The days of Grey Goose and Hpnotiq being name dropped in every other song are a distant memory. These days, those of us who enjoy indulging in some drinky-drinks aren’t just taking anything handed to us. No, most have locked in a go-to brand like Hennessey or Casamigos, or even going as far as to only drink liquor from their favorite Black-owned business.
Over the years, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) alcohol brands have increased, including notable public figures tapping into the growing market. Uncle Waithley’s Vincy Brew Founder Karl Franz Williams told Stateways.com, “BIPOC-owned brands sometimes have to work two or three times as hard to get the same results and opportunities as non-BIPOC brands. That’s why it’s so important that we come together and work together, because there’s strength in numbers.”
One thing must be said: just because a celebrity is attached to an alcohol brand (actually, this applies to any product to be honest) doesn’t make it the best of the bunch. Aside from their investments, their involvement without a doubt amplifies the visibility in terms of marketing. A solid takeaway is that these people of interest have deep pockets and care about their image, so it’s safe to conclude they want the best ingredients when crafting their liquor. Let’s take a look at four Black-owned alcohol brands you need to know.
SirDavis by Beyoncé
Beyoncé continues to expand her black-owned business ventures, and the latest avenue she’s set her eyes on is whiskey. Teaming up with Moët Hennessy, the Houston-born superstar released SirDavis (bottled in Texas in true Bey fashion) to coincide with her 43rd birthday on September 4. Priced at $89.99, it’s described as having a buttery toffee, cinnamon, clove, and classic rye taste. In a statement on the official SirDavis site, Knowles-Carter says, “I’ve always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whiskey and wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling.” This can’t be said for many, but it stands true with Queen Bee: sis has worked extremely hard to build a career and image that is arguably respected worldwide, so we doubt she’d release a whiskey if it wasn’t capable of competing with the best of the best. Not to mention, her husband may know a thing or two about owning an alcohol brand himself.
Anteel Tequila by Nayana and Don Ferguson
Anteel Tequila was founded in 2017 in Detroit, Michigan by Nayana and her husband, Don, with a special story behind her reason for launching the black-owned brand. Nayana is a pancreatic cancer survivor, leading her to be more selective about the foods and drinks she consumes, in addition to looking for healthier spirit options. She is considered to be the world’s first Black woman to co-own a tequila company, opening doors for women of color to follow suit. “I am extremely grateful to be able to create a path for others to follow, where we can create brands that speak to our ingenuity, culture and vision,” she says in an interview with Essence. “It is extremely important to me to make sure that I am helping to inspire women to create … businesses that they are passionate about and not let obstacles deter them.”
D’Ussė by Jay-Z and Michel Casavecchia
Created in one of the oldest Cognac houses in France, D’Ussé was crafted by Michel Casavecchia and founded by Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z. Their vision is “to transcend cognac as we know it by standing for integrity, boldness, freedom, and the elevation of authenticity.” A 750 ml bottle will run you about $44.99 at Total Wine, but in a club or lounge, partygoers will be charged upwards of $350. Much like his wife Beyonce, Jay-Z has built a reputable name for himself as well, many trusting his alcohol brand to deliver rich flavors without a crazy amount of additives. As previously mentioned, some liquor brands have faded from being mentioned, but D’Ussé continues to be mentioned in music to this day.
Ten to One Rum by Marc Farrell
Described as “a contemporary and elevated spirit designed to challenge expectations and reinvigorate the way people taste, experience, and talk about rum,” Ten to One Rum was founded by Marc Farrell, who sought to express his appreciation for the heritage of rum and the part it plays in Caribbean culture. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Farrell wanted to cultivate a rum that was not ignored and continued to raise the bar as other spirits do. He managed to see his visions come to fruition, as Ten to One garnered success at an early stage and caught the attention of Atlanta singer Ciara, who later came on board as an investor, director, and co-owner in 2021. Garnished with a price tag of $43.99 for 750ml, it’s quite affordable for a higher quality rum that happened to win the Platinum medal for “Best Rum” at the LA Spirit Awards in 2022.