I made cocktails using Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila and found the reposado variety made for more flavorful drinks

February 12, 2022

I made cocktails using Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila and found the reposado variety made for more flavorful drinks

Trying Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila — I tried Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila, which she launched last year.
Zahra Tayeb/Insider

I made cocktails using two types of Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila — blanco and reposado.
The cocktails recipes included Jenner's favorite margarita and a combo of tequila and red wine.
I thought the reposado variety was perfect for those who have a sweet tooth.

I'm a huge fan of cocktails so I thought I'd test out Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila to make them for myself and some friends I had round.

Kendall Jenner tequila — Jenner's 818 Tequila comes from Jalisco, Mexico.
Zahra Tayeb/Insider

And while I'm no expert, I do enjoy drinking quality tequila — especially when I sip on the odd margarita from time to time.

Launched last February, the supermodel treated tequila lovers to three different variations including blanco, reposado, and añejo.

818 tequila — I tried the blanco and reposado variations.
Kaylee Richards/Krupa Consulting

One way of determining high-quality tequila is if it says "100% agave" on the label, Deano Moncrieffe, owner of London-based agaveria Hacha, a bar that serves agave-based spirits like tequila and mezcal, told Insider. That's one of the first things I noticed on the 818 bottles so I had high expectations.

Man walking through agave fields — 818 Tequila is made from 100% Blue Weber Agaves.
Danny Lehman/Getty Images

But before I stepped into full-fledged bartender mode, I tried 818's blanco and resposado variations neat to get a true sense of its flavors.

According to 818, blanco offers a "sweet agave and vanilla, with undertones of tropical and citrus fruit" taste. I was most excited about the vanilla flavour I was promised, but disappointingly I didn't taste it.

Instead, I found the blanco to taste mildly tangy which lived up to part of its description. There was also a smooth finish to it which made it surprisingly easy to sip.

pouring 818 tequila — I noticed the blanco variety had a slight floral aroma to it.
Zahra Tayeb/Insider

Upon tasting the reposado variety, I was instantly hit with a rich toffee-like scent. Its description also lists "meringue" notes as an aroma, and as a baker myself who on occasion makes the dessert, I completely agree.

testing 818 tequila — The reposado variety had a delicious aroma to it.
Zahra Tayeb/Insider

After sampling it, it tasted as sweet as it smelt. The reposado had a slight caramel flavour to it which was so distinct it almost reminded me of eating a sticky toffee pudding. It's a good variety for those with a sweet tooth like myself.

After warming up my taste buds, I started to make some cocktails recommended by 818. I laid out some of my ingredients and got stuck in.

ingredients for 818 tequila cocktails — The recipes were pretty simple and easy to make.
Zahra Tayeb/Insider

First up was my attempt at making an 818 winter cocktail called "Tequila Honeycrisp," since its still on the chiller side where I'm based in London. It tasted much like autumn as apple and cinnamon flavours touched my palate. These spiced flavors complemented the tanginess I got from the blanco variety.

tequila honeycrisp - 818 — This cocktail included 818 blanco, lemon juice, spiced apple cider and honey.
Zahra Tayeb/Insider

I love red wine so when I saw a recipe combining it with tequila, I felt obliged to make it. Labelled "818 Better Red," this was another cocktail containing the blanco variety. Refreshing and fruity, this was a unique drink but I'm not sure I'd make it again for its lack of flavor.

I used the reposado variety for the last two cocktails I chose to make. Up first was the "Calabasas Citrus Marg." After taking a sip, I noticed how tropical it tasted. I really enjoyed this cocktail and felt the citrus flavours balanced the sweetness of the reposado to make for a delicious drink.

818 cocktail — This cocktail was made with 818 tequila reposado, orange liqueur, and fresh lime and orange juice.
Zahra Tayeb/Insider

For the finale, I made "Kenny's Favourite Marg." It tasted crisp, sweet and salty — all the flavours of a classic margarita. But I think if I used a Tajin salt rim as the recipe recommended, instead of rock salt, it would've elevated the drink further.

Of course, when you think of tequila, the first thing that often comes to mind is shots. I couldn't let the opportunity pass, so I lined up a couple for me and my friends.

Overall, I think Jenner's 818 tequila is good but not the best one I've tried. The reposado variety, however, has a better flavour profile than the blanco, so if you're looking to pick up a smooth, sweet and versatile tequila, it might be the one for you.