Celebrity Tequila Overkill? Matthew McConaughey's Pantalones Tequila - Yay or Nay?

Celebrity tequila bottles abound, as do the amount of meme coins being released each day. There's Cincoro Tequila by Michael Jordan, Casamigos by George Clooney, 818 by Kendall Jenner, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. One of the latest being released is from legendary actor Matthew McConaughey and his partner Camilla Alves: Pantalones Tequila. But is this just another celebrity-endorsed bottle being pushed strictly because of the strikingly handsome face? Or is there something more to these releases? Let us check them out, shall we?

The meaning of panalones in Spanish roughly translates to "pants" or "trousers" if you're fancy. It can also be slang for "guts" as in, do you have the guts to try this celebrity tequila?

First of all, taking a look at the website, we see right from the get-go that they acknowledge the over-saturation of celebrity tequila. The opening description admits:

"No. The world doesn’t need another celebrity Tequila. But goodness gracious the Tequila industry sure could use a shot of fun. And that’s exactly what Pantalones is: Really good, really clean fun."

The Releases

Pantalones Tequila Blanco - This 100% Blue Weber Organic Blanco Tequila has the frolicsome sweetness of cooked agave, notes of honey sure to make a beehive jealous and a comforting hint of citrus. It’s as smooth as it is delicious, going down so easy you may need another sip to make sure you catch it.

Pantalones Tequila Reposado - Our 100% Organic Agave Reposado Tequila isn’t just aged longer than most other tequilas, it's "relaxed" in American Oak Whisky Barrels and after 9 months a smooth sipper of a reposado tequila is born. Complete with notes of cooked agave, decadent vanilla, and a hospitable hint of oak.

Pantalones Tequila Añejo - This 100% Organic Agave Añejo Tequila is welcomed to overstay, resting and "relaxing" in American Oak Whisky Barrels for 15 months bringing notes of vanilla, a sweet dance of butterscotch with brown sugar, and a super comfortable well-worn velvety finish.

The Verdict

The Blanco variant of Pantalones Tequila has received mixed reviews. On the positive side, it's noted for its bold and robust flavor profile, featuring herbal, lime-heavy, and salty notes, along with a distinctive mushroom kick. Reviewers from Drinkhacker found it to be a muscular expression of agave, ideal for fans of strong margaritas but a bit intense for straight sipping​ (Drinkhacker)​.

While specific detailed reviews of the Pantalones Tequila Reposado are less common, the general consensus is that it maintains the quality of the Blanco while adding a layer of complexity due to its aging process. It offers a smoother taste with added notes from the barrel, which typically includes hints of vanilla and butterscotch. This aging process makes it more suitable for sipping than the Blanco​ (Speakeasy Co. Liquid Library)​.

The Añejo variant is praised for its rich and complex flavor profile, thanks to extended aging. This variant tends to have a smoother and more refined taste, with pronounced notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and possibly some subtle spicy undertones. Reviewers generally recommend it for those who enjoy sipping tequila straight or with minimal mixing to appreciate the depth of flavors developed during the aging process​ (Speakeasy Co. Liquid Library)​.

Overall, Pantalones Tequila offers a range of options that cater to different preferences, from the bold and brash Blanco to the smoother and more complex Reposado and Añejo. While the Blanco might be a bit too intense for some, the Reposado and Añejo variants provide a more refined and versatile tasting experience.

You Be the Judge

Tequila Pantalones offers something unique in the celebrity tequila world! It's fun, not too pricey, is certified organic, and has won some pretty outstanding awards, including "Double Gold" from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024, "Double Gold" from the 2024 SIP Awards, and "Bronze" at the 2024 L.A. Spirits Awards among a few others! Not bad. Not bad at all.

These bottles are currently available to pre-order and are expected to be released very soon. Don't get caught with your pants down if you're into finding the gems among the myriads of celeb tequila releases!