Pantalones Tequila was founded by Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila Alves. Pantalones translates to “pants” in English—a name chosen to reflect a carefree, “no pants needed” approach to life. The brand emphasizes sustainability and organic farming, and it didn’t take long for it to gain traction. I mean… let’s be honest—celebrity tequila plus the McConaughey name? Of course it blew up.
That said, this isn’t just a famous face on a label. Pantalones has assembled a strong industry team, partnering with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for national distribution and working with industry veterans Andrew Chrisomalis and Guillaume Cuvelier to help shape the brand’s business strategy.
The strategy is working. Pantalones already has an undeniable presence on retail shelves and behind bars across the country. They’ve even gone full lifestyle brand—Pantalones is part of the Love Line Premium Liquors collection on Princess Cruise Lines, complete with a roaming Pantalones Organic Margarita cart on-deck. (Yes, really.)
The brand is also the official tequila partner of Austin FC soccer team and a sponsor of the Surfrider Foundation, supporting ocean and beach conservation. So… with all that said - is the tequila actually good?
This tequila is produced in the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico, in the town of Amatitán at NOM 1614 (Casa Valle Amate - formerly Tequila TAP). It’s made with 100% organic Blue Weber agave, cooked in a high-pressure autoclave, crushed using a roller mill, fermented in stainless steel tanks without fibers, and distilled in stainless steel stills with a copper coil. The tequila is aerated before bottling and comes in at 40% ABV. Everyone involved in the production of this Tequila wears pants!
On the nose, I picked up sweet cooked agave, cantaloupe, mango, a slightly vegetal wheatgrass note and a light anise. I personally enjoyed these aromas - they were inviting enough to pull me straight into my first sip.
On the palate, it opens with sweet agave, followed by light jalapeño, white pepper, a touch of alcohol, and a soft blend of basil and anise. The mouthfeel is silky and light, leading to a medium, lightly spicy and peppery finish.
Final thoughts: This is a pleasant tequila and a solid choice for cocktails. It wouldn’t be my first pick as a sipper, but it does its job well behind the bar. In my opinion, there are better-tasting tequilas at the same price point, but I certainly wouldn’t turn it down if offered. It’s approachable for new tequila drinkers while still being “doable” for more seasoned enthusiasts.
And while the brand encourages a no-pants lifestyle… I personally recommend keeping your pantalones on when sipping tequila. Salud!
NOM | 1614 |
|---|---|
Agave | Tequila Valley |
Cooking | Autoclave (high pressure) |
Extraction | Roller mill |
Water | Deep well water |
Fermentation | 100% agave, Stainless steel tanks, Open-air fermentation |
Still | Stainless Pot still with Copper Coil |
Age | — |
ABV | 40% |
