By Dathan Kazsuk

If you’ve spent any amount of time around Raleigh’s food and drink scene, you’ve probably heard the name Casamigos float across a bar menu or two. It’s the ultra-smooth tequila brand founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman—originally created as a private passion project before becoming one of the fastest-growing premium spirits in the country.

The idea was simple: Make a tequila so smooth you could sip it without salt, lime, or second thoughts. Their lineup—Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Cristalino and Mezcal—leans into slow-roasted blue Weber agave, meticulous fermentation, and aging in American oak barrels. The result is a collection crafted for sipping, mixing, and sharing in that “house of friends” spirit that
inspired the name Casamigos in the first place.

And yes, before you start hunting around—we checked. You can pick up Casamigos at your local North Carolina ABC store, with multiple varieties in the state’s retail system. That makes this an easy brand to explore as the temperatures drop and winter cocktail season begins.

A Couple of Gifted Bottles

Recently, I was gifted a couple of bottles to play with—Blanco and Reposado—an early holiday treat I didn’t know I needed. And here’s a fun little fact that rarely makes it into print: A long, long time ago, I earned my bartending license back in California. So, with Casamigos in hand and old habits resurfacing, I went full throwback and decided to craft a few winter-weather cocktails. Think fireside sippers inspired by the brand’s own recipe playbook.

What makes Casamigos great for this?

Its smooth, low-burn profile actually holds up beautifully in winter cocktails. You get the backbone of agave without losing subtle ingredients like citrus, spice, or bitters. It plays well with others—always a good trait in a spirit, and in a season where cozy gatherings are the norm.