Casamigos is a well-known American tequila and mezcal brand that has grown into one of the most popular premium spirits in the world. Originally created in 2013 in the United States, the brand’s name comes from the Spanish words casa (house) and amigos (friends) — meaning “house of friends.” It was developed out of a desire to craft a smooth, high-quality tequila that the founders personally enjoyed.
The brand quickly captured consumer interest for its taste, celebrity backing, and authentic marketing. Today, Casamigos sells tequila and mezcal in multiple expressions (such as Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo) and has expanded internationally under the guidance of its current ownership.
Ownership Status of Casamigos
Founders
Casamigos was co-founded in 2013 by three friends:
- George Clooney – Academy Award-winning actor and producer
- Rande Gerber – American businessman and nightlife entrepreneur
- Mike Meldman – American real-estate developer and investor
The idea began casually while the group was spending time together in Mexico; they wanted a tequila that was smooth enough to drink straight and made to their own tastes before ever planning to launch a commercial brand.
Current Owner: Diageo
In June 2017, the global spirits giant Diageo plc acquired Casamigos for an initial $700 million, with up to $300 million more contingent on future performance — a deal widely reported to total up to $1 billion.
Diageo is a British multinational beverage company that owns numerous leading alcoholic beverage brands worldwide, including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness, and Baileys. The acquisition brought Casamigos into Diageo’s portfolio while allowing the founders to remain involved as brand ambassadors and creative partners.
Key Ownership Highlights
| Ownership / Entity | Role / Notes |
|---|---|
| Diageo plc | Parent company and current owner since 2017; a global leader in spirits. |
| George Clooney | Co-founder (no longer majority owner after the Diageo sale). |
| Rande Gerber | Co-founder and long-time brand figure; stayed on in ambassadorial/operational roles after acquisition. |
| Mike Meldman | Co-founder along with Clooney and Gerber; sold equity as part of the Diageo deal. |
Note: While Clooney, Gerber, and Meldman built Casamigos from scratch and helped shape its image, Diageo is the official corporate owner today.
Recent Developments in Ownership
Since Diageo’s acquisition in 2017, Casamigos has continued to grow as part of Diageo’s premium spirits division. The brand has been highlighted as one of the fastest-growing spirits brands globally, appealing to both tequila enthusiasts and mainstream consumers.
Although the founders no longer own the majority of the company, they have continued to remain associated with the brand through marketing, creative input, and appearances — a common arrangement when celebrities sell lifestyle or spirits brands to large corporations.
FAQs
1. Who currently owns Casamigos?
Casamigos is owned by Diageo plc, a British multinational beverage company that acquired the brand in 2017.
2. Who founded Casamigos?
The brand was co-founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman in 2013.
3. Is Casamigos still run by its founders?
While the founders no longer own the company, Rande Gerber and George Clooney remained involved in promotional and creative capacities after the sale, and Gerber has continued to play an active role in operations under Diageo’s oversight.
4. Why did the founders sell the company?
The founders chose to sell to Diageo to leverage the company’s global distribution and marketing power, allowing Casamigos to reach a much broader audience and scale far beyond what the founders could do independently.