Latest news with #Casamigos
Time Out
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
One of the world's best cocktail bars has a rooftop location in Barcelona
Barcelona boasts a remarkably impressive roster of drinking establishments. Cool cocktail haunts, rustic watering holes, rock'n'roll bars and G&T dens – you can find all that and more on our list of Barcelona's best bars, regularly updated by our editors on the ground. However, few are as celebrated as Paradiso, a swanky cocktail spot that hasn't only acquired the accolade of one of the best bars on the planet according to World's 50 Best (every year since 2017, no less), but was also awarded two pins by the recently-launched Pinnacle Guide. And with an innovative menu like this one, we're hardly surprised. Current drinks include 'The Cloud', a blend of Casamigos mezcal, hibiscus, Montenegro amaro, Mancino secco vermouth, birch syrup, Perrier and coffee 'cloud' which culminate in a unique smoked flavour. There's also 'Hidden Island' for those with a sweet tooth – Santa Teresa 1796 Rum, Remy Martin, salicornia and lemongrass, coconut cream, pepper syrup and actual carrot cake. Yes, you read that right – cake. As you'd imagine, it can be difficult to get a seat at the bar's original location (which is – obvs – behind a fridge in a pastrami shop). What you might not know is that Paradiso recently planted roots at a swish new location – the rooftop of Time Out Market Barcelona. Nestled at the end of Rambla del Mar, which is just across from La Rambla itself, cross the pedestrian bridge over the water and keep your eyes peeled for a big red escalator. Then, you can head all the way up to Paradiso for a knockout bevvie and some stunning views of the city's Gothic Quarter.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
George Clooney-founded Casamigos broke cardinal rule in tequila making, bombshell lawsuit says
In a bombshell class-action lawsuit, one of best-selling tequilas in the world, George Clooney's Casamigos, is being sued, accused of selling possibly fake tequila, to 'cut corners.' Casamigos and Don Julio, both owned by spirit company Diageo, face allegations in a federal suit of using spirits other than tequila in their bottles, while the brands market themselves as 100% agave. Diageo, the liquor giant that owns both brands, has slammed the claims, calling them 'categorically false.' Tequila, which has to be exclusively made in the tequila region of Mexico from blue weber agave, can only be made of three ingredients: agave, water and yeast. As exclusively reported recently, tequila brands have been allowed to add 1% of additives like glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract and sugar-based syrups. While even the use of additives has been controversial because they're considered a short cut to the years-long process of crafting the Mexican drink, the filing out of New York, states that Casamigos and Don Julio sold 'adulterated' booze, possibly using cheap cane sugar instead of the 100% prized blue weber agave. Meanwhile, the products are labeled as 'luxury' and 'premium,' with each bottle costing between $50 and $150 a piece. 'Tequila manufacturing requires the cultivation, fermentation, and distillation of Blue Weber Agave, and because this type of agave takes five to ten years to mature for harvest, this 'creates ongoing tension in the industry, as well as the temptation to cut corners,"' the demand reads. Casamigos is the top celebrity-backed tequila in the world A less pure vision of the alcohol - known as mixtos - can be sold, but they must be labeled as only having 51% agave and are much less expensive than tequila. TEQUILA ADDITIVES Glycerin: Chemical creates a fuller mouthfeel. Its heavy, oily texture can mask poor distillation by coating the molecules within the tequila. Oak extract: Can be used to make tequila taste like it's been aged in an oak barrel for longer than it has. Caramel coloring: Often used to create consistency in the color and flavor of aged products, like reposado or añejo tequila, from batch to batch. Jarabes: Sugar-based syrups may include natural sweeteners like agave nectar or artificial ones, like aspartame or Splenda, to sweeten a product Source: Jay Baer Chaim Mishulovin, Avi Pusatezri, a New Yorker mixologist, and restaurant called Sushi Tokyo are the plaintiffs seeking $5 million each in damages from Diageo. Casamigos, famously founded by George Clooney and Randy Gerber (married to super model Cindy Crawford), was sold to Diageo in a $1 billion deal. However, Clooney, Gerber and even his super model wife are used to market the booze, with the Casamigos Jalepeno version marketed with the model's signature birth mark and lips. While its celebrity connections have helped propel Casamigos to being the fourth-best selling tequila in the world, it is often bashed by experts for its terrible quality. 'The issue with celebrity tequila out there is that they're using unripe agave, mass producing it, and pumping it fill of artificial sweeteners just to make a buck,' declared Texas tequila coach Fonseca Aquinaga on his Instagram account. The popularity of the brand means it has shortened the time it allows agave to mature and sweeten naturally in the earth so it can be pulled from the ground and turned into alcohol. Tequila experts say larger operations outsource their blanco Tequila, buying it from a no-name mass producer before adding chemicals to it to make it taste like what their customers are used to. Casamigos contains additives, as does Don Julio, although neither declare it on their packaging. Other alcohol experts have entire reels where they plead with customers to stop wasting their money on both brands being sued. 'One of my friends is thinking about getting Don Julio blanco for $50. What do you think? I think you should get better friends. There are better choices than Don Julio Blanco, like so many better choices,' tequilajaybaer says in the clip. The owner of both brands vows to fight the allegations in the lawsuit. 'These claims of adulteration are outrageous and categorically false; Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas are crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave and are in full compliance with the official tequila standard,' Diageo said in a statement. 'We look forward to vigorously defending the quality and integrity of our Tequilas in court.' If this case goes to trial, it may be the first time a tequila maker has to actually prove what in their product. Right now, the only tequila regulator in Mexico is the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT.) The private organization is made up of tequila makers, with executives from the most profitable and big tequila brands holding the most power. The CRT uses an honor system to regulate itself. 'There is a binder in every distillery where you write down if you put additives in the product or not. The CRT looks at the binder and signs off and moves on. They don't test or smell or anything,' tequila expert Grover Sanschagrin told Punch. The Consejo Regulador del Tequila or CRT has opposed the 'additive-free' designation The CRT, also known as the 'tequila cartel,' insiders tell do not like to be challenged. Sanschagrins' website, which claims to be the most extensive tequila database in the world, catologues all the additive-free tequila, which he tested in his Guadalajara home. Last year, his home was raided in the dead of night by Mexican federal authorities, according to Mexican media. Armed police, with a warrant that included a complaint by the CRT, claimed that the Sanschagrins were using their home as an 'adulterated tequila factory.' While no one was arrested, some bottles of tequila were seized. Despite the push-back, consumers are learning about additive-free tequila and demanding it. Big alcohol stores, like Total Wine, have now started to label tequila it sells as additive-free.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
George Clooney-founded Casamigos sued for breaking cardinal rule in tequila making
In a bombshell class-action lawsuit, one of best-selling tequilas in the world, George Clooney's Casamigos, is being sued, accused of selling possibly fake tequila, to 'cut corners.' Casamigos and Don Julio, both owned by spirit company Diageo, face allegations in a federal suit of using spirits other than tequila in their bottles, while the brands market themselves as 100% agave. Tequila, which has to be exclusively made in the tequila region of Mexico from blue weber agave, can only be made of three ingredients: agave, water and yeast. As exclusively reported recently, tequila brands have been allowed to add 1% of additives like glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract and sugar-based syrups. While even the use of additives has been controversial because they're considered a short cut to the years-long process of crafting the Mexican drink, the filing out of New York, states that Casamigos and Don Julio sold 'adulterated' booze, possibly using cheap cane sugar instead of the 100% prized blue weber agave. Meanwhile, the products are labeled as 'luxury' and 'premium,' with each bottle costing between $50 and $150 a piece. 'Tequila manufacturing requires the cultivation, fermentation, and distillation of Blue Weber Agave, and because this type of agave takes five to ten years to mature for harvest, this 'creates ongoing tension in the industry, as well as the temptation to cut corners,"' the demand reads. A less pure vision of the alcohol - known as mixtos - can be sold, but they must be labeled as only having 51% agave and are much less expensive than tequila. Casamigos is the top celebrity-backed tequila in the world Chaim Mishulovin, Avi Pusatezri, a New Yorker mixologist, and restaurant called Sushi Tokyo are the plaintiffs seeking $5 million each in damages from Diageo. Casamigos, famously founded by George Clooney and Randy Gerber (married to super model Cindy Crawford), was sold to Diageo in a $1 billion deal. TEQUILA ADDITIVES Glycerin: Chemical creates a fuller mouthfeel. Its heavy, oily texture can mask poor distillation by coating the molecules within the tequila. Oak extract: Can be used to make tequila taste like it's been aged in an oak barrel for longer than it has. Caramel coloring: Often used to create consistency in the color and flavor of aged products, like reposado or añejo tequila, from batch to batch. Jarabes: Sugar-based syrups may include natural sweeteners like agave nectar or artificial ones, like aspartame or Splenda, to sweeten a product Source: Jay Baer However, Clooney, Gerber and even his super model wife are used to market the booze, with the Casamigos Jalepeno version marketed with the model's signature birth mark and lips. While its celebrity connections have helped propel Casamigos to being the fourth-best selling tequila in the world, it is often bashed by experts for its terrible quality. 'The issue with celebrity tequila out there is that they're using unripe agave, mass producing it, and pumping it fill of artificial sweeteners just to make a buck,' declared Texas tequila coach Fonseca Aquinaga on his Instagram account. The popularity of the brand means it has shortened the time it allows agave to mature and sweeten naturally in the earth so it can be pulled from the ground and turned into alcohol. Tequila experts say larger operations outsource their blanco Tequila, buying it from a no-name mass producer before adding chemicals to it to make it taste like what their customers are used to. Casamigos contains additives, as does Don Julio, although neither declare it on their packaging. Other alcohol experts have entire reels where they plead with customers to stop wasting their money on both brands being sued. 'One of my friends is thinking about getting Don Julio blanco for $50. What do you think? I think you should get better friends. There are better choices than Don Julio Blanco, like so many better choices,' tequilajaybaer says in the clip. The owner of both brands vows to fight the allegations in the lawsuit. 'These claims of adulteration are outrageous and categorically false; Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas are crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave and are in full compliance with the official tequila standard,' Diageo said in a statement. 'We look forward to vigorously defending the quality and integrity of our Tequilas in court.' If this case goes to trial, it may be the first time a tequila maker has to actually prove what in their product. Right now, the only tequila regulator in Mexico is the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT.) The private organization is made up of tequila makers, with executives from the most profitable and big tequila brands holding the most power. The CRT uses an honor system to regulate itself. 'There is a binder in every distillery where you write down if you put additives in the product or not. The CRT looks at the binder and signs off and moves on. They don't test or smell or anything,' tequila expert Grover Sanschagrin told Punch. The CRT, also known as the 'tequila cartel,' insiders tell do not like to be challenged. Sanschagrins' website, which claims to be the most extensive tequila database in the world, catologues all the additive-free tequila, which he tested in his Guadalajara home. Last year, his home was raided in the dead of night by Mexican federal authorities, according to Mexican media. Armed police, with a warrant that included a complaint by the CRT, claimed that the Sanschagrins were using their home as an 'adulterated tequila factory.' While no one was arrested, some bottles of tequila were seized. Despite the push-back, consumers are learning about additive-free tequila and demanding it. Big alcohol stores, like Total Wine, have now started to label tequila it sells as additive-free.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Johnnie Walker owner Diageo teases selloffs amid tariff impact
This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter. Guinness and Johnnie Walker owner Diageo is weighing potential large selloffs as it expects tariffs to spark a $150 million loss. Diageo CFO Nick Jhangiani said on the company's earnings call Monday that the Guinness owner is planning 'substantial changes' to its portfolio that would be 'beyond the usual smaller brand disposals' the company has done over the past three years. In January, Diageo denied reports that it intends to sell Guinness or its stake in Moët Hennessy, the luxury spirits division of LVMH. Close to half of Diageo's net sales in the U.S. are derived from imported spirits produced in Mexico and Canada, with the 'vast majority' coming from tequila. Diageo owns a variety of prominent spirits brands produced outside the U.S., making it vulnerable to President Donald Trump's tariff policy. Imports from Europe are subject to a 10% universal tax, raising costs for alcohol producers as they already struggle with declining demand. Guinness and Bailey's are produced in Ireland; Johnnie Walker hails from scotch capital Scotland; Crown Royal whiskey is from Canada; Ketel One vodka is produced in the Netherlands; and Don Julio and Casamigos tequila are made in Mexico. By potentially selling off one of its flagship brands, Diageo could offset losses it expects to incur if tariffs remain in place. In response to an investor question, Jhangiani was careful not to reveal which brands could be sold. 'With any kind of M&A or disposals transactions, you could get certain things agreed and announced, but timing of transaction closure and cash coming in are very much dependent on a number of factors,' Jhangiani said. Diageo CEO Debra Crew told investors its 6.2% organic net sales growth in North America last quarter was driven by a 'pull-forward of imports to distributors ahead of potential tariffs.' According to Crew, U.S. consumer sentiment dipped substantially in February and March as people cut back their overall spending amid economic uncertainty. But these consumers are 'not so much down-trading' to less expensive spirits, she said. The company is focusing on smaller bottles of its spirits in a bid to win consumers back. 'They want premium products, but their household cash is trapped. So by offering a smaller size of premium products, we are finding that that is working for us in many markets, including the U.S.,' Crew said. Diageo has made portfolio tweaks over the past year as it aims to secure growth through more expensive spirits. It's also building out its U.S. manufacturing arm, investing $415 million in an alcohol facility in Alabama. Last year, the alcohol giant created Diageo Luxury Group, a business division focused on brands that sell products over $100, like Johnnie Walker and Brora scotch. More recently, the company cut ties with former Cîroc Ultra-Premium Vodka spokesman Sean 'Diddy" Combs, trading its ownership of Cîroc for a majority stake in LeBron James-backed Lobos 1707 Tequila. Recommended Reading Diageo to build $415M alcohol plant in Alabama Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Diageo faces $150m annual hit from US trade tariffs
Drinks giant Diageo has outlined plans to slash costs after warning investors that US trade tariffs could cost the group around $150million (£113million) per year. Trump had previously slapped a 25 per cent tariff on many Mexican and Canadian goods, including Diageo's tequila brands Casamigos and Don Julio, before exempting these goods under the USMCA trade deal. Diageo said if these tariffs remain in place and no further import taxes are imposed, it will cost the firm an additional $150million on an annualised basis. This is down from an estimate of $200million in February. The FTSE 100 company expects to offset about half the effect of these higher costs on operating profits. 'Our long track record of managing international tariffs gives us confidence in our ability to navigate this successfully,' it told investors. Diageo made the announcement as it reported net sales increased by 2.9 per cent to $4.4billion in the three months ending March, largely thanks to higher shipments of US spirits boosting trade in North America. Total organic revenues rose by 5.9 per cent, supported by a 29 per cent jump in Latin America and the Caribbean region as the business benefited from lapping massive inventory destocking the prior year. Despite elevated economic uncertainty, Diageo continues to anticipate a 'sequential improvement' in organic sales over the second half of 2025. Over the same period, however, the Johnnie Walker manufacturer still forecasts a 'slight decline' in organic operating profits year-on-year. Debra Crew, chief executive of Diageo, said: 'We continue to believe in the attractive long-term fundamentals of our industry and in our ability to outperform the market. 'We view the near-term industry pressure as largely macro-economic driven, with continued uncertainty impacting both the timing and pace of recovery.' Since Crew took over from the late Sir Ivan Menezes two years ago, Diageo's market value has plummeted from £75billion to about £48billion. To try and turn things around, the firm has launched the first phase of its Accelerate programme that it expects to deliver about $3billion in free cash flow each year from 2026, supported by $500million in cost savings over three years. 'Restoring investor confidence is paramount,' remarked Charlie Huggins, the head of equities at Wealth Club, who owns shares in Diageo. He added: 'The increased focus on margins and cash is a step in the right direction and buys her a bit more time in what remains a challenging market backdrop.' Diageo shares were 0.3 per cent lower at £21.46 on Monday morning, taking their losses over the past year to approximately 23 per cent.
