818 Tequila Blanco: New Formula Wins Gold at Agavos Awards

818’s New Chapter

When it comes to celebrity tequilas, 818 is no doubt one of the most popular brands on the market. Bars, restaurants, and liquor stores have been successfully selling 818 in large numbers, especially to younger tequila consumers.

Throughout the United States, consumers can find 818 readily available, and in the ~$30 price range, it’s been a commercial success. But there’s one demographic where 818 has struggled: tequila critics and aficionados.

In the past, many enthusiasts criticized 818 as overly sweet, artificially enhanced, and lacking the authenticity of traditional tequila. Most avoided buying it, opting instead for additive-free alternatives. So it came as a surprise when 818 Blanco won a Gold Medal at the 2025 Agavos Awards—one of the most critical and respected competitions in the agave spirits industry.

So how did 818 pull this off?

The Evolution of 818

818 Blanco has undergone multiple reformulations over the years. According to David Yan González, Director of Tequila Operations, the brand has experimented with four different formulas and transitioned from NOM 1137 to NOM 1607. For more details on the NOM change, see the Tequila Matchmaker profile.

One of the biggest production changes has been a shift from stainless steel to copper distillation, which many believe yields a more refined and flavorful spirit.

González noted that consumer feedback previously pointed to 818 Blanco being too sweet. In response, the latest profile is cleaner, more vegetal, and better balanced, reflecting a deliberate move toward a more traditional tequila profile.

For more insights, watch the 818 Tequila Blanco Blind Taste Test with David Yan González.

Agavos Award Winner

Winning Gold at the Agavos Awards marks a pivotal moment for 818. Once dismissed by the tequila community as a marketing-first, quality-second brand, this achievement signals a shift in strategy.

The Agavos Awards are known for their rigorous, blind-tasting process and tiered scoring system—ranging from Bronze, Silver, and Gold, to the coveted Double Gold and Best in Class honors.

Earning Gold means 818 Blanco has met high standards in aroma, taste, and finish— validated by expert judges with deep knowledge of agave spirits.

Judges at the Agavos Awards are drawn from platforms like Tequila Matchmaker and must have rated at least 50 tequilas to qualify. The new 818 Blanco impressed with floral and fruity notes, orange and peach accents, and an underlying cooked agave presence.

It’s worth noting that this award-winning variation can be identified by a “C” in the lot number—a key detail for those seeking the updated formula.

View the official entry for 818 Tequila Blanco at the Agavos Awards here.

Finding a Bottle

If you're looking to try this latest expression of 818 Blanco, keep an eye out for bottles from the updated batch— they’re just now reaching retail shelves. To confirm you're getting the reformulated version, check the lot code printed on the bottle.

Look for a code that begins with L-818C—for example: L-818C-123-456. The “C” indicates the new formula that won gold at the Agavos Awards.

With its refined profile and industry recognition, these bottles may quickly become collector favorites—not just for casual drinkers, but also for seasoned tequila enthusiasts.

The Future of 818

With its refined flavor, copper distillation, and industry recognition, 818 seems to be entering a new era. No longer just a celebrity tequila riding on marketing hype, the brand is proving it’s willing to listen, adapt, and evolve.

So far, the updated formula only applies to the 818 Blanco, but its success raises an exciting question: what's next for the rest of the lineup? Could we soon see changes to the Reposado or Añejo?

More importantly, 818’s reformulation may set a new precedent in the industry. As the demand for cleaner, more authentic tequila grows, other celebrity-backed brands could feel pressure to revisit their own production methods in pursuit of credibility and awards. A growing number of public figures are moving toward transparency and traditional techniques— Danny McBride, for example, recently launched Don Gato Tequila with an additive-free focus, highlighting this trend in the market.

No longer just a marketing-driven brand, 818 is proving it's willing to listen to feedback and refine its process. Whether you're a longtime skeptic or simply curious, the new 818 Blanco is worth a second look— and the rest of the tequila industry is certainly watching.