What CÓDIGO 1530 does

Código 1530 is an ultra-premium tequila and mezcal brand co-founded in 2017 by Ron Snyder, Federico Vaughan, Betsy Heneghan, and country music legend George Strait. The company produces 100% Blue Weber agave tequila in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico using traditional methods including autoclave cooking, stainless-steel fermentation, double distillation in handmade stills, and aging in French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels, a deliberate departure from the American whiskey barrels used by most tequila producers. The product ladder spans Blanco, Rosa (rested in uncharred Cabernet barrels), Reposado, Añejo (18 months), and Extra Añejo "Origen" (six years), alongside limited editions such as Barrel Strength Añejo, XII Year Extra Añejo, the George Strait Collection, and the Playboy Rare Hare collaboration. The company has also extended into mezcal through partnerships with artisan families in Oaxaca, producing Mezcal Artesanal (burro-pulled tahona, earthen oven, copper alambique) and Mezcal Ancestral (hand-mashing, leather vat fermentation, clay-pot distillation).

The business sells through a multi-channel distribution model: ReserveBar-fulfilled direct e-commerce (codigo1530.com), licensed liquor retailers and supermarkets, on-premise bars and restaurants across 34 US states, international distribution partnerships, and a dedicated merchandise storefront (codigo1530shop.com). Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, anchored by high-profile experiential sponsorships at country music and Western lifestyle events including the Stagecoach Festival and the Desert Rodeo, plus collaborations with Western heritage brands such as Resistol. Customer segments center on ultra-premium sipping consumers, Western lifestyle and country music enthusiasts, and gift buyers, with the brand monetizing through collectible limited editions and celebrity co-branded products.

The company is privately held with a 1-10 employee footprint, headquarters in Niwot, Colorado, and US operations structured under Código US LLC. While the website's privacy policy links to Pernod Ricard USA and wholesale inquiries are directed to Pernod Ricard representatives, the source material does not confirm an explicit ownership or parent-subsidiary relationship with Pernod Ricard. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the brand's stated ambition is to be the most selective tequila in the world, validated by multiple Best in Show, Double Gold, and Platinum medals across the San Francisco World Wine & Spirits Competition, SIP Awards, TAG Global Spirits Awards, PR%F Awards, and New York World Wine & Spirits Competition.

Name

CÓDIGO 1530

Legal name

Código US LLC

Website

https://codigo1530.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Código 1530 is an ultra-premium tequila and mezcal brand co-founded by George Strait in 2017, producing agave spirits in Amatitán, Jalisco, aged in French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels and sold across 34 US states and internationally via retail, on-premise, and ReserveBar-fulfilled e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Tequila

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale) (CRAOAIAB)

Keywords

• Ultra-premium tequila
• Agave spirits
• Barrel-aged tequila
• Premium mezcal
• Spirits production

Headquarters

HQ city

Niwot

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tequila and Mezcal Product Sales: Direct product sales of ultra-premium tequila and mezcal across multiple variants (Blanco, Rosa, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo, Special Editions). Products sold through e-commerce (fulfilled by ReserveBar), licensed retailers, liquor stores, supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. Includes limited-edition and special collaboration products.
2. Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including apparel and accessories sold through codigo1530shop.com.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Código 1530 produces and sells ultra-premium tequila and mezcal variants distilled at a single distillery in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico, and markets them through e-commerce, retail liquor outlets, bars, restaurants, and international distributors. The portfolio centers on 100% Blue Weber agave tequila aged in French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels across expressions ranging from Blanco to six-year Extra Añejo (Origen), complemented by special editions and traditional Oaxacan mezcal lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• George Strait Collection: Limited-edition tequilas hand-picked by country icon George Strait, featuring engraved Jerusalem cross and George Strait imagery
• Playboy Rare Hare
• Mezcal Artesanal
• Mezcal Ancestral

Products and services

• Código 1530 Blanco Tequila An unrested, 100% Blue Weber agave tequila produced in Amatitán, Jalisco using time-honored methods; designed for sipping or premium cocktails.
• Código 1530 Rosa Tequila A tequila rested for one month in uncharred French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels, imparting delicate red wine and floral notes with no added colors.
• Código 1530 Reposado Tequila Reposado tequila aged six months in French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels, balancing bright agave flavors with warm whiskey-like undertones.
• Código 1530 Añejo Tequila Award-winning tequila meticulously aged 18 months in French White Oak wine barrels, producing a complex, balanced spirit intended for sipping neat or on the rocks.
• Código 1530 Origen Extra Añejo Tequila Ultra-premium extra añejo aged six years in French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels, positioned among the world's most decadent añejos and blending agave brightness with cognac-like warmth.
• Código 1530 Blanco Still Strength Estate Harvest Tequila Estate-harvest unaged tequila made from agave grown on Código 1530's own fields, fermented in French White Oak Napa Valley wine barrels and distilled in small batches.
• Código 1530 Barrel Strength Añejo Tequila Special-edition barrel-strength añejo tequila that received Best in Show and Platinum honors at the TAG Golden Spirits Awards.
• Código 1530 Playboy Rare Hare Añejo Tequila Limited-edition collaboration añejo with Playboy Spirits, aged in French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet barrels and finished in Spanish Sherry-Fino casks (1st edition) or French cognac casks (2nd edition), packaged in crystal and engraved wood.
• Código 1530 XII Year Extra Añejo Tequila Special-edition extra añejo tequila uniquely aged for approximately twelve years, part of the broader Special Editions collection.
• Código 1530 George Strait Collection Limited-edition tequila line hand-selected by co-founder George Strait, including Rosa-Reposado, Encore Añejo, and Origen expressions featuring engraved Jerusalem Cross branding and Strait imagery.
• Código 1530 Mezcal Artesanal Traditional mezcal produced in partnership with a small village of artisan families in Oaxaca using burro-pulled tahona crushing, earthen oven cooking, copper alambique stills, and aging in Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc wine barrels; recognized with Double Gold honors at the PR%F Awards.
• Código 1530 Mezcal Ancestral Ancestral-style mezcal made from 100% papalome maguey, hand-crushed with a wooden stick, fermented in leather vats and distilled in clay pot stills using open-air fermentation in hides.
• Código 1530 Branded Merchandise Branded apparel and accessories sold through the dedicated Código 1530 online shop (codigo1530shop.com).

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ResistolcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 November 2025Holiday collaboration featuring a themed cocktail kit and limited-edition cowboy hat. The partnership integrates Western heritage, craftsmanship, and celebrity endorsement through George Strait to create unique gifting opportunities for the holiday season.
• Bud LightminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2025Bud Light serves as beverage sponsor at the Desert Rodeo festival event in Coachella Valley, alongside Código 1530. Both brands target Western lifestyle and country music enthusiasts at this PRCA-sanctioned rodeo event.
• Playboy SpiritscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial collaboration producing the Playboy Rare Hare Añejo Tequila, aged in French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels then finished in Spanish Sherry-Fino casks. Features solid crystal bottle, four tasting glasses, and etched wood stopper in engraved wood box. Second edition (Rare Hare II) aged 18 months then finished 6 months in French cognac casks, limited to 1953 bottles.
• George StraitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCountry music legend George Strait co-founded Código 1530 and has been enjoying the Añejo tequila for decades. Limited-edition George Strait products feature engraved Jerusalem cross and image of George Strait. Products include Rosa-Reposado, Encore Añejo, and Origen varieties hand-selected by Strait.
• Oaxacan Artisan Mezcal FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCódigo 1530 partnered with a small village of artisan families in Oaxaca who have produced the world's finest mezcals for generations. Each mezcal is lovingly created using traditional methods including burro-pulled tahona and copper stills, with best ingredients harvested throughout Oaxaca.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Casamigos Tequila: Co-founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman—Casamigos is the most directly comparable celebrity-founded ultra-premium tequila brand, acquired by Diageo for $1B in 2017. Same celebrity-endorsement-driven GTM and ultra-premium positioning targeting aspirational consumers.
• Teremana Tequila: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's celebrity-backed tequila brand positioned as small-batch, ultra-premium. Direct competitor in celebrity tequila space with comparable brand-led growth strategy and pricing tiers.
• 818 Tequila: Founded by Kendall Jenner, 818 is a celebrity-founded ultra-premium tequila targeting a younger demographic. Direct competitor in the celebrity tequila category with similar premium positioning and digital/social-led GTM.
• Don Julio: One of the leading ultra-premium tequila brands globally, owned by Diageo. Direct competitor at the high-end of the tequila category with established distribution and similar Blanco/Reposado/Añejo product architecture.
• Patrón Tequila: Ultra-premium tequila category leader owned by Bacardi. Direct competitor in the super-premium and luxury tequila space, with similar aged expressions (Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo) and gift-occasion positioning.
• Clase Azul: Ultra-premium Mexican tequila brand known for handcrafted ceramic decanters and luxury positioning. Comparable in ultra-premium price tier and collectible/luxury gifting strategy, though with more limited distribution and distinct brand aesthetic.
• Casa Dragones: Ultra-premium sipping tequila positioned as a sipping spirit rivaling fine cognac. Directly comparable to Código 1530's positioning around wine-barrel aging and cognac-like complexity for affluent consumers.
• DeLeón Tequila: Celebrity-affiliated ultra-premium tequila (associated with Sean 'Diddy' Combs) with similar luxury positioning and emphasis on smooth sipping experience. Direct competitor in celebrity-backed premium tequila segment.
• Gran Coramino: Kevin Hart's celebrity-founded ultra-premium tequila brand. Emerging direct competitor in the celebrity tequila category with similar premium positioning targeting aspirational consumers and gift occasions.

Emerging players

• Del Maguey Mezcal: Single-village mezcal producer specializing in traditional Oaxacan production methods. Comparable to Código 1530's Mezcal Artesanal line in artisanal positioning and traditional craft story, though focused exclusively on mezcal.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/codigo1530
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6W5-bbI4cgcCWlhkRiH0vg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/codigo1530
• Instagraminstagram.com/codigo1530

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CÓDIGO 1530