Celebrities in the Spirits Game: Are Their Boozy Ventures Worth a Sip?
Celebrities in the Spirits Game: Are Their Boozy Ventures Worth a Sip? 🥃🔥
It seems like every time you turn around, another celebrity is throwing their hat into the liquor game—especially when it comes to whiskey, bourbon, and tequila. Whether they’re launching their own distilleries or slapping their name on an existing brand, A-listers are making major moves in the spirits world. But the big question is: Are these drinks actually good, or just another Hollywood cash grab?
The best way to find out? Grab a bottle, pour a glass, and judge for yourself! Let’s take a look at some of the biggest celeb-backed spirits making waves in the industry.
Hollywood Meets the Whiskey Barrel
Matthew McConaughey – Wild Turkey Longbranch
Alright, alright, alright! The True Detective star isn’t just a bourbon fan—he’s actually had a hand in crafting his own. Longbranch, a smooth and refined bourbon from Wild Turkey, was made with McConaughey’s personal input, using mesquite from his Texas roots for a unique smoky sweetness. It’s an excellent choice for sipping neat or making a killer Old Fashioned.
Bob Dylan – Heaven’s Door Whiskey
The music legend isn’t just a poet—he’s a whiskey maker, too! Heaven’s Door is a Tennessee-based whiskey brand with small-batch bourbons and ryes that hold up against some of the best traditional labels. If you’re a fan of deep, complex flavors with a bit of an artistic edge, this is one to try.
Metallica – Blackened Whiskey
Heavy metal meets heavy-hitting whiskey. Blackened is a blend of bourbon and rye, aged with “sound-enhanced” maturation (yes, they literally blast Metallica music into the barrels). It’s bold, spicy, and full of character—just like the band itself.
Tequila Goes Hollywood
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson – Teremana Tequila
The People's Champ delivers a people’s tequila. Teremana is a small-batch, handcrafted tequila with smooth, natural flavors that work well for sipping or mixing. Johnson prides himself on the sustainability and authenticity of the brand—plus, it pairs ridiculously well with smoky BBQ.
George Clooney – Casamigos Tequila
One of the most well-known celebrity spirits, Casamigos was co-founded by Clooney and eventually sold for a billion-dollar payday. This tequila is smooth and easy-drinking, perfect for classic margaritas or just knocking back on the rocks.
Kevin Hart – Gran Coramino Tequila
Kevin Hart isn’t just making people laugh—he’s making them sip. Gran Coramino is his ultra-premium tequila, aged in cognac barrels for a rich, nuanced finish. If you like your tequila with a little extra depth, this one’s worth a try.
Put Them to the Test!
With all these celebrity-backed spirits hitting the shelves, there’s only one way to separate the gimmicks from the greatness—try them out! Pairing them with bold, smoky, rustic BBQ flavors (like the ones we serve up at Bacon-n-Bourbon) is the best way to see what holds up under fire.
Classic Whiskey & Bourbon Cocktails for BBQ Nights
Want to give these bourbons and whiskeys a fair shake? Try mixing them into these Bacon-n-Bourbon-approved cocktails that pair perfectly with smoky meats and rich, southern flavors.
1. Smoked Maple Bacon Old Fashioned 🥓🔥
A smoky, slightly sweet twist on a classic Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
2 oz Wild Turkey Longbranch (or your bourbon of choice)
¼ oz maple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 strip of crispy candied bacon (for garnish)
Orange peel
Instructions:
In a glass, muddle maple syrup and bitters.
Add bourbon and ice, stir gently.
Garnish with orange peel and a crispy strip of bacon.
Pairs best with slow-roasted pulled pork and loaded mashed potatoes.
2. Spicy BBQ Manhattan 🌶️🥃
A bold, smoky take on the Manhattan
Ingredients:
2 oz Heaven’s Door Straight Bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes smoked chili bitters
Luxardo cherry for garnish
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Pairs best with red wine braised lamb shanks or lollipop chicken drumsticks.
3. Whiskey & Poblano Sour 🌿🔥
A fresh, slightly spicy whiskey sour that pairs with grilled flavors
Ingredients:
2 oz Blackened Whiskey
¾ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz agave nectar
1 roasted poblano pepper slice (for garnish)
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass.
Garnish with a charred poblano pepper slice.
Pairs best with fajita quesadillas or massive enchiladas.
Final Thoughts: Are Celebrity Spirits Worth the Hype?
Some might be marketing gimmicks, but others are legitimately great spirits. The best way to know? Try them yourself!
Whether you’re into smoky bourbons, fiery tequilas, or smooth whiskeys, the celebrity-backed bottles on the market have something unique to offer. And if you pair them with Bacon-n-Bourbon’s bold, rustic BBQ flavors, you’ll be in for a treat.
What’s your take—have you tried any celebrity whiskeys or tequilas that blew you away? Or maybe some that didn’t live up to the hype? Drop your favorites in the comments and let’s talk spirits! 🥃🔥
📍 Find Bacon-n-Bourbon every Friday & Saturday night at The Liberal Bull Lounge and Tobacco Republic in Loomis, CA.
🍽️ Check out our rotating menu: baconnbourbon.com/menu
📍 See where we’re popping up next: baconnbourbon.com/location
🔥 Look for the lights, follow the smell of slow-roasted meats, and sip something incredible! 🔥
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