kendall 818 tequila (Is it good?)

I'm always on the lookout for unique and quality tequilas to enjoy. Recently, I came across 818 Tequila, the brand launched by model and media personality Kendall Jenner. Naturally, I was curious to try it out and see if it lived up to the hype. In this review, I'll share my first-hand experience drinking 818 Tequila and give you an honest assessment of whether it's actually any good.

A Look at 818 Tequila

818 Tequila is produced in Jalisco, Mexico - the heart of tequila country. Kendall Jenner partnered with tequila experts to carefully craft the liquor using the traditional method of oven-baking blue weber agave in stone pits. This slow-cooking process is said to give 818 Tequila its smooth taste.

The brand currently offers theree varieties - a Blanco tequila , an Anejo tequila and  a Reposado tequila aged for 15 months in American oak barrels. The Blanco spends zero time aging, allowing the natural agave flavors to shine through brightly. Meanwhile, the extra time in wood for the Anejo lends it a darker color and notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Both varieties have an 80-proof alcohol content.

Kendall Jenner's involvement in 818 Tequila seems to go beyond just branding or marketing. According to reports, she was intimately involved in taste testing and crafting the liquid. The name "818" also has personal significance as it's Kendall's hometown area code in California. This gives the impression that 818 Tequila is a passion project, not just a quick cash grab.

My Experience Tasting the 818 Tequila Blanco

For my first taste, I went with the 818 Tequila Blanco since it's the purest expression of the agave. I poured a few fingers into a rocks glass filled with ice and gave it a good swirl. On the nose, scents of freshly-cut pineapple, lime zest, and mild grassiness jumped out right away - a very promising sign!

The first sip was incredibly smooth, almost creamy, despite having no oak aging. Sweet notes of sugarcane and green apple danced across my palate followed by a touch of peppery spice. However, the 50% agave taste never overwhelmed and remained extremely well-balanced. The finish was clean and fairly dry with just a hint of lingering agave.

As I continued enjoying it on the rocks, I noticed qualities that spoke to the careful production process. There was an almost buttery mouthfeel and a smooth integration of flavors that didn't smack you over the head. Even late into the bottle, the tequila retained its balance and drinkability. Needless to say, I was thoroughly impressed! The Blanco showed real care, craftsmanship, and poise for its price point.

Thoughts on the 818 Tequila Anejo

Naturally, after being so satisfied by the Blanco, I had to try the 818 Tequila Anejo aged variant next. Following the same tasting routine of an ice-filled rocks glass, I took my first sip. Right away, I detected richer aromas of caramel, cereal grains, and oak moss on the nose compared to the Blanco.

Flavor-wise, it lead with subtle notes of raisin and toasted nuts followed by a rounder agave presence. The extra aging time seemed to tame some of the grassy, citrus elements while allowing layers of toasted coconut, cinnamon and vanilla to develop. These bursts of flavor played nicely against the oak backdrop. And like the Blanco, the Anejo retained a refined silkiness throughout.

At 15 months in the barrel, 818 Tequila still maintained integrity as an agave spirits without coming across over-oaked or overly woody. I found it to be a very food-friendly spirit that would pair wonderfully in cocktails too. If sipping neat, a small ice ball or rocks is ideal to let those layers shine through gradually. Simply put - this is a very well-executed Anejo at an approachable price.

818 Reposado Tequila by Kendall Jenner

Like the rest of the 818 Tequila lineup, this reposado expression is produced in Jalisco, Mexico using traditional methods. It's made from 100% blue weber agave that is slowly oven-baked in small batches. After distillation, the reposado tequila is aged for around 7 months in ex-bourbon barrels. This imparts a light golden hue and some subtle oak notes, while still allowing the agave flavors to take center stage.

Kendall Jenner was hands-on in crafting this reposado, working closely with her tequila experts. The 818 brand name is a nod to her Southern California roots. The reposado has an 80 proof alcohol content, aiming for smoothness and balance. It's positioned as an affordable luxury tequila, typically retailing for $55-60 per bottle.

Tasting the 818 Reposado Tequila

I cracked open a fresh bottle of 818 Reposado to evaluate it properly. Right away on the nose, I picked up gentle aromas of sweet vanilla, hints of orchard fruit, and a touch of baking spice. Taking my first sip, it glided over the palate with a pleasing velvety mouthfeel.

Upfront, soft notes of butterscotch and apple greeted me, followed by a mellow pepper tingle. The 7 months in oak barrels seemed to mellow out the grassy agave edges, while adding lovely nuances of cinnamon, nutmeg, and light smoke. Overall the flavor profile came across very balanced and refined. The finish was smooth with a subtle oak dryness.

As I continued to sip it, the reposado maintained its complexity from start to finish without any harsh burn. It's definitely an easy-drinking spirit, but with some real craftsmanship behind it. I could see this reposado shining in cocktails, or enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

Is 818 Reposado Worth Trying?

Based on my first experience tasting 818 Reposado Tequila, I would say this is a quality reposado that over-delivers at its price point. The aging adds lovely depth without overpowering the core agave flavor. Kendall Jenner's team has crafted a smooth, nuanced reposado that can appeal to both tequila veterans and newcomers.

At around $55 a bottle, 818 Reposado competes with more premium tequila brands favorably. It avoids coming across as a cheap celebrity-endorsed spirit. I sincerely appreciate the care that went into producing this reposado. The flavor profile shows real poise and sophistication.

Is 818 Tequila Worth It?

After sampling both the Blanco and Anejo expressions of 818 Tequila, I can confidently say that Kendall Jenner and her team have crafted a quality product here. While some may be initially skeptical due to its celebrity association, the liquid itself holds up against more established tequila brands.

Perhaps most importantly, 818 Tequila delivers flavor complexity, balance and drinkability at a mid-range price - around $48-$60 per bottle depending on where you shop. This makes it quite accessible for tequila enthusiasts or novices to enjoy neat or in mixed drinks. Both varieties showed good sophistication for their age categories as well.

Personally, I'll be keeping a bottle of 818 Tequila's Blanco and Anejo in my home bar from now on. When friends come over, I'll happily share pours knowing they'll appreciate it too. All things considered, 818 Tequila delivers more than enough bang for your buck and satisfies beyond just hype. Kendall Jenner and her team deserve real kudos for delivering high quality from the start. For those of you curious to check it out, I recommend you pour yourself a glass - you likely won't be disappointed. Salud!