Kendall Jenner is taking a shot at the liquor world.
The A-list model, 25, used Instagram to reveal she’s been working on her own brand of tequila on Tuesday.
She shared video and photos of her tasting sessions, while opening up about her four-year journey developing the spirit – 818 Tequila.
Cheers: Kendall Jenner revealed she have been developing her own tequila brand called 818 over the past four years
Kendall sat and sipped in the first clip, comparing two blends as she wrote: ‘For almost 4 years I’ve been on a journey to create the best tasting tequila. ‘
The good stuff: ‘After dozens of blind taste tests, trips to our distillery, entering into world tasting competitions anonymously and WINNING..3.5 years later i think we’ve done it!’
‘After dozens of blind taste tests, trips to our distillery, entering into world tasting competitions anonymously and WINNING..3.5 years later i think we’ve done it!
‘This is all we’ve been drinking for the last year and i can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this to enjoy it as much as we do!’
Kendall’s friends seemed to love the drink, as she shared another video of a group cheering as she brought in a fresh bottle.
Proving it was a hit, the next snap showed a table covered with empty cups.
Even famously drink-free sister Kim Kardashian raved about 818 in the comments, telling Kendall: ‘So proud of you! I wasn’t a drinker until I tried 818. Tequila shots all day!!!’
Mom Kris Jenner said she was ‘so so proud’ of her girl, and ‘the years of work and love’ she’s put into the project.
Fans began speculating that the stars were getting involved in the spirit world when a bottle of 818 was spotted in the background of a photo from the Jenner sister’s recent trip to Mexico with bestie Anastasia ‘Stassie’ Karanikolaou.
And Kylie seemed to hint at the possibility of a private label on Instagram Live in April 2020, holding up a glass and telling watchers: ‘By the way, we’re on some new sh**.’
Parental pride: Mom Kris Jenner said she was ‘so so proud’ of her girl, and ‘the years of work and love’ she’s put into the project
Top self: Even famously drink-free sister Kim Kardashian raved about 818 in the comments, telling Kendall ‘So proud of you! I wasn’t a drinker until I tried 818. Tequila shots all day!!!’ Kylie was also a fan
Bottle service: Fans began speculating that Jenner, 25, was getting involved in the spirit world when a bottle of 818 was spotted in the background of a photo from the her recent trip to Mexico with bestie Anastasia ‘Stassie’ Karanikolaou
New sector: Journalist Yashir Ali vouched for the rumors on Twitter last week, writing: ‘There’s been speculation on TikTok that a Tequila called “818” was founded by @KendallJenner …I’m told that’s true. That would take her family into a new sector’
‘This is what we’ve really been drinking, but we’re not allowed to tell anybody. So just stay tuned.’
Journalist Yashir Ali vouched for the rumors on Twitter last week, writing: ‘There’s been speculation on TikTok that a Tequila called “818” was founded by @KendallJenner …I’m told that’s true. That would take her family into a new sector.
‘A search shows “818” has been quietly entering and winning contests while keeping its founder’s name off entries.’
He then included a clip from one of the top contests, Ultimate Spirits Challenge, which read: ‘Before we dive into the list, we should mention that this rundown doesn’t include the highest-scoring Añejo, 818.’
‘Winner of the USC’s highest honor, the Chairman’s Trophy, 818 isn’t available to purchase in the states and has absolutely no online presence.
But now Kendall’s post confirms tasty news.
818’s name is inspired by the area code of the Kardashian/Jenner family’s hometown of Calabasas.
While Kendall is a California girl through and through, 818 boasts authentic roots, hand-crafted in Jalisco, Mexico – the birthplace of tequila.
Yum: ‘This is all we’ve been drinking for the last year and i can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this to enjoy it as much as we do!’ the model wrote in the caption
A hit: Empty glasses made it clear that the spirit was a hit
The drink has also been vetted by some of the most revered organizations in liquor, earning awards from the World Tequila Awards, the SIP Awards and the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, among others.
818 appears to come in a Blanco, Añejo and Reposado varieties.
According to drink site Spirited Zine, the award-winning Reposado is described as having: ‘An earthy nose which hints at pecan pie, sweet potato and caramel. A sweet and smoky body with some oaky influence, vanilla, and more sweetness on the finish as cinnamon ice cream comes through.’
But not everyone was thrilled about Miss Jenner’s new venture.
Many called out Kendall for co-opting the work of Mexican artisans with one Twitter user writing: ‘I wish white celebs would stop going into Mexico, taking the work of local artisans and Mexican tradition, and making themselves even more hopelessly rich off of our traditions. But whatever.’
Problematic: There was a surge of criticism online
Cha-ching! Still, others were begging for pre-orders while one fan tweeted a picture of the Spongebob character Squidward showering in money and wrote: ‘Kendall Jenner taking a bath in her tequila’
Another user echoed the sentiment, tweeting: ‘Tired of the celebrity tequila craze! WTF does @KendallJenner know about tequila my family’s been doing back breaking work in the fields for their entire lives in Jalisco just for ppl to come dip their toes Face with rolling eyes stay in your lane.’
‘Kendall Jenner releasing a tequila is the last thing this pandemic needed,’ shared another.
‘Am I the only one that finds it an eye roll that Kendall Jenner is coming out with her own tequila.. from jalisco, Mex.,’ one more remarked.
Referring to the Kardashian/Jenner family’s history of cultural appropriation, someone wrote: ‘Kendall Jenner coming out with her own tequila brand… what’s next on the Kardashian/Jenner colonization list?’
Still, others were begging for pre-orders while one fan tweeted a picture of the Spongebob character Squidward showering in money and wrote: ‘Kendall Jenner taking a bath in her tequila.’
Classic trio: 818 appears to come in a Blanco, Añejo and Reposado varieties
Authentic: While Kendall is a California girl through and through, 818 boasts authentic roots, hand-crafted in Jalisco, Mexico – the birthplace of tequila
Kendall is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow celebrity alcohol moguls like George Clooney, Ryan Reynolds and Diddy.
Last summer Diageo, the world’s largest spirits maker, snapped up Aviation American Gin, co-owned by Reynolds, in a deal worth up to $610million.
Diageo picked up George Clooney’s Casamigos tequila, which he owns with restaurateur Rande Gerber and business partner Mike Meldman for $700million in 2017.
Sweetening that pot, the trio was promised an extra $300million based on subsequent sales numbers.
Diddy’s popular premium vodka Ciroc is a club favorite, earning him a reported eight-figures a month salary.
Big money: Kendall is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow celebrity alcohol moguls like George Clooney, Ryan Reynolds and Diddy, all of whom have made nine-figure numbers from their spirit ventures
