Don Gato Tequila

What Don Gato Tequila does

Don Gato Tequila is an additive-free premium tequila brand operating as Southbound Ventures, LLC out of Charleston, South Carolina, co-created in mid-2024 by comedian and actor Danny McBride and entrepreneur Chad Walldorf. The brand markets a fictional Mexican luchador character — Don Gato — and produces two core spirits: a Blanco and a Reposado, both made from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Lowlands of Jalisco with zero additives, crushed using traditional tahona stone wheels alongside modern techniques, and distilled at the Casa Natima distillery in Mexico. Its gold-medal performance at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best in Show at the New York World Spirits Competition (Reposado) anchor the quality narrative.

The business sells tequila through three parallel channels: direct-to-consumer online ordering via ReserveBar (with delivery across 13 US states and Washington D.C.); wholesale distribution through Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits accessed via the Proof platform for bars, restaurants, and off-premise retailers; and on-premise/retail adoption in markets such as Florida, Charlottesville, and the broader Southeast. Beyond liquor sales, the company runs a sizable branded merchandise operation — roughly 30 SKUs of apparel, hats, mugs, novelty items, upcycled bottle lamps, and limited-edition Mexican velvet prints — fulfilled through Printful with payment processing via Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Pricing for tequila is not publicly disclosed on the company site; merchandise items range from $15 to $35.

Marketing is anchored by an extensive ongoing video saga featuring Danny McBride, distributed across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X, with additional earned media in Variety, Robb Report, AdAge, Fox Business, USA Today, and others. Activation strategy combines event-driven retail bottle signings (notably at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits in Florida on January 29, 2026) with sports-entertainment partnerships such as the activation at Major League Wrestling's Battle Riot VIII event. The company is founder-controlled, privately held, and discloses no institutional funding.

Name

Don Gato Tequila

Legal name

Southbound Ventures, LLC

Website

https://dongatotequila.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Don Gato Tequila is an additive-free premium tequila brand co-created by comedian Danny McBride, selling Blanco and Reposado crafted at Casa Natima in Jalisco's Lowlands via ReserveBar DTC and Southern Glazers wholesale across 13+ US states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Tequila

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Inventory-led Online Retailers (CRAFADAO), Tobacco, Alcohol & Cannabis Omnichannel (CRAFAEAM)

Keywords

• Premium tequila production
• Blue agave spirits
• Additive-free tequila
• Lowland agave tequila
• Branded spirits merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tequila Product Sales: Direct sales of Don Gato Tequila products (Blanco and Reposado) to consumers via ReserveBar online platform and through wholesale distribution to retail stores and bars/restaurants.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, accessories, and novelty items through the company's e-commerce store. Fulfilled by Printful with payment processing through Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Don Gato Tequila produces and sells premium Blanco and Reposado tequilas made from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico, with zero additives, traditional tahona wheel crushing, and copper pot still distillation. Spirits are sold direct-to-consumer through ReserveBar online and via wholesale to bars, restaurants, and retailers (Southern Glaziers' Proof platform), operating across 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The company also runs an e-commerce merchandise line (apparel, headwear, drinkware, and lifestyle goods) drop-shipped through Printful and processed via Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

Product overview

Don Gato Tequila is a premium tequila brand offering two core spirits products—Blanco and Reposado—crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Lowlands of Jalisco with zero additives. The brand has built a merchandise line featuring apparel items including t-shirts, tanks, muscle shirts, hats, accessories like mugs and water bottles, and lifestyle products such as lamps and velvet artwork. The tequila products are sold through online retailers like ReserveBar and in retail locations across 16 U.S. states plus Washington D.C., while merchandise is fulfilled through Printful and sold directly via the company's Shopify-powered online store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Don Gato Tequila Blanco Premium blanco tequila crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Lowlands of Jalisco with zero additives, distilled at Casa Natima distillery. Tasting profile includes fresh pear, lime zest, and cedar on the nose with grapefruit, coriander, almond creme, spun sugar, clove, and brioche in the midrange; recommended neat at room temperature. Sold online via ReserveBar and through retail/wholesale channels across 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
• Don Gato Tequila Reposado Premium reposado tequila made from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Lowlands of Jalisco with zero additives, distilled and aged at Casa Natima distillery. Aged with lowland agave, pure water, and up to a year of wisdom. Tasting profile features golden raisin, Madagascar vanilla, lemon peel, and tart green apple, with butterscotch, bourbon-oak, peppercorn, and black tea on the finish; awarded Best in Show at the New York World Spirits Competition.
• MADE GOOD TEE SHIRT Unisex basic softstyle t-shirt made from 100% ring-spun cotton, with quarter-turned construction and double seams, available in multiple colors including black, navy, purple, dark heather, royal, sand, ice grey, and white.
• OG GATO TEE Classic unisex cotton tee with double seams and sturdy build for everyday wear, available in black, light blue, and white in sizes S through 5XL.
• Don Gato Logo Tee Flagship tri-blend t-shirt featuring the bold pink Don Gato logo on heather blue, designed for everyday wear.
• Don Gato Is My Dad Tee Premium tri-blend fabric t-shirt with humorous branding, made from Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, pre-shrunk, in heather columbia blue.
• La Gatita Women's Boxy Tee Women's heavyweight boxy t-shirt in ivory with relaxed boxy fit, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with DTG print or embroidery options.
• Midnight Flamingo Tank Men's premium tank top in harbor blue with hot-pink Don Gato Tequila wordmark, made from 100% cotton with a relaxed fit for pool, concert, or bar wear.
• The Workout Muscle Shirt Unisex muscle shirt with 'WORKOUT TEQUILA' messaging, made from 100% combed and ring-spun cotton with a slim fit and raw-edge armholes.
• 1963 Wrestling Club Muscle Shirt Unisex muscle shirt featuring the Wrestling Club 1963 design in pink and navy, made from 100% combed and ring-spun cotton with a slim fit and raw-edge armholes.
• El Tanque Premium Tank Men's premium tank top in white with bold black Don Gato Tequila lettering, made from crisp white cotton with DTG printing.
• Cool Times Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt with Don Gato crest and bottle imagery, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a relaxed fit and reinforced collar.
• Good Tequila Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt with bold tequila messaging, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a heavyweight 6.1 oz fabric and relaxed fit.
• Gotta Go Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring urgency messaging, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a reinforced collar and double-needle hems.
• Legend Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring Don Gato's saga across the back, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a relaxed fit and reinforced collar.
• Stand Tall Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring Don Gato's fearless figure, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a signature twill label; available in multiple color variants including graphite.
• Second Skin Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring Don Gato messaging front and back, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a relaxed fit.
• Wrestling Club Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring the Wrestling Club membership design, made from 100% ring-spun cotton in ivory with a reinforced collar; available in multiple color variants including navy.
• DG v World Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring a fight-poster design declaring tequila the champion, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a signature twill label; available in multiple color variants including graphite.
• Salud Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring toast and Jalisco spirit messaging, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a signature twill label.
• Club Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring the Tequila and Felines Fan Club membership design, made from 100% ring-spun cotton; available in multiple color variants including graphite.
• Rooted Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring agave and lasso imagery representing Jalisco roots, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a signature twill label.
• Real Ones Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring humorous legend messaging, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a signature twill label.
• X-RAY GATO Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt featuring an electric-toned Don Gato mask design, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a signature twill label.
• Fight Card Shirt Lightweight t-shirt featuring a vintage lucha-style fight-card design printed with Don Gato ring imagery in black.
• Big Head Shirt Lightweight t-shirt featuring Don Gato's face design, made from slightly off-white cotton with a relaxed fit.
• Brand Ambassador Tee Garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt with brand-ambassador messaging, made from 100% ring-spun cotton with a heavyweight 6.1 oz fabric and relaxed fit.
• The Off the Top Rope Hat Richardson 258 cap made from 100% polyester with moisture-wicking stay-dri sweatband, braided rope detailing, and adjustable snapback closure.
• Tequila Don Gato Vintage Rope Cap Vintage-inspired rope cap with 70% cotton, 30% nylon construction, unstructured 5-panel build, semi-curved bill with old-school rope flair, and adjustable snapback.
• Tequila Don Gato Cuffed Beanie Cuffed beanie made from 100% turbo acrylic, 12 inches tall, hypoallergenic with unisex fit; available in heather grey and baby pink.
• Gym Bottle 32 oz double-walled stainless steel water bottle with vacuum insulation and plastic lid, featuring rotating handle and anti-slip patch with glossy finish.
• Shaky Hands Mug 15 oz ceramic mug with glossy finish, lead- and BPA-free, dishwasher and microwave safe (4.7 inches height x 3.3 inches diameter).
• Hand Me a Bottle Onesie Baby short-sleeve onesie with humorous messaging, made from 100% ring-spun combed cotton with envelope neckline and three-snap leg closure.
• Don Gato Lamp Hand-assembled lamp made from a real Don Gato Tequila bottle, transforming the bottle into a decorative lifestyle piece; available in Blanco and Reposado variants.
• Velvet Gato Velvet Art Print Hand-painted velvet portrait print of Don Gato by Mexican velvet artist Argo — print of the original artwork capturing Don Gato at his wrestling success; unframed, ordered via Venmo ([email protected]).

Quantifiable outcome

• Gold medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best in Show at New York World Spirits Competition
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Major League Wrestling (MLW)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 January 2026Partnership for MLW's Battle Riot VIII wrestling event in Kissimmee, Florida. Don Gato Tequila to appear at this major wrestling event as part of brand activation and Florida market launch.
• ABC Fine Wine & SpiritsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 January 2026Florida retail partner hosting Don Gato Tequila's Florida debut bottle signing event on January 29, expected to draw hundreds of customers with Danny McBride appearance.
• ReserveBarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReserveBar handles all tequila sales on the Don Gato website, processing payments and shipping products directly to consumers. Order tracking available through ReserveBar's platform.
• PrintfulcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrintful serves as the merchandise fulfillment partner, handling production and delivery of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, and accessories sold on the Don Gato website.
• Stripe, PayPal, Apple PaycoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party payment processors handling secure payment transactions for merchandise purchases. Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay accepted for merchandise orders.
• Southern Glaziers Wine & Spirits (Proof)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale distribution partner for bars, restaurants, and retailers. Approved wholesale customers can order through the Proof platform at shop.sgproof.com.
• Casa NatimacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJalisco distillery that produces Don Gato Tequila. Known for additive-free spirits production, Casa Natima crafts the brand's Blanco and Reposado tequilas.
• FacebookminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFacebook Pixel tracking implemented for marketing analytics, site usage insights, and targeted advertising purposes.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Casa Noble Tequila: Additive-free, certified organic premium tequila with traditional production methods and full Blanco/Reposado/Añejo lineup. Closest non-celebrity comparable to Don Gato's production story.
• Cincoro Tequila: Celebrity/NBA-owner-founded super-premium tequila (Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo). Comparable premium positioning and on-premise-led distribution strategy.
• 818 Tequila: Kendall Jenner-founded celebrity tequila with Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo range. Direct competitor for trade buyer attention and shelf placement in the celebrity tequila segment.
• Santo Tequila: Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar celebrity tequila Blanco/Reposado range positioned at accessible premium price points with strong entertainment-driven marketing.
• Casamigos: Celebrity-founded premium tequila (George Clooney / Rande Gerber) co-created via a fictional-character brand identity and acquired by Diageo for ~$1B. Closest comparable in the celebrity-premium tequila lane Don Gato occupies.
• Teremana Tequila: Dwayne Johnson-founded premium tequila backed by Diageo distribution. Same celebrity-fronted, additive-aware positioning, Blanco and Reposado SKU structure, and premium off-premise go-to-market.

Broad incumbents

• Clase Azul Tequila: Established ultra-premium tequila brand with full portfolio including aged expressions; competes in the same premium on-premise and gift channels Don Gato targets.
• Don Julio: Diageo-owned premium tequila with full Blanco/Reposado/Añejo/Extra Añejo portfolio. Sets the standard for trade and consumer expectations in the premium tequila category Don Gato competes in.
• Patrón Tequila: Category-leading premium tequila owned by Bacardi. Competes for trade buyer attention, on-premise menu placement, and retail shelf space across Don Gato's distributed states.

Emerging players

• Lobos 1707: Celebrity-backed (Leonardo DiCaprio) additive-free tequila with Reposado and Extra Añejo focus; emerging direct competitor for additive-aware premium consumers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dongatotequila
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dongatotequila/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/Don-Gato-Tequila-61558204643122
• Instagraminstagram.com/dongatotequila
• TikToktiktok.com/@dongatoofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dongatotequila

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Don Gato Tequila