George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s annual Casamigos Halloween party has become Hollywood’s biggest bash, with guests from Leo DiCaprio and … Casamigos. But if any label deserves a big-screen release, it’s George Clooney’s Casamigos. There were a few very good ones, but there was always something we wished we could change "We’ll still be very much a part of Casamigos.". "From then on it gained momentum. A spokesperson for Diageo also said on Thursday that it's "too early" to release financial results for the brand, which is currently sold in 37 countries including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Spain, Italy, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. It’s kind of a tradition. since. The sale just made Clooney … The three founders: Mike Meldman, George Clooney, and Rande Gerber. "It's been a fun thing for us to do.". Casamigos told Business Insider it more than doubled its volume again in 2016, although Gerber, who works full-time running Casamigos, declined to provide exact sales figures and would not discuss the company's earnings. "But we’re not going anywhere," George Clooney says in a statement. ", Casamigos is aged and barrelled in Mexico. Diageo agreed to pay $700 million initially, with the potential of another $300 million based on the tequila's performance over 10 years, according to CNBC. "George is very involved in the business. We’ll still be very much a part of Casamigos. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. The two have been so passionate about the brand that they even celebrated their birthdays in May with a cake made in their likeness, courtesy of Amal Clooney. Without even realising, Gerber said he and Clooney were bringing in about 1,000 bottles, and were told by the distiller that they needed to get licensed. If you have a great master distiller, they have this palette and sense of smell and taste that has almost been passed down from generation to generation," he said. We wanted everyone to be able to drink it and not be exclusive.". They use a simple stick-on label on an unfussy bottle, with a plain cork to seal it. "He was spending three months in New York, and every night we would hang out at the bar and we became great friends.". Casamigos was co-founded by George Clooney and Rande Gerber. He's in LA this week, and he’ll be in the office when he’s here to go over ideas. But we're not going anywhere. RELATED: George Clooney & Rande Gerber’s Orange Cinnamon Margarita Tastes Just Like Summer, “We created Casamigos Tequila 4 years ago for us to drink personally and selling it for 1 billion dollars is something we never could have imagined,” Gerber said in a statement to PEOPLE. Who knows what idea their next abodes will inspire. Want the ultimate dish on the latest celebrity food news, plus exclusive recipes, videos and more? “One that we didn’t have to mix — typically we drink it straight or on the rocks – that we could drink all day long and not be hungover in the morning.”, FROM PEN: Try Our Amazing Never Watered Down Bloody Mary. While the pair may claim they can drink it all day and not be hungover the next, it's probably not recommended for inexperienced tequila drinkers — the average bottle contains 40% alcohol. Casamigos. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. While the pair sold their homes in Mexico shortly before we spoke to Gerber, he said they were looking at building new ones in the same place. "The authenticity of everything that we've done, from making it ourselves to naming it, has been an extension of who we are and our lifestyle," Gerber said. He added: "We use old brick ovens, and the Blue Weber Agaves are grown for seven to nine years — it’s a long process.". $51.99 Add to Wish List In an email to CNBC at the time of the sale, Clooney said: "If you asked us four years ago if we had a billion dollar company, I don't think we would have said yes. Account active The group behind the new Casamigosbrand sure hopes so. Casamigos, Gerber added that Casamigos has been "incredible" growth in the UK, where beforehand it "wasn't that big of a thing. "There was a point where we all chose one, and it was ours. The brand is most noted for its founders, George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. It was purchased in June 2017 by Diageo for $700 million plus up to a further $300 million based on the brand's performance. “If you asked us four years ago if we had a billion dollar company, I don’t think we would have said yes,” says Clooney. Casamigos founders George Clooney and Rande Gerber are doing something special to celebrate Halloween this year, despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis. "We all contribute an equal amount. It also launched a mezcal in the US, Australia, UK, and Canada in February 2018, which comes in at $73 for 750ml. They had met nearly 30 years ago while George was shooting one of his first films in New York. Partly due to having George's name attached, the Casamigos brand "immediately took off" through word of mouth, according to Gerber. The company sold to Diageo for $1 billion (£79 million) in June 2017. George Clooney’s Tequila Company Sold for Up to $1 Billion George Clooney has reason to smile: Casamigos, the tequila brand he founded with his … The two would go on golf trips around the country with other friends — "It was called 'the Golf trip,' but we played maybe nine holes now and then" — which is where they met real estate guru Mike Meldman. Source: Rande Gerber/Instagram. ", Casamigos was the name of Clooney and Gerber's homes in Mexico. ", Gerber and Clooney still taste every batch. Our idea was to make the best-tasting, smoothest Tequila and … And their meal times often involved sipping tequila. Casamigos is a tequila company co-founded in 2013 by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. Starting with a shot tonight. George Clooney and Rande Gerber with Casamigos tequila producers. Subscriber ", Motorbike was the vehicle of choice for Clooney and Gerber in Mexico. “The transaction values Casamigos at up to $1 billion, with initial consideration set at $700 million and a further potential $300 million based on a performance linked earn-out over 10 years, reflecting the brand’s exceptional growth trajectory and upside potential,” reads the release. “We remain committed to our brand and look forward to our future with Diageo and continuing our work with our dedicated and passionate Casamigos team.”. "We want to be part of that process. George Clooney and Rande Gerber have turned out to be quite the tequila makers. "He took care of us and we developed a friendship through that, then we built our homes in Mexico in Mike's development. Añejo View Details. So we did.” Clooney and Gerber's houses sat beside each other on the piece of property, which was called Casamigos. “Our idea was to make the best-tasting, smoothest tequila around. "If you asked us four years ago if … Last June, they sold the … It's a great month to be George Clooney. Maybe two.”. Their robust añejo, aged for 14 months, shows intense aromas of toffee and vanilla. The refreshing taste of Jalisco, delivered straight to your office. Clooney helped start Casamigos Tequila back in 2013 with some rich friends. Some were good, some not so good, and some expensive. ", The brand doubled its volume of sales from 38,000 nine-litre cases in 2014 to 80,000 in 2015, according to Ad Age, which said it was part of a tequila "gold rush.". Even though I run the company, we all play our own role," Gerber said in March 2017. "We'd have a bunch of our friends there — breakfast at our place, lunch at his, dinner at ours. Not only did we know we had something great that we loved, but all of our friends loved it as well. “This reflects Diageo’s belief in our company and our belief in Diageo. Casamigos. Click here to subscribe to the People Food newsletter. "It ended up being almost two years and 700 samples later — it was perfect," Gerber said. "Even though Brits aren't known as tequila drinkers, a lot of whisky drinkers and vodka drinkers have switched to drinking Casamigos.". The brand was founded by George Clooney (yes, the actor George Clooney), Rande Gerber (a nightlife entrepreneur, known more as the significant other of supermodel Cindy Crawford) and property developer Michael Meldman. He added that the two also make sure they taste every batch. Two weeks ago, he became a father to twins. You'll get the latest updates on this topic in your browser notifications. ", "George and [his wife] Amal have a beautiful home in the UK now, and he wanted to make sure he could drink it there," Gerber said. "We always want to be the first or the second one to taste it. George Clooney and Cindy Crawford waking up in bed together and with various people, The celebrity pals started Casamigos in 2013 “by accident” after failing to find the perfect tequila on vacation in Mexico. "We started winning awards, which legitimises you," he said. Get push notifications with news, features and more. Reposado View Details. Casamigos. The much-loved tequila brand is … Maybe two.". It’s slightly delicate quality makes it a tequila that should be sipped neat or over the rocks, but it’s really too subtle and delicate to mix with. "It felt like one compound," Gerber said. On the rocks, by the shot, at times, straight from the bottle. We'll still be very much a part of Casamigos. “We’d go out to bars and restaurants and bartenders would recommend them. But we’re not going anywhere. ", Bottles were ordered, served, and drank at their homes in Casamigos, which fittingly means "House of Friends.". '", "We wanted one that didn't burn going down, that was super smooth, and had the right flavour profile. Casamigos, The ultra-premium small batch tequila is aged and barreled, Gerber said, while a master distiller "chooses the right moment to take it from the barrel to the bottle." Starting with a shot tonight. Clooney's salary bump is thanks to tequila. They did research, met with distillers, trialled samples, and did blind taste tests with their friends and family until they found a recipe with no burn at all. The duo began their tequila pilgrimage. It felt like one big house.". Find out what your cat is trying to tell you with a new cat app, Princess Diana died when Harry was just 12 years old, Engineer Creates App To Translate Your Cat, The Sweetest Photos of Princes Harry with Diana, Sean Connery's Cause of Death Revealed Weeks After He Dies at Age 90. In a statement to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Clooney confirmed that along with partner, real estate mogul Mike Meldman, the pair will sell the alcohol brand to the European beverage company Diageo for $1 billion. Text us for exclusive photos and videos, royal news, and way more. We’ve been a fan of the spirits coming out of Productos Finos de Agave. We love Casamigos on the rocks, by the shot and at times straight from the bottle. We'd go out to bars and restaurants and bartenders would recommend them. The company is named after the compound where Clooney and Gerber developed their vacation homes. There came a point where George turned to me and said, ‘Why don’t we create one that’s perfect for us?'”. The Casamigos Tequila Story . George Clooney is selling his tequila company Casamigos to Diageo for as much as $1 billion, the company said Wednesday. We open the bottle, toast, and take a sip. In 2016, Brooksbank was appointed as U.K. brand ambassador for Casamigos, a tequila company that was co-founded by Clooney and Cindy Crawford's husband Rande Gerber in 2013. The trio – who own neighbouring homes in Los Cabos in … “As you do in Mexico, we would drink a lot of tequila,” Gerber told Business Insider earlier this year. George Clooney and Rande Gerber hosted the Casamigos bash at the home of Mike Meldman, a developer and, of course, tequila tycoon. One that we didn't have to mix — typically we drink it straight or on the rocks — that we could drink all day long and not be hungover in the morning. Our idea was to create the best tasting, smoothest Tequila and Mezcal, that didn't have to be covered up with salt or lime. Diageo completes $1bn purchase of Clooney's Tequila Drinks giant Diageo has completed its US$1 billion acquisition of Tequila brand Casamigos, which was founded just four years ago by Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney and Rande Gerber. "George doesn’t need the money, I didn’t need it, Mike didn’t need it — it wasn’t the reason behind launching a tequila. Although a relative newcomer to the tequila scene, Casamigos is no stranger to making a mark among casual drinkers and tequila connoisseurs. George Clooney+ tequila. WATCH: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Twins! "Casamigos really started by accident as far as a company," he said. Gerber added that it's "not your typical tequila" as it is low in calories and made from 100% Blue Weber Agaves, which he says has helped it catch on with both men and women. The brand has won gold medals at the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, The Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition, and from The Beverage Testing Institute. Introducing ... PEOPLE's Products Worth the Hype, George Clooney & Rande Gerber’s Orange Cinnamon Margarita Tastes Just Like Summer. Casamigos Mezcal is the new spinoff of Casamigos Tequila. This story is a little different from simply tagging a celebrity face to a brand. Tequila-filled nights with friends is how Casamigos was born. The brand sells reposado, anejo, and blanco tequilas, which range from $20 to $115 online, depending on the size. Photograph: Diageo. Crafted using agave from the Jalisco Highlands, this Reposado has refined highly nuanced flavors, and as the founders put it “won't burn going down,” or “give you a hangover” in the morning. ", "It's always perfect. Everything is done in-house in offices in LA, were Rande is based, as well as New York and Arizona. By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Business Insider "A mutual friend connected us, saying we should play at one of Mike's golf courses," Gerber said. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Fee-only vs. commission financial advisor, one of the fastest-growing tequila brands in the world, made Clooney the highest-paid actor of 2018, In an email to CNBC at the time of the sale, who also happens to be the husband of supermodel Cindy Crawford, George Clooney made nearly twice as much as The Rock last year — and he has tequila to thank, The incredible life of multimillionaire Rande Gerber: George Clooney's business partner, Cindy Crawford's husband, and father to 2 budding supermodels. Mezcal View Details. George Clooney just sold his tequila business for up to $1 billion George Clooney is selling his tequila company to Diageo for as much as $1 billion, the company announced on Wednesday. "As you do in Mexico, we would drink a lot of tequila. Clooney came up with the tequila idea with Gerber — who also happens to be the husband of supermodel Cindy Crawford — while the two were spending time at their houses in Mexico. If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: George Clooney and Rande Gerber Sell Casamigos Tequila for $1 Billion. George Clooney is about to get even more rich. "He's wonderful at marketing, and caters to the high-end market," Gerber said. The flavours are well-balanced with subtle oak mingling with tropical fruit and sandalwood, leading to a finish of mild pepper and wispy smoke. WATCH: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Twins! Credit: "We have our master distiller, and he's so great that we know they're all consistent, but when a new batch comes out he'll send a bottle and George and I will taste it," Gerber said. The stories dominating banking, business, and big deals. Some were good, some not so good, and some expensive. Casamigos Tequila dubbed the House of Friends, brought to you by George Clooney & Rande Gerber. Like George Clooney, Casamigos Reposado Tequila is understated and refined. In June 2017, Casamigos Tequila was sold for $1 Billion USD ($700 million upfront and $300 million based … They met with a distributor in the US who wanted to get on board, and launched the tequila as "Casamigos" along with the help from their well-connected friend Meldman. Blanco View Details. This month marks his third anniversary as one of the richest men in America: the result of selling Casamigos, the premium tequila company he created with good friend George Clooney in … Casamigos started as an idea between Clooney and friend Rande Gerber while they were in Mexico. Drink Casamigos and wake up with Cindy Crawford, or as Cindy likes to say, drink Casamigos and wake up with George Clooney!’ George and I were on a never-ending search for the perfect tequila. They released a viral video campaignfeaturing Clooney, his girlfriend Stacy Keibler, Cindy Crawford, and her husband Rande Gerber, all falling into bed together after a night of drinking. We're in the latter category, so naturally we were interested in the new Casamigos tequila, produced to the specifications of George Clooney and his friend Rande Gerber… The celebrity pals started Casamigos in 2013 “by accident” after failing to find the perfect tequila … The actor and new father is selling Casamigos, the tequila company he owns with Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman… "What was really important for George and I was that we have the best tequila, but we make it affordable for everyone," he said. , A post shared by Casamigos Tequila (@casamigos) on Feb 21, 2017 at 1:49pm PSTFeb 21, 2017 at 1:49pm PST. Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? There came a point where George turned to me and said, 'Why don't we create one that's perfect for us? So we did. ", Casamigos is "an extension of who we are and our lifestyle," Gerber said. This reflects Diageo's belief in our company and our belief in Diageo. Do we have your attention yet? Diageo announced the news in a press release which reveals that the deal is expected to close in the second half of calendar 2017. George Clooney's success in the world of Hollywood is well known — as are his efforts in political activism and humanitarian work. Sign up for Insider Finance. Shortly before the Diageo sale, in March 2017, Casamigos co-founder and ex-bar and nightclub owner Rande Gerber told Business Insider that making money was never the reason for launching the brand. The Hollywood actor “ accidentally ” founded the tequila brand along with friends Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman … In case you did not pick it up yet, Casamigos is the tequila brand that is backed by George Clooney. That company is Casamigos, which sold to Diageo for $1 billion in June 2017 — a sale that just made Clooney the highest-paid actor of 2018, despite not appearing in a film. 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