Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila heads to the UK
818 Tequila, the brand founded by Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kendall Jenner, will land in the UK next month.
Jenner's Tequila range features three bottlings: 818 Tequila Blanco, 818 Tequila Reposado and 818 Tequila Añejo. The line was first released in the US in May, selling out in "most stores" within a week of its launch, according to 818 president Mike Novy. Earlier this year, Novy told The Spirits Business the brand has been planning a luxury-focused international expansion strategy. In November, UK drinkers will become the first consumers outside the US to get their hands on 818 Tequila. The brand is kicking off its presence overseas through online drinks retailer VIP Bottles, which will release 100 bottles each of 818's Blanco and Reposado expressions through a ticketed raffle. “We get asked daily when 818 will be available since its sell-out launch in the USA and we are super excited to say that the time is almost here," Harvey Uppal, co-founder of VIP Bottles, explained. "With limited stock and unprecedented hype levels, we wanted to do something different to honour this launch." Fans can sign up for the chance to purchase a bottle through the VIP Bottles website. On 818's UK release date next month, winners will receive an email with a 'secret' URL to buy the Tequila."This gives all of our customers fair access to the limited launch, and those that miss out will automatically be notified of the next drop as soon as it lands,” Uppal said.
818 Tequila recently ramped up its sustainability efforts in a partnership with non-profit Sacred, through which the brand will help build structures for the communities that produce agave spirits. Jenner's brand is one of many celebrity-backed Tequilas, joining bottlings from stars including Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Eva Longoria, Rita Ora and George Clooney. The latter actor's Casamigos brand was snapped up by spirits giant Diageo in a US$1 billion deal.