Before Cesar Rodriguez started his tequila brand, he studied hospitality at UNLV and worked on the Las Vegas Strip. His business, Abuelitos Tequila, draws on an even earlier education: watching his grandparents work.
As a child, Rodriguez accompanied his grandfather as he sold socks on the streets of Tijuana. He also went with his grandmother and mother as they cleaned homes across the border in San Diego; when he was 19, both grandparents died, just a month apart.
The brand’s name honors them. Rodriguez launched Abuelitos in June, building a company founded and headquartered in Las Vegas, with tequila produced in Amatitán, Jalisco.
Bring a bottle to Thanksgiving as a host gift, and you have a local founder’s story to share when someone asks where you found it. You’re supporting a business built here, with a spirit made in Mexico.
There’s recognition behind the reposado, too. It earned Best Reposado Tequila, Best Tequila, and Best Agave Spirit in Show at the 2025 Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards.
For holiday shopping, here’s a quick guide on what to buy and where:
- Blanco: Unaged and bright, this one’s made for a highball. ($54)
- Reposado: Rested four to six months in bourbon barrels for notes of caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon. No wonder it’s an award winner. ($59 to $64)
- Where to buy: Abuelitos is stocked or served at more than 90 restaurants, bars, and retail locations across Southern Nevada. Plus, you can order online.
