Jose Cuervo, owned by the Beckmann family, dominates the tequila market, selling millions of cases annually in the US. Proximo Spirits now handles its distribution.
In 1758, Don Jose Antonio de Cuervo received permission from the king of Spain to grow and harvest the blue agave plant in the Jalisco region of Mexico. This marked a significant moment in tequila history, as it was the first instance of using the agave plant for tequila production.
Jose Cuervo has been producing tequila for over 250 years with traditional methods passed down through generations. They carefully select the best agaves and follow meticulous fermentation and distillation processes to create the world's finest tequila.
In 1795, Jose María Guadalupe de Cuervo started selling the very first Vino Mezcal de Tequila de Jose Cuervo after receiving the first official charter from the King of Spain to produce tequila commercially. This event solidified the Cuervo family's legacy in the tequila industry.
La Rojeña distillery, established in 1812, is the oldest operating distillery in Latin America.
In 1832, José María Guadalupe de Cuervo, son of José Antonio de Cuervo, was given the first license to manufacture and sell tequila.
In 1852, José Antonio de Cuervo exported barrels of tequila to California, marking a significant milestone in the history of tequila production.
The year 1873 saw the Cuervo family export their first three barrels of Tequila, marking a significant milestone in their international reach.
By 1880, the Cuervo family had started individually bottling tequila for commercial distribution, becoming the first distiller to bottle tequila. This innovation set them apart in the tequila industry.
In 1889, Mexican president Porfirio Díaz awarded Cuervo its first gold medal for the quality of tequila it produced.
In 1900, the iconic Jose Cuervo brand was officially established, becoming synonymous with quality Tequila production.
In 1906, Cuervo's first bottled tequila was sold, marking a significant milestone in the history of the brand. This event solidified their presence in the market as a leading tequila producer.
In 1907, Cuervo won the Gran Premio in Madrid, Spain.
In 1909, Cuervo won the Grand Prix in Paris, France.
In 1933, Jose Cuervo became the first tequila brand to register a trademark. This step helped establish the brand's identity and protect its intellectual property.
After Ana González Rubio's death in 1934, the estate of La Rojeña was inherited by her niece Guadalupe Gallardo.
By 1940, Jose Cuervo had emerged as the dominant force in the Tequila industry, solidifying its reputation as a market leader.
In 1945, Jose Cuervo launched its first ever US ad campaign for the Margarita cocktail with the slogan 'Margarita: It’s more than a girl’s name'. This marked a significant milestone in the brand's marketing strategy.
In 1955, Jose Cuervo became the first tequila brand to launch a major ad campaign in the United States. This marketing initiative contributed to the brand's recognition and success in the American market.
In 1964, tequila makers were allowed to obtain up to 30% of the sugars in tequila from sources other than the agave plant, leading to a change in tequila production regulations.
In 1966, Guadalupe Gallardo passed away, leaving the estate to her sister, Virginia Gallardo, whose son Juan Beckmann Gallardo would later manage the business.
In 1970, Jose Cuervo Gold or 'Especial' Tequila, a mixto Tequila, adjusted its agave percentage to 51% to comply with the revised regulations. This alteration reflected the brand's adaptability to industry standards.
By 1971, Jose Cuervo's exports surged from 300,000 litres to 4.24 million, showcasing a remarkable growth in the brand's international presence. This growth was accompanied by a substantial rise in the advertising budget to US$500,000 per year.
The Rolling Stones tour of 1972, known as 'the cocaine and Tequila Sunrise tour', was fueled by shots of Cuervo and became infamous for its wild partying.
After being a poster girl for Jose Cuervo Tequila, Cindy Jordan wrote a country song titled 'Jose Cuervo', which became the first song she ever wrote. The song references the tequila in the lyrics, 'Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine.'
In 1979, Jose Cuervo became beach volleyball's first major sponsor.
Cuervo Gold is referred to in Steely Dan's song 'Hey Nineteen', on their album Gaucho, released in 1980. The lyric is, 'The Cuervo Gold / The fine Colombian / Make tonight a wonderful thing.'
In 1982, the song 'Jose Cuervo' by Shelly West became a number one country hit, depicting hazy memories after a night of tequila-fueled partying.
The song 'Jose Cuervo' written by Cindy Jordan was recorded by Shelly West in 1983. It was named Billboard magazine's 1983 Country Song of the Year after reaching number 1 on the Billboard country songs chart.
In 1989, the Beckmann family sold 45% of Jose Cuervo to International Distillers and Vintners (IDV), a division of Grand Metropolitan PLC.
In 1995, Jose Cuervo released the Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo to celebrate the Cuervo family's 200-year tequila legacy. This tequila draws from the family's best private reserves and is known for its perfect balance and smoothness.
In 1997, Grand Metropolitan merged with Guinness plc to become Diageo, which became Jose Cuervo's main distributor outside of Mexico.
By 1999, Jose Cuervo's global sales had reached 5 million cases, solidifying its position as a leading tequila brand worldwide.
Country music artist Tracy Byrd released the song 'Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo' in 2002, which documents a man's night drinking Cuervo after his girlfriend breaks up with him. The song reached number 1 on the Billboard country songs chart.
By 2004, Jose Cuervo had expanded its reach to 85 markets worldwide, showcasing its widespread popularity and distribution.
In 2009, Bloomberg Businessweek named Jose Cuervo Silver, Platino, Reserva de la Familia and Black four of the world's twenty best-tasting tequilas.
Peter Gutierrez expressed his preference for Tequila to have an edgy and naughty quality while serving as the managing director of Jose Cuervo International in 2010.
In 2011, the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series was launched by IMG and USA Volleyball with three events across the US.
The Jose Cuervo Express train was opened in February 2012 to promote tourist development in the Jalisco area. The train journey takes visitors from Guadalajara to Tequila, passing through agave fields and past volcanoes, with a tour of the Jose Cuervo factory and La Rojeña distillery upon arrival in Tequila.
In July 2013, Proximo Spirits, owned by the Beckmann family, took over the distribution of Jose Cuervo.
In 2017, Becle, the holding company of Jose Cuervo, made a significant move by launching an IPO on the Mexican Stock Exchange, signaling a new chapter in its corporate journey.
Jose Cuervo, a renowned Tequila brand, remains family-owned despite takeover talks. The brand is focused on showcasing Tequila as an exciting spirit.
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