RED FLAG TEQUILAS

Celebrity Backer: Travis Scott

A class action lawsuit filed in August 2025 alleges that Cincoro Tequila may not be as pure as advertised. Despite labeling its products “100% de Agave,” lab tests reportedly found ethanol not derived from Blue Weber agave, which violates both U.S. and Mexican tequila standards. If true, this would mean the tequila is adulterated and not legally compliant with “100% agave” claims—raising serious concerns for purists and professionals in the tequila industry.

Celebrity Backer: Kendall Jenner

Both of Kendall Jenner's Tequilas suffer from  cultural appropriation, authenticity concerns, taste profile from artificial sweeteners, and failing to credit local agave farmers,  raising concerns about its authenticity and sourcing.  818 is often criticized for being too safe, too sweet, and too celebrity‑driven. While Eight Reserve is seen as expensive, flashy, and more about image than innovation.

Celebrity Backer: LeBron James

Consumers find Lobos 1707 Tequilas disappointing due to its high price for the perceived quality, a strong  influence from its Pedro Ximénez (PX) cask finish, and what some  describe as a sweet, artificial, or even "funky" flavor profile that  overshadows the traditional agave notes.  

Celebrity Backer: Nick Jonas & John Varvatos

Villa One is considered "bad" primarily  because of a lack of complexity in its flavor and aroma, with some  reviews describing it as disappointingly faint or bland. It  is also criticized for being a celebrity-backed brand with a  mass-produced profile, marketed heavily by individuals without prior  spirits industry experience.  

Celebrity Backer: George Clooney & Rande Gerber

Casamigos is considered  "bad" by many due to its overly sweet, artificial taste and marketing  hype rather than its actual quality as a spirit, though a recent  class-action lawsuit alleges it is falsely labeled as "100% agave" when  it allegedly contains significant non-agave alcohol. Critics also cite its lack of complexity and high price for what they perceive as an inferior product.

Celebrity Backer: Thomas Rhett

Dos  Primos Tequilas are considered "bad" by some enthusiasts not because of a  single controversy, but due to issues surrounding its celebrity association, the use of additives, and a flavor profile that some find unbalanced.

Celebrity Backer: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson 

Has been called out by some  for potential issues with the brand's production, including allegations  of using diffusers to extract sugars from the agave rather than cooking  it, which is a less traditional method .

Celebrity Backer: Megan Thee Stallion 

The product, launched in February 2025, has received criticism typically focused on its flavor profile and the high price point. Consumers have complained of a harsh or strong taste in the Blanco, comparing it to lower priced brands such as Jose Cuervo 1800. 

Celebrity Backer: Sean Combs and Mega Brand Company Diageo

Although not considered a "bad" tequila, some reviews criticized its flavor profile for featuring petroleum notes, astringency, and for being overly sweet with  limited agave character, especially for the price point.

Celebrity Backer: George Strait 

This tequila draws mixed reactions, but many agave purists take issue with its departure from classic tequila character. They argue that the pronounced wine‑barrel influence imparts a sweetness and depth more reminiscent of whiskey or bourbon, overshadowing the bright, earthy aromas and flavors of the agave itself.

Celebrity Backer: Kevin Hart

Reviewers have been unimpressed with this tequila, describing it as overly sweet with an artificial vanilla profile, a pronounced charred aroma, and minimal agave character. The tequila is made at the Jose Cuervo distillery. This explains everything. We all know Jose Cuervo is garbage!

Celebrity Backer: Michael Jordon & Other NBA Owners

When will celebrities get the memo? This tequila has earned a polarized reputation among enthusiasts. Marketed as a high‑end luxury spirit in eye‑catching bottles, it falls short for agave purists. Reviewers frequently describe it as overly sweet, sometimes with an artificial edge and note that the Reposado and Añejo expressions, in particular, lose much of their agave character under the weight of heavy barrel influence.

Celebrity Backer:  Mark Wahlberg

Marky Mark and the Funky Flop.  Because what the tequila world really needed was another celebrity vanity project, right? Flecha Azul loves to market itself as “authentic” and “traditional.” Cute. Except the juice in the bottle tastes suspiciously like it’s been run through a cotton candy machine. Additive‑free? Not certified. Natural agave character? Buried under a syrupy sweetness that makes you wonder if the NOM should come with a side of Splenda packets. 

Celebrity Backer:  Adam Levine (of Maroon 5) and his wife Behati Prinsloo

Another celebrity backed tequila that shouldn't be on the market. Aged in California wine barrels which gives the tequila a pink hue.  Reviewers noted that the agave presence is dialed down, which can disappoint purists who expect bold agave flavors. It has also been described as “cotton candy and brown sugar” heavy, with sweetness dominating over complexity. Other issues are possible additives, and a tannic/bitter finish.

Currently being sued. See The Lawsuit.

Currently being sued. See The Lawsuit.

They claim to be 100% organic and additive free. But the certification comes from USDA, which is not a recognized as an authoritative, certification agency for tequila. What you are paying for is the fancy bottle. Stay away from this tequila.

After much pressure to review this tequila because of its great price, we did, and were we sorry we did. If you like smelling ethanol and tasting artificial additives, this is the tequila for you.  Again, stay far away from Kirkland branded tequilas. There is a reason it's so cheap. Because it's crap!

Probably the most infamous. It’s a mixto (only 51% agave, the rest sugars), often described as harsh, overly sweet, and hangover‑inducing. Jose Cuervo tequilas do not meet the additive free certification. It Is labeled as a "mixto." 

Entry‑level Sauza tequilas are often called thin, metallic, and lacking agave character. These do not meet the additive free certification. Is labeled as a "mixto."

Known for its rock‑bottom price and equally rough burn; often used in low‑end bars for cheap margaritas.

Cheap, widely available, but criticized for a foul smell, rough taste, and unpleasant finish.

Another mixto with a reputation for being overly sweet, artificial, and headache‑prone.

A budget brand that gets slammed for being harsh and one‑dimensional.

Many, if not most are "mixtos," meaning they are not made from 100% agave, which  can contribute to poor taste and hangover.

These tequilas use agave diffusers  to extract sugars, a method that is more efficient but results in a  lower-quality, less authentic tequila. 

The resulting product often has an artificial sweetness and a harsh, unpleasant alcohol profile that can be off-putting.

Reviews mention chemical-like tastes, bitterness, and a lingering, sometimes medicinal or solvent-like flavor.

The finish is often described as bitter or harsh, and the mixto nature of the tequila can lead to a bad hangovers.