We Tried Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Record-Breaking Tequila

The three-year-old brand is on track to sell 1 million cases this year.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money off these affiliate links. Learn more.
March 20, 2023

Related To:

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: (L-R) XFL owner Dwayne Johnson reacts on the sideline during the first half of the XFL game between the DC Defenders and the Seattle Sea Dragons at Audi Field on February 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)between the DC Defenders and the Seattle Sea Dragons

1467756599

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: (L-R) XFL owner Dwayne Johnson reacts on the sideline during the first half of the XFL game between the DC Defenders and the Seattle Sea Dragons at Audi Field on February 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)between the DC Defenders and the Seattle Sea Dragons

Photo by: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

These days it seems like every few months a wealthy American celebrity announces a new tequila brand. Casamigos, owed by George Clooney recently sold to spirits juggernaut Diageo for $1 billion, Kendal Jenner launched her 818 tequila in early 2021, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently got into the game with Teremana, which launched in March 2020. Tequila might not seem like an obvious choice for a celebrity side hustle, but the numbers don’t lie. After vodka and whiskey, agave-based spirits are the third largest spirits category in the United States. And, in January of 2022 Teremana announced sales of over 900,000 cases, which is an astonishing number for any brand, let alone one that’s been on the market for less than three years.

So, what might explain Teremana’s explosive rise? It would be naive to discount Dwayne Johnson’s enormous popularity. After emerging from WWE fame in the mid-90s, he’s been a household name thanks to his copious feature film roles. (His most iconic — to me — was his star turn on an episode of Star Trek: Voyager.) But an A-list founder does not alone a successful brand make. What about the liquid itself? As a spirits expert and judge of the L.A. Spirits awards, it’s my job to stay on top of the latest developments in the drinks world, but I had yet to sample anything from Teremana until now.

How Is Teremana Tequila Made?

Tequila, by law must be made in the Jalisco region of Mexico from Blue Weber agave. Much like how Champagne is a legally defined subgroup of sparkling wine, tequila belongs to the umbrella category of mezcal, which can be made in more regions and from more varieties of agave than tequila can. The growing conditions of the agave can have significant impacts on the resulting spirit, and the category is bifurcated into highland and lowland tequila, based on the altitude of the growing site. Teremana is a highland tequila which makes it a bright and fruity, as opposed to lowland tequila, which generally has a more earthy and savory overall vibe. There are three main styles of tequila: blanco, which is un-aged; reposado, which spends up to three months in American oak barrels that once held whiskey; and añejo, which spends up to one year in those barrels. Teremana produces all three types, and this is my assessment of each.

Visually, this tequila is very bright and shiny, which is characteristic for unaged spirits and the reason this style of tequila is sometimes called “silver.” On the nose are strong notes of green pepper and cooked agave, which is unsurprising considering that’s what tequila is made from, but some feature this note more than others. On the palate these notes give way to some earthy and briny notes. And I hate to use this word because it’s so overused, but the texture of this tequila is quite smooth. To be more specific, the texture indicates an integration of aromatics, alcohol and water, so that no element is too prominent and any “burn” that might indicate the presence of harsh impurities is essentially nonexistent.

To the eyes, this tequila is a very pale straw color, indicating a modest influence from the barrel, which usually means the producer is more interested in letting the underlying quality of the spirit shine through rather than seeking to mask any imperfections with oak. Smells like marzipan, tropical fruit and roasted citrus, and on the palate that evolves into restrained vanilla aromatics and finishes off with some lingering wisps of golden raisin.

Visually the añejo is only slightly darker than the reposado, again indicating a judicious use of barrel aging. The nose is slightly flinty and smoky with a strong presence of dried apricots. On the palate there is a noticeable sweetness that reminds me a bit of maple syrup while still holding on to the fruity aromatics. Finally, there is a hint of something that I can only describe as peat, which is completely out of place in tequila, but there is a fascinating briny/petrol character that makes this a strong, neat sipping tequila.

A Great Go-To Tequila Option

Overall this is a very solid entry to the premium tequila market. It is no surprise that the pairing with an A-list celebrity skyrocketed sales. For the relatively modest price point, one could do far worse in terms of quality, making this a great “every day” tequila that would work credibly in cocktails as well as a standalone sipping option.

John deBary is the author of Drink What You Want: The Subjective Guide to Making Objectively Delicious Cocktails; CEO and Founder of Proteau, a zero-proof drinks company; and is also the Co-Founder and Board President of Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation.

Related Content:

Next Up

5 Best Juicers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The best juicers can make getting your daily fruits and vegetables fast and easy.

The 6 Best Bread Boxes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We went through a dozen loaves to find top-performing bread boxes in a variety of sizes and styles.

We Tried Ooni's New Indoor, Electric Pizza Oven

The Ooni Volt is the brand's first electric pizza oven.

4 Best Keurig Coffee Machines, According to Food Network Kitchen

Whether you're looking for a single-serve machine or one that brews a whole carafe, we found the best Keurig machine for you.

We Tried All of the Magic Spoon Cereal Flavors and Here Is Our Take

Does this high-protein, grain-free, zero-sugar, low-carb, keto-friendly cereal live up to the Internet's hype?

We Tried the Blackstone Griddle You've Seen All Over TikTok

Here's why the internet is obsessed with this backyard cooker.

The Best Instant Pots, According to Food Network Kitchen

Whether you're looking for the best Instant Pot for families, one with an air fryer or a basic model, there's an Instant Pot to meet your needs.

5 Best Ice Makers of 2024, According to Experts

If ice is a staple in your household, you’ll find a countertop ice maker is a lifesaver. With one in your kitchen, you’ll always have a supply at the ready.

4 Best Carbon Steel Pans of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

These durable, lightweight pans are beloved by chefs and we fried eggs, seared steaks and baked cornbread to find the best.

What's New