What’s going on?

A class action complaint was filed in May 2025, in New York, claiming that Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas might not be as pure as their labels suggest. The investigation alleges these tequilas include significant amounts of other types of alcohol—like cane or corn—rather than being made entirely from blue Weber agave.

Who is the class action complaint against?

Diageo, the parent company of both brands.

Why is this a problem?

 If this is the case, neither brand meets the regulatory requirements to label itself “100% agave”. Both display these claims on their bottles. I believe some call this misleading, especially in Mexico.  

And how does this impact the buyer?

Well, the lawsuit argues that consumers are shelling out for a premium product that doesn’t quite live up to its promises. While we could debate what defines “premium,” let’s stick with the story for now.

So, what do you call tequila that’s not made from 100% Blue Weber Agave?

Tequila. And ssh about the 100% part.

Who kicked off this lawsuit?

It looks like a sushi restaurant in Brooklyn called Sushi Tokyo, Avi Pusatezri, a New Yorker who owns a company that teaches mixology, and Chaim Mishulovin.

Anybody else think to themselves, why these people?

Does George Clooney have any involvement in this?

Clooney and business partner Randy Gerber sold Casamigos to Diageo for $1 billion in 2017, and according to reports, the deal was staggered over ten years and included the pair staying on as brand ambassadors. So – involved, not involved.

What else?

There’s more drama, because the class action alleges that there has been corruption on behalf of the CRT officials turning a blind eye. The CRT is the regulatory body on tequila in Mexico (the Consejo Regulador del Tequila).

The lawsuit also points out how this whole thing hits small-scale agave farmers. They claim using cheaper alcohol alternatives is dragging down agave prices and putting these farmers in a tough spot.

There’s more drama

Just recently, the CRT decided to take legal action in a U.S. District Court, going after the Additive Free Alliance — a nonprofit that’s all about promoting honesty in tequila production and labeling.

The CRT claims the Alliance is misleading people, arguing that they’re the only ones who can officially certify tequilas as “additive free,” even though such a certification doesn’t exist at the moment.

 Where does this leave you and I?

There are plenty of quality tequilas out there that might not have the celebrity status of Don Julio and Casamigos, and are just as – or more enjoyable. If you ask me, showing up at a party with a lesser-known premium brand always scores personality credits.

That said, Casamigos and Don Julio are still pretty delicious, so I’ll happily sip on them while watching this tequila drama unfold. If anything, it’s shining a light on parts of the tequila industry that seem to be in need of attention anyway.