818 Limited Edition Eight Añejo Reserve Tequila represents the most mature and luxurious expression in Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila collection.
Produced in Jalisco, Mexico, Eight Reserve combines Añejo and Extra Añejo tequilas matured for between one and eight years in French and American oak barrels. The result is a full-bodied sipping tequila with cooked agave, vanilla, cinnamon, dried berries, toasted nuts, honey and praline flavours.
The liquid is presented in a striking handmade ceramic decanter produced by artisans in Pachuca, Mexico. Shaped like the number eight, the bottle transforms the release into a distinctive gift and display piece as well as a premium aged tequila.
What Is 818 Eight Reserve Tequila?
Eight Reserve is an ultra-premium aged tequila created by 818 Tequila, the brand founded by Kendall Jenner.
Rather than being drawn from one uniform parcel of spirit, it is a carefully constructed blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo tequilas. The youngest component has been matured for approximately one year, while the oldest has spent up to eight years in oak.
The different ages are brought together to combine the freshness and cooked-agave character of younger tequila with the deeper vanilla, spice, dried fruit and oak flavours developed through longer maturation.
Presented in a 70cl bottle at 40% ABV, 818 Eight Reserve is designed primarily as a sipping tequila for special occasions.
Who Founded 818 Tequila?
818 Tequila was founded by American model and entrepreneur Kendall Jenner and officially launched in 2021.
The name comes from the 818 telephone area code associated with the San Fernando Valley in California, including the area around Calabasas. Jenner chose the number as a reference to home, while the tequila itself is produced in Jalisco, Mexico.
818 works with local farms and tequila producers in Jalisco, using 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Los Valles region. The brand’s range now includes Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and the premium Eight Reserve blend.
Explore the complete 818 Tequila collection at HTFW.
Produced from 100% Blue Weber Agave
Like the other expressions in the 818 range, Eight Reserve begins with 100% Blue Weber agave sourced from Jalisco.
The agaves are left to mature for approximately six to seven years before being harvested by skilled jimadores. Reaching full maturity allows the plants to develop the concentration of natural sugars required for fermentation and distillation.
The harvested agave hearts, known as piñas, are then cooked in traditional ovens for more than 30 hours. Slow cooking converts the agave’s complex carbohydrates into fermentable sugars while developing the rich cooked-agave flavour found throughout the finished tequila.
Traditional Tahona Extraction
Once cooked, the agave is crushed to release its juice.
818 uses motorised stone tahonas weighing approximately 800 kilograms. A tahona is a large stone wheel traditionally used to crush cooked agave fibres and extract their sweet juice.
The extracted liquid, known as mosto, is fermented in a combination of wood and stainless-steel tanks. Agave fibres from the tahona process are retained during fermentation, while native yeast helps develop a more aromatic spirit.
The fermented liquid is then distilled twice in copper alembic pot stills before the tequila intended for ageing is transferred into oak barrels.
A Blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo Tequila
The defining feature of Eight Reserve is its blend of differently aged tequilas.
The composition includes one-year-old Añejo alongside Extra Añejo components aged for several years, with the oldest tequila reaching up to eight years of maturation.
Under Mexican tequila regulations:
- Reposado must be matured in oak for at least two months.
- Añejo must be matured for at least one year.
- Extra Añejo must be matured for at least three years.
Mexican regulations also state that a blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo tequila is classified as Añejo. This is why Eight Reserve can contain very old Extra Añejo components while still being presented as an Añejo Reserve.
Is 818 Eight Reserve an Eight-Year-Old Tequila?
Eight Reserve is not technically an eight-year-old tequila.
The phrase “aged up to eight years” means that the oldest component in the blend has been matured for eight years. Other elements are younger, beginning with Añejo tequila aged for approximately one year.
This distinction is important because an age statement normally refers to the youngest spirit in a bottle. Eight Reserve instead uses a combination of ages to create its intended balance of fresh agave, mature oak, fruit and spice.
The eight in the name also connects the expression with the wider 818 identity and the number-eight shape of its ceramic decanter.
Matured in French and American Oak
The aged components used in Eight Reserve are matured in both French and American oak barrels.
American oak is commonly associated with flavours such as:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Coconut
- Honey
- Sweet baking spice
- Toasted wood
French oak can contribute:
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Toasted nuts
- Darker spice
- Dried fruit
- Tannin and structure
Combining the two types of oak helps create a broader flavour profile than relying on one cask style alone. American oak supports the tequila’s sweeter vanilla and caramel character, while French oak introduces spice, texture and additional complexity.
The extended maturation also softens the spirit and gives Eight Reserve its full body, copper-toned colour and prolonged finish.
The Handmade Eight-Shaped Decanter
Eight Reserve is immediately recognisable from its unusual ceramic bottle.
The decanter is handmade by local artisans in Pachuca, Mexico, and shaped to resemble the number eight. The design represents a milestone in the history of 818 while also suggesting continuity and infinity.
Its rounded central opening makes the bottle highly distinctive on a home bar or spirits shelf. Because the presentation is central to the release, it also gives Eight Reserve considerable appeal as a premium tequila gift or collectable celebrity spirit.
The ceramic construction provides a noticeably different presentation from the glass bottles used for 818 Blanco, Reposado and Añejo.
What Does 818 Eight Reserve Taste Like?
Eight Reserve has a rich, sweet and oak-influenced profile, but cooked agave remains present beneath the vanilla, fruit and spice.
The aroma begins with vanilla, cinnamon and clove, followed by toasted nuts, honey, orange peel and black cherry. The palate develops through cooked agave, dried berries and praline before moving into a long, silky finish.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Light amber with copper highlights and a full-bodied appearance.
Nose: Vanilla, clove and cinnamon with toasted nuts, honey, orange peel and ripe black cherry.
Palate: Cooked agave, creamy vanilla and warming cinnamon, followed by dried berries, praline, roasted nuts and measured oak.
Finish: Long and silky with lingering fruit, sweet spice, vanilla and gently drying oak.
The combination of sweetness, fruit and spice makes it particularly approachable for whisky, Cognac and aged rum drinkers exploring premium tequila.
An Award-Winning Reserve Tequila
818 reports that its tequila range has received more than 50 tasting awards across 14 international competitions.
Eight Reserve has specifically received a Double Gold award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, recognising the quality and balance of its aged blend.
The expression was introduced in 2022 as the premium extension of the original Blanco, Reposado and Añejo collection. Its launch followed the brand’s rapid growth during its first year in the American market.
How to Drink 818 Eight Reserve
Eight Reserve has been created primarily for slow sipping rather than high-volume mixing.
Its mature oak, vanilla, dried fruit and spice can be enjoyed in several ways:
- Neat at room temperature
- With a few drops of water
- Over one large ice cube
- In a premium Tequila Old Fashioned
- Paired with dark chocolate
- Served after dinner
- Enjoyed alongside rich savoury food
The best starting point is a neat 25ml or 35ml measure in a tequila or whisky tasting glass.
Allowing the tequila to rest for several minutes after pouring gives the alcohol time to settle and allows more of its orange peel, black cherry, toasted nut and spice aromas to emerge.
Serve 818 Eight Reserve Neat
Serving the tequila neat provides the clearest view of the different ages and oak types used in the blend.
Method
- Pour 25ml to 35ml into a tasting glass.
- Allow the tequila to rest for two or three minutes.
- Smell gently with the glass slightly below the nose.
- Take a small first sip to prepare the palate.
- Return to the tequila slowly to explore its fruit, agave, spice and oak.
A narrow tasting glass will concentrate the aromas more effectively than a wide shot glass.
Eight Reserve is not designed to be consumed quickly as a conventional tequila shot. The long maturation and layered blend are better suited to slower drinking.
Can You Serve It Over Ice?
Yes. One large cube of clear ice can soften the tequila and gradually reveal more of its vanilla, honey, praline and dried-fruit flavours.
Large ice melts more slowly than several small cubes, helping to control dilution.
As the tequila cools, its alcohol becomes less prominent and the sweeter oak-derived notes move forward. However, very cold temperatures can temporarily reduce some of its more delicate aromas.
Drinkers wishing to preserve the greatest level of complexity may prefer to add only a few drops of still water rather than a full cube of ice.
Make an 818 Eight Reserve Old Fashioned
A carefully prepared Old Fashioned can complement the tequila without covering its mature character.
Ingredients
- 50ml 818 Eight Reserve Tequila
- 5ml agave syrup
- Two dashes of aromatic or chocolate bitters
- One large ice cube
- Orange peel
Method
- Add the tequila, agave syrup and bitters to a mixing glass.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until chilled and lightly diluted.
- Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
- Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink.
- Garnish with the peel.
Agave syrup reinforces the tequila’s natural cooked-agave flavour, while orange peel complements the citrus notes already present in Eight Reserve.
Use the syrup carefully. The tequila already contains considerable vanilla, honey and praline sweetness from its maturation, so only a small amount is required.
What Food Pairs with Eight Reserve?
818 recommends both savoury and sweet pairings for Eight Reserve.
Savoury Pairings
The tequila can be served with:
- Truffle fries
- Aged steak
- Fatty cuts of beef
- Spiced or toasted nuts
- Fine cured ham
Rich meat and cured ham work well with the tequila’s oak, spice and dried-fruit character, while salt helps contrast its sweeter vanilla and honey notes.
Sweet Pairings
Recommended desserts include:
- Dark chocolate
- Crème brûlée
- Espresso
- Black cherry cheesecake
Dark chocolate complements the toasted oak and praline flavours without adding excessive sweetness. Black cherry cheesecake mirrors the fruit found in the aroma, while espresso provides a bitter contrast to the tequila’s vanilla and honey character.
818 Eight Reserve vs 818 Añejo
818 Añejo Tequila provides the closest comparison within the core range.
Both expressions use 100% Blue Weber agave and maturation in French and American oak, but Eight Reserve includes considerably older components.
| 818 Añejo | 818 Eight Reserve |
|---|---|
| Core-range aged tequila | Ultra-premium reserve blend |
| Aged for more than one year | Blend aged between one and eight years |
| French and American oak | French and American oak |
| Caramel, orange peel and toasted nuts | Vanilla, black cherry, praline and deeper spice |
| Standard glass bottle | Handmade ceramic decanter |
| Designed for sipping and cocktails | Primarily designed for slow sipping |
| 40% ABV | 40% ABV |
818 Añejo offers an accessible introduction to the brand’s aged style, while Eight Reserve provides greater depth, maturity and presentation.
The reserve is the stronger choice for a special gift or after-dinner sipping experience. The standard Añejo may be preferable for regular drinking and cocktails.
Explore the Complete 818 Tequila Range
The wider 818 collection allows drinkers to compare how Blue Weber agave develops through different periods of oak maturation.
818 Blanco
818 Blanco Tequila is the freshest and most agave-led expression.
It offers sweet agave, vanilla, tropical fruit, citrus, almond and toasted coconut flavours. Its bright profile makes it particularly well suited to Margaritas, Palomas and other citrus-led cocktails.
818 Reposado
818 Reposado Tequila is matured in French and American oak for at least three months.
It combines cooked agave with vanilla, honey, caramel, toasted almond, dried fruit and pecan notes. It can be enjoyed neat but retains enough freshness for premium cocktails.
818 Añejo
818 Añejo Tequila develops deeper caramel, toasted nut, orange peel, vanilla and spice flavours through longer oak maturation.
It provides a natural step between the younger Reposado and the more complex Eight Reserve blend.
Explore all four expressions in the 818 Tequila range.
Eight Reserve vs Other Luxury Tequilas
Eight Reserve sits within a growing category of premium aged tequila presented in distinctive bottles.
Don Julio 1942
Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila is one of the most recognisable luxury tequilas.
It offers a smooth profile of cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, oak and warming spice in a tall presentation bottle.
Don Julio 1942 is an established benchmark within the premium Añejo category, while Eight Reserve stands apart through its multi-age blend and handmade ceramic decanter.
Clase Azul Añejo
Clase Azul Añejo Tequila is another Mexican aged tequila presented in a handcrafted ceramic decanter.
It uses Blue Weber agave and extended oak maturation to create a rich style with agave, vanilla, spice and mature wood.
Clase Azul is known for individually crafted decorative decanters, making it one of the closest alternatives for someone prioritising both the liquid and bottle presentation.
Patrón El Alto
Patrón El Alto Reposado Tequila is a premium blend made predominantly with Extra Añejo tequila alongside Añejo and Reposado components.
It offers another useful comparison for drinkers interested in multi-age tequila blends, although its balance and cask profile differ from Eight Reserve.
Browse the complete HTFW collection of Añejo tequila to explore further aged expressions.
Is 818 Eight Reserve a Celebrity Tequila?
Yes. 818 was founded by Kendall Jenner and is one of the most prominent celebrity-backed tequila names.
However, Eight Reserve is not simply a standard tequila placed in a celebrity-branded bottle. It has been developed as a distinct blend of one-year-old Añejo and older Extra Añejo components, with its own maturation structure and ceramic presentation.
The celebrity connection gives the bottle additional appeal for Kendall Jenner and Kardashian-Jenner fans, but its production and flavour profile also position it as a serious premium sipping tequila.
Explore other artist, actor and musician-backed bottles in the HTFW collection of celebrity spirits.
Is Eight Reserve a Good Gift?
Eight Reserve is particularly well suited to premium gifting because both the tequila and the decanter feel designed for special occasions.
It is a strong choice for:
- Tequila enthusiasts
- Kendall Jenner fans
- Collectors of celebrity spirits
- Luxury spirits drinkers
- A milestone birthday
- Christmas
- An engagement or wedding
- A retirement gift
- A housewarming
- A special anniversary
- Collectors of ceramic decanters
- Whisky or Cognac drinkers exploring tequila
The bottle can remain on display after the tequila has been consumed, giving it lasting decorative appeal.
Its eight-shaped presentation may also make it especially suitable for an eighth anniversary, although the liquid itself should not be mistaken for a uniform eight-year-old tequila.
Is the Bottle Collectable?
The unusual decanter gives Eight Reserve greater collectable appeal than a conventional core-range tequila bottle.
Important considerations for collectors include:
- Keeping the ceramic free from chips or cracks
- Preserving the original closure
- Retaining any accompanying presentation materials
- Avoiding direct sunlight
- Storing the bottle upright
- Keeping it at a stable room temperature
- Preventing damage to the label and printed details
Future value cannot be guaranteed, and the bottle is best purchased because of its design, tequila and connection with 818 rather than purely as an investment.
Those buying it primarily for collection may choose to keep it sealed, while drinkers can enjoy the tequila and retain the empty ceramic decanter afterwards.
818 Tequila and Sustainability
818 places sustainability and its relationship with communities in Jalisco at the centre of its brand positioning.
The company states that its production partner uses biomass and solar power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It also works with S.A.C.R.E.D. to transform agave by-products into adobe bricks for community construction projects.
The bricks combine spent agave fibre with clay-rich soil, sand and other natural fibres. This gives material that would otherwise be treated as waste a practical second use.
818 is also part of 1% for the Planet, through which it contributes a percentage of annual revenue to environmental partners.
Why 818 Eight Reserve Stands Out
Eight Reserve offers:
- 100% Blue Weber agave tequila
- Production in Jalisco, Mexico
- A blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo components
- Tequilas matured from one to eight years
- French and American oak ageing
- Cooked agave, vanilla and cinnamon flavours
- Black cherry, orange peel and dried berry notes
- Toasted nuts, honey and praline
- A full-bodied, silky texture
- A handmade ceramic decanter
- An award-winning blend
- A direct connection with Kendall Jenner’s 818 brand
- Strong gifting and display appeal
- A balanced 40% ABV
It occupies a useful position between luxury tequila, celebrity spirit and collectable bottle.
Why Buy 818 Eight Reserve at HTFW?
Hard To Find Whisky stocks a broad selection of premium and collectable tequila alongside rare whisky, rum, Cognac, gin and other luxury spirits.
Customers ordering from HTFW benefit from:
- Authentic products sourced from established suppliers
- Secure, purpose-designed bottle packaging
- UK and worldwide delivery options
- Same-day dispatch on qualifying orders placed before 4:30pm
- Free personalised gift messages
- Access to limited and unusual releases
- A family-run drinks specialist trading since 1991
- A Birmingham retail store for in-person shopping
The current HTFW listing contains 70cl of 818 Eight Reserve at 40% ABV.
Explore the complete selection of premium tequila and Mexican spirits available from HTFW.
Final Thoughts
818 Eight Reserve is the most ambitious expression in Kendall Jenner’s tequila collection.
Its combination of Añejo and Extra Añejo tequilas brings together the freshness of cooked agave with the deeper vanilla, cinnamon, black cherry, praline and toasted oak flavours developed through extended maturation.
The use of French and American oak adds further complexity, while the handmade ceramic decanter ensures that the presentation feels every bit as considered as the spirit inside.
Eight Reserve should not be interpreted as a conventional eight-year age statement. Instead, it is a layered blend containing tequila matured for between one and eight years, carefully assembled to balance maturity with recognisable agave character.
Served neat, paired with dark chocolate or poured into a carefully made Tequila Old Fashioned, it offers a luxurious introduction to the upper end of the 818 collection.
Shop 818 Limited Edition Eight Añejo Reserve Tequila now at HTFW.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 818 Eight Reserve?
It is an ultra-premium blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo tequilas created by Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand.
Is 818 Eight Reserve an eight-year-old tequila?
No. It contains tequila matured for between one and eight years. Eight years refers to the oldest component in the blend.
Why is it classified as Añejo?
Mexican regulations state that a blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo tequila is classified as Añejo.
What is Eight Reserve made from?
It is produced from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in Jalisco, Mexico.
Where is it produced?
The tequila is produced in Jalisco, while its ceramic decanter is handmade by artisans in Pachuca, Mexico.
What type of barrels are used?
The tequila is matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels.
What does 818 Eight Reserve taste like?
It offers cooked agave, vanilla, cinnamon, dried berries and praline, with aromas of clove, toasted nuts, honey, orange peel and black cherry.
What is its alcohol percentage?
It is bottled at 40% ABV.
How large is the HTFW bottle?
The HTFW release contains 70cl.
How should Eight Reserve be served?
It is best enjoyed neat, with a few drops of water or over one large ice cube. It can also be used in a premium Tequila Old Fashioned.
Is the bottle ceramic?
Yes. The number-eight-shaped decanter is handmade from ceramic by artisans in Pachuca.
Is 818 Tequila owned by Kendall Jenner?
818 Tequila was founded by Kendall Jenner, who remains closely associated with the brand.
Is it a good gift?
Yes. Its aged tequila, celebrity connection and unusual handmade decanter make it particularly suitable for milestone gifts and collectors.