Award-Winning Casamigos Tequila Names Legendary Sidney Frank Importing Company Exclusive Importer In United States

George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman continue to grow their private stock of ultra-premium tequila

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Mar 20, 2014, 03:47 ET

MALIBU, Calif., March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Casamigos is proud to announce that Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., a privately-held and family-owned beverage alcohol powerhouse with a proven history of building ultra-premium, world class brands will become the exclusive importer and distributor of Casamigos Tequila in the United States and the Caribbean, effective April 1, 2014.

Brought to you by those who drink it. Privately owned by longtime friends George Clooney and Rande Gerber, founder of Gerber Spirits, and Discovery Land Company CEO & founder Michael Meldman, tequila-filled nights with friends is how Casamigos was born. Named after Clooney's and Gerber's adjacent homes in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which roughly translates to "house of friends," Casamigos was originally created out of Clooney, Gerber and Meldman's desire to enjoy the best-tasting, smoothest tequila while spending time with friends and family on vacation. Unsatisfied with the tequila that was commercially available to them, they were introduced to a master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico and worked to perfect their tequila.

It's safe to say the Casamigos Tequila owners know a thing or two about toasting good times. As founder of the Gerber Group, Rande Gerber has extensive experience within the restaurant and bar industries. George Clooney is an Academy Award winning actor, director, producer – and now, tequila maker. Michael Meldman's Discovery Land properties include premiere private club and community developments from the Bahamas to Hawaii.

"Our idea was to make the best-tasting, smoothest tequila whose taste didn't have to be covered up with salt or lime, so we did," said Casamigos co-founder George Clooney.

After working with the master distiller for several years and going through more than 700 samples and blind tastings with friends, Clooney, Gerber and Meldman got it right with Casamigos. Although the trio's tequila was always intended for personal use, they decided to bring their private stock to the market due to the tremendous demand for the product and encouragement from friends and family. Since launching Casamigos in early 2013, Clooney, Gerber and Meldman's tequila has garnered top awards from the spirit industry's most well-respected authority figures, the brand is available in all 50 states and is served in top hotel, bars and restaurants across the country.

"We have long admired Sidney Frank Importing Company for their expertise in building ultra-premium brands. They created Grey Goose Vodka and have grown Jagermeister into the iconic brand it is today. We're thrilled to work with them and share our tequila with new friends," added Rande Gerber.

Casamigos is currently available in Blanco and Reposado. These small batch, ultra-premium tequilas are made from the finest hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves grown in the rich red clay soil and cool climate of Mexico's Jalisco Highlands for a minimum of seven years. After harvest, the agave piñas are roasted in traditional brick ovens for seventy two hours and then artfully blended with naturally filtered water and proprietary yeast before undergoing an extra-slow fermentation process over an additional eighty hours, nearly double the industry standard.

Casamigos Blanco, which rests for two months in stainless steel containers, is crisp and clear, with subtle hints of vanilla. Casamigos Reposado, aged for seven months in American White Oak casks that have been carefully reconditioned after being used to age premium whiskey, is clean with hints of caramel. Both of these supremely smooth and refined spirits are best enjoyed neat or on the rocks without salt or lime, just as Clooney, Gerber and Meldman intended.

Before going into the bottle, each batch is tasted and approved by the master distiller, as well as Clooney and Gerber, to ensure the highest quality. Each batch is then numbered and signed by Clooney and Gerber. Casamigos Blanco and Reposado tequilas are 80 proof and available in a 750ml with a SRP of $44.99 and $49.99 respectively.

For more information on Casamigos Tequila, please visit www.casamigostequila.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest @Casamigos.

About Casamigos Tequila: Brought To You By Those Who Drink It. Privately owned by longtime friends George Clooney and Rande Gerber, founder of Gerber Spirits, and Discovery Land Company CEO & founder Michael Meldman, tequila-filled nights with friends is how Casamigos was born. Available in Blanco and Reposado, these small batch, ultra-premium tequilas are made from the finest hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves grown in the rich red clay soil and cool climate of Mexico's Jalisco Highlands for a minimum of seven years. Most recently, Casamigos has garnered a variety of accolades from the spirit industry's most well respected authority figures. Recent awards and ratings include winning the Gold Medal from the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, the coveted five (5) star rating from BevX magazine, an "A" rating from Good Spirit News and "Excellent" rating for Casamigos blanco and reposado at this year's Ultimate Spirits Challenge and voted best Tequila in the world by Men's Journal Magazine.

About Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc.: Founded in 1972, Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. of New Rochelle, NY, currently owns or imports: Jagermeister Herbal Liqueur - the number one selling imported Liqueur and shot brand in the United States; Gekkeikan Sake - the world's finest sake with nearly 400 years and 14 generations of sake brewing experience; Casamigos Tequila – Created and owned by George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman, Casamigos is a small batch, ultra-premium tequila made from the finest, hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agave; American Harvest – an American-made organic vodka that boasts a distinctly smooth and crisp, clean taste; Barenjager Honey Liqueur - the German imported original honey liqueur made with generous amounts of premium natural honey; Barenjager Honey & Bourbon - a delicious blend of premium honey liqueur and Kentucky bourbon whiskey; Barenjager Honey & Tea - premium honey artfully blended with tea liqueur; Barenjager Honey & Pear - a delightful combination of premium honey liqueur and Williams pear brandy; Hudson's Bay Scotch - a smooth blend of 100% Scotch Whiskies distilled and blended in Scotland and St. Vivant Armagnac - the premium French brandy steeped in tradition dating back to 1559. www.sidneyfrank.com