Jose Cuervo is the world’s best-known tequila brand and one of the oldest continuously operating spirits companies in Mexico. Its history goes back to 1758, when King Ferdinand VI of Spain granted land in Jalisco to Don José Antonio de Cuervo for cultivating agave. In 1795, the family received the first official license from the Spanish Crown to produce tequila commercially, laying the foundation for what became the global tequila industry.

Produced in the town of Tequila in Jalisco, Jose Cuervo has remained a family-run business for over 250 years, with successive generations shaping its growth. The brand controls vast agave fields and distillation facilities, allowing it to maintain large-scale production while protecting consistency. Over time, it became synonymous with tequila worldwide, playing a central role in making the spirit an international staple.

The portfolio is extensive, ranging from the mass-market Especial (known as Cuervo Gold and Silver) to higher-end 100% agave lines such as Tradicional, Reserva de la Familia, and Platino. Especial helped introduce millions to tequila, while Reserva de la Familia, launched in 1995 to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary, represents one of the finest extra añejo tequilas on the market, crafted from select agave and aged in oak.

Culturally, Jose Cuervo is both a heritage brand and a pop-culture icon, appearing in songs, films, and celebrations worldwide. It embodies Mexican tradition, family legacy, and craftsmanship, but also the fun, festive side of tequila drinking. More than just a distillery, Jose Cuervo has been the standard-bearer for tequila itself, helping transform it from a regional spirit into a global category.