Tequila Centinela Expands U.S. Presence Through Strategic Distribution Partnerships; Builds on more than 120 yrs of heritage
PRESS RELEASE posted by Tequila Centinela
MIAMI – October 6, 2026 – Tequila Centinela, a cornerstone of Mexican tequila heritage and a family-owned tequila house with more than 120 years of history, is expanding its U.S. presence through a growing network of strategic distribution partnerships, reinforcing its long-term commitment to building the brand in the U.S. and bringing its heritage and craftsmanship to more drinkers across the country.
Centinela has partnered with Reyes Beverage Group in Florida and Texas, Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors in New York, and Johnson Brothers in Nevada, significantly expanding the tequila house’s presence across key U.S. markets. The expanded distribution network is complemented by broad e-commerce availability through tequilacentinela.shop, which currently ships to consumers across eligible U.S. states.
“These partnerships are an important step in our long-term commitment to building Centinela in the United States,” said Armando González, Vice President and Managing Director USA for Tequila Centinela. “Our story begins in Arandas in 1904, and our focus is on bringing that heritage and the quality of our tequila to more consumers, bartenders and retail partners. We are building recognition market by market, with partners who share our commitment to the brand and its future.”
Centinela has also expanded distribution through Capitol-Husting in Wisconsin, Savannah Distributing Co. in Georgia, Morales Beverage Group in California and South Carolina, and InterTrade in Illinois. Distribution through Handcrafted Wine & Spirits in Nebraska will begin later this month.
A Cornerstone of Mexican Tequila Heritage
Centinela’s story began in 1904 in Arandas, Jalisco, in the heart of Los Altos and a region that would become synonymous with some of Mexico’s most celebrated tequilas. Its roots trace to one of the first tequila distilleries established in Arandas, and more than 120 years later, Centinela remains 100% family-owned and deeply rooted in the place and traditions where it began.
That heritage continues to shape how Centinela makes tequila today. Estate-grown agave is slow-roasted in traditional masonry ovens, and Centinela’s tequilas are produced entirely without additives, preserving methods passed down through generations while operating at significant scale. Centinela holds approximately 60,000 to 68,000 American white-oak barrels, giving the tequila house one of the largest aging capacities in the industry and supporting an extensive portfolio of aged expressions.
The name Centinela translates to “sentinel” or “guard,” a reflection of the tequila house’s role as a steward of those traditions. Known as the “Guardian of True Tequila,” Centinela is carrying more than a century of tequila-making heritage forward as it introduces its story and portfolio to a broader U.S. audience.
Centinela’s longstanding commitment to quality is earning recognition from leading U.S. spirits critics. For example, Tequila Centinela Tres Años 1904 Añejo recently received 96 points from Wine Enthusiast, a notable distinction for the more than 120-year-old tequila house.
The Centinela portfolio offers a broad range of expressions, from Blanco and Reposado to Cristalino Añejo and Extra Añejo, each rooted in the traditions that have defined the tequila house for generations.
The Tequila Centinela Family of Expressions
Clásico Blanco: Unaged and bottled straight off the still. Medium-bodied raw agave with light spice, pepper and citrus.
Clásico Reposado: Rested 4 to 6 months in American oak. Cooked agave, subtle fruit, vanilla and hints of white oak.
Premium Blanco: Smooth cooked agave with orange peel, pineapple and subtle herbal notes.
Premium Reposado: Aged 8 to 11 months in American oak. Cooked agave with oak, cinnamon, toasted coconut, vanilla and almond.
Eterno Cristalino Añejo: Aged 12 to 18 months, then charcoal-filtered to crystal clarity. Oak and vanilla over cooked agave, finishing with dried fruit and jasmine.
Tres Años 1904 Añejo: Centinela’s flagship extra añejo, aged 36 to 48 months, the longest rest in the line. Baked agave honey, wet earth, caramel, toasted nuts and oak. Rated 96 points by Wine Enthusiast.
About Tequila Centinela
Tequila Centinela is a heritage tequila house founded in 1904 in Arandas, Jalisco, the heart of Mexico’s Highland Tequila region, and remains family-owned to this day. Every bottle is crafted with estate-grown agave, slow-roasted in traditional masonry ovens and made entirely additive-free. Known as the “Guardian of True Tequila,” Centinela is now available nationally online at tequilacentinela.shop, and through retail and hospitality partners across Florida, Texas, New York, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, California, South Carolina, Illinois and Nebraska.
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