Award-Winning Tequila Making a Home in Canton
Go in almost any restaurant in Canton these days, and you will find CaliFino Tequila on the menu. The popular craft tequila has made a local name for itself since the California-based company located its Southeast operation to The Mill on Etowah just a couple of years ago.
![Califino Tequila](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0f4c4a6e77a914bcfe040e2c7a5999e2 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2fb110530321a80a972f3ba646b44429 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f98c650c6ecece5d16811cf0e92ba8d4 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=38e3c1aa0c913dbdf7c16a6e20a2e54c 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=b35a67f542612a8260a66de081fc6932 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=dd8285a52a8c16e73f4372555f2a7a0e 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=b0155214886b2713b8d6947ac1f4cc43 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=3532971afc43ba6508f089b8d745a96a 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=a789a8bf2e2eceaebf7e19a541e2ff76 3546w)
Now the company is teaming up with Eagle Rock Distribution Company to bring the tasty tequila to all of Georgia. Whether its tequila to mix a mean margarita, or a slow-sipping, award-winning, palette-pleasing after dinner drink, CaliFino Tequila has a product to fit the bill.
“CaliFino has made Canton a home in the Southeast,” says Jose Luna. His father’s tequila recipe was the inspiration for the high-end tequilas made today by CaliFino. “It’s a good fit for both companies and everyone is excited. I will work with Eagle Rock Distribution closely and continue to get more involved in Canton, to create jobs, and bring events to community.” The company first established their presence in Canton in 2020.
![](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-2_2024-02-02-222844_shwm.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=47.49%2018.87&q=80&w=320&s=865f05dc139a55ac4c46603fb1b3a813 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-2_2024-02-02-222844_shwm.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=47.49%2018.87&q=80&w=540&s=7a351ef02b13ad9463bdc814463d0a0b 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-2_2024-02-02-222844_shwm.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=47.49%2018.87&q=80&w=768&s=264d5d89ce66765b2fbceca6214cee7d 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-2_2024-02-02-222844_shwm.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=47.49%2018.87&q=80&w=1024&s=95f55b9d293500466a52be61e3fab4c6 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-2_2024-02-02-222844_shwm.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=47.49%2018.87&q=80&w=1200&s=cf29d7f0e159f0bc1b8fc823e9b7bd8c 1055w)
CaliFino makes four premium tequilas, all from blue agave distilled and aged in Mexico, where the liquor is made. Each one of the four expressions starts with the family recipe and then is defined by its aging process, which leads to individualized qualities.
Blanco is young and is not aged in barrels. It is defined by a vibrant, bright color, crisp scent, and refreshing finish. CaliFino Reposado, aged one year in an American oak barrel, has a golden, light amber color, with a warm, buttery, spice taste and creamy, honey finish.
![Califino Tequila](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=59.06%2059.88&q=80&w=320&s=8cd0fb326ee58d2a7f038ef5e8ee62f8 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=59.06%2059.88&q=80&w=540&s=0b456747ab737fe0bf3f7b5cff77f44f 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=59.06%2059.88&q=80&w=768&s=47dff4f520fe8b810e13efdea5267c11 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=59.06%2059.88&q=80&w=1024&s=aeb760d79437524285e3757f2a26299a 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=59.06%2059.88&q=80&w=1200&s=89bd2a15c77ce2e736e613ac850af99f 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=59.06%2059.88&q=80&w=1440&s=82c9f252036938cbba5b2168973b7239 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=59.06%2059.88&q=80&w=1920&s=c733a2cb1320b2695b7e87894678c473 1708w)
CaliFino Añejo, aged three years, in a white oak barrel, sips more like a whiskey, Jose says, and is a warm, full-bodied tequila that has won many awards. Extra Añejo is aged seven years in the white oak barrel, and then one year in a French oak cognac barrel to give it a deep, rich, dark wood color, a sweet caramel scent with layers of oak, caramel, and a warm, full-body finish.
One of the ways CaliFino separates itself from other tequilas is that the company lets the agave plants used to make the tequila grow for seven years before harvesting, allowing the plants to produce enough sugar that no added sweetener is needed in the process, Jose points out with pride.
![Califino Tequila](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=53.2%2027.68&q=80&w=320&s=8913e8c38f908b749ef46f1f1b4ad101 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=53.2%2027.68&q=80&w=540&s=d48995aa021c70e2b6c4595aa96278ae 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=53.2%2027.68&q=80&w=768&s=cf1936646df08e376e3a47fa6e8e4066 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=53.2%2027.68&q=80&w=1024&s=bb7f7edb2eb2027d9eb7265a06928bb9 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=53.2%2027.68&q=80&w=1200&s=1dbe049297b24315c5f3b67ddb6191e9 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=53.2%2027.68&q=80&w=1440&s=82fa7eda58cd14f25c207bfdbf914f2f 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CaliFino-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=53.2%2027.68&q=80&w=1920&s=c7a81f82f9d4ab2287ef53f6dbac1ab3 1512w)
“With us it is natural, comes from the plant, and the flavors come from the barrel. You can consider our tequila a small batch, we take the right amount of time and follow the right process. We do not take shortcuts,” Jose expounds.“
The Mill on Etowah is where the story began and where the story will continue. It is my responsibility to continue to grow our company. There’s a special connection with Canton and we will continue making good memories here,” Jose promises.
This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.