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We Taste Tested Celebrity-Backed Alcohols at Skimm HQ — Here’s How It Went

Skimm Tested: Celebrity-Backed Alcohol Brands
Design: theSkimm | Images: Avaline Wine, Sprinter, 818
September 26, 2024

Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.

How We Tested...

For this Skimm Tested, we decided to do things a little differently. We asked four HQ’rs — with very distinct cocktail and liquor preferences — to blindly test five celebrity-backed alcohol brands. They sampled everywhere from a few sips to a full shot’s worth and gave us their unfiltered thoughts upon tasting. Welcome to Skimm Tasted.

818 Tequila | Casa Del Sol Tequila
Design: theSkimm | Images: 818, Casa Del Sol

What Liz Tested...

Why Liz Tested...

Liz Smith

Test Results...

  • Casa Del Sol Tequila: Right off the bat, I noticed how smooth this tequila is. I was told the website doesn’t have any cocktail recommendations. I think that’s because it’s meant to be enjoyed on its own, and now I see why. I think this is the perfect tequila to sip poolside or at the beach, or alternatively at a very chic bar. I especially loved that there was no wonky aftertaste. Just simple, smooth, and crisp.

  • 818 Tequila: This is a fun tequila. It has a smokier flavor than Casa Del Sol but doesn’t compromise smoothness. I tried some of it with a mixer of fresh lime and hibiscus syrup, which complemented the tequila perfectly, but I do appreciate that the website has three pages worth of cocktail recommendations. The brand as a whole gives off a younger vibe, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that Kendall Jenner was behind it. 

Fraser & Thompson Whiskey

What Lizzy Tested...

Why Lizzy Tested...

Lizzy Bryce

Test Results...

  • The first two things that stood out to me were the lack of burn and the delicious notes. I like my whiskey to warm me up (especially during cold wintery months) but not burn. This whiskey went down very smoothly. And had notes of sweet fig, blood orange, and just enough caramel and vanilla to keep it smooth. While I really hoped a powerhouse woman would be behind this brand (sorry, not sorry), I was happy to hear that Michael Bublé is behind this one, especially since, legend has it, he sings to each oak barrel for quality taste. Given that this whiskey was giving me holidays-at-the-ski-lodge vibes, I think Mr. Bublé fits in quite well.  

Sprinter Vodka Soda
Design: theSkimm | Image: Sprinter

What Lauren Tested...

Why Lauren Tested...

Lauren LoMenzo

Test Results....

  • Sprinter Vodka Soda: I was pumped to experience a juicier, fruitier taste instead of the maltiness I expected. Normally with a canned bubbly or seltzer, you get this fizzy malt-flavor that just isn’t tasty to me, but not with this vodka soda. It’s incredibly light and smooth which makes me want to take it poolside on my next vacation (or back to my desk after this taste test is over). 

Avaline Wines
Design: theSkimm | Images: Avaline Wines

What Sarai Tested...

Why Sarai Tested...

Sarai Thompson

Test Results....

  • Avaline Red Wine: Simply put, this red feels grown and sexy. It has an elevated taste, and I can tell that it doesn’t have any funky additives or sugar that will set me back a few hours in the morning (you know what I mean). It makes me want to throw on an LBD and sip this on a rooftop with a lover.  

  • Avaline Rosé Wine: This rosé was a pleasant surprise after tasting the red. It’s giving brunch in the sunshine. It’s zesty and sweet without being overpowering. I would pack this in my bag for a girls trip or a bachelorette weekend. Just make sure you have it chilled.  

Sidenotes...

  • Casa Del Sol Tequila: Eva Longoria co-founded this luxury sipping tequila, which is inspired by the Aztec goddess of agave, Mayahuel.

  • 818 Tequila: While Kendall Jenner named this B corp-certified brand after her home’s area code, the tequila is produced in part by local, family-owned farms in Jalisco, Mexico. 

  • Fraser & Thompson Whiskey: Michael Bublé founded this North American whiskey brand in 2023 as an ode to his grandfather. He works with award-winning Master Distiller, Paul Cirka.

  • Sprinter Canned Vodka Soda: Kylie Jenner worked with a beverage development expert to create a 100-calorie canned vodka soda with real fruit juice and zero added sugar. It’s available in four flavors: black cherry, peach, grapefruit, and lime. 

  • Avaline Wines: Cameron Diaz co-founded Avaline with Katherine Power, her friend and founder of Who What Wear. Each bottle is organically farmed and contains no added sugar or other additives.

The Fine Details...

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