’s signature labels frequently appear in proud “bottle shots.” But this rising prestige has come with scarcity. Once a quiet favorite among aficionados, the brand has become one of the most highly allocated agave spirits on the market — eclipsing other additive‑free tequilas in both desirability and difficulty to acquire.
Industry observers note that Fortaleza’s meteoric rise reflects a broader consumer shift toward transparency and tradition. For tequila lovers, however, the challenge remains the same: finding a bottle before it disappears from the shelf.
To learn more about Tequila Fortaleza, vist their website at www.tequilafortaleza.com
Two new lawsuits filed against Diageo amid tequila adulteration claims
Published: August 13, 2025
Two new class action lawsuits have been filed against Diageo North America, accusing the global spirits giant of misleading consumers by branding Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas as “100% agave” despite evidence to the contrary.
The suits—filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and San Francisco, California—were brought by customers who claim they would have paid less for, or not purchased, the products had they, as one Florida complaint states, “known the truth of the ingredients.”
These suits follow a similar case lodged in New York in May. The California filing is notable for being a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) class action, a designation typically reserved for organized crime, which can lead to triple damages. It’s also the first of the three lawsuits to incorporate laboratory test results of four Diageo products.
According to the complaint, testing found:
- Casamigos Blanco: approx. 33% ethanol from agave
- Casamigos Reposado: approx. 42% ethanol from agave
- Don Julio 1942 Blanco: approx. 42% ethanol from agave
- Don Julio 1942 Añejo: approx. 33% ethanol from agave
If true, these numbers would undercut the very definition of “100% agave” enshrined in tequila standards—standards meant to protect both the craft and the consumer.
Both the Florida and California suits have demanded jury trials. Following the initial class action complaint, Diageo strongly refuted the claims. A statement from the North American subsidiary of the group said: “These claims are meritless, and we plan to vigorously defend ourselves in court.”
Why it matters: For drinkers, this is about transparency and truth in labeling. For the industry, it’s about preserving the integrity of a category rooted in tradition, terroir, and trust. Misrepresentation erodes that foundation and misleads the very people fueling tequila’s global rise.
