Kendall Jenner’s family takes the holidays very seriously. There’s the annual Christmas Eve party, which in the past has seen a performance by Sia and a giant snow run with Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton whizzing by. Recently, Kylie Jenner shared a video from her towering two-story tree, which made her ornaments look like tiny specks of glitter. And so, runway-stalking Jenner is getting into the celebrations in her own way with tequila.
After launching her 818 Tequila last year, the model is launching her first holiday product: Toffee and Tequila, a chocolate bar in collaboration with Compartés Chocolatier. The alcoholic confection is enriched with the brand’s Reposado offering. Its milk chocolate base is spiced up with toffee, sea salt flakes and hints of vanilla and caramel.
This is the first tequila bar for compartments. The Los Angeles-based gourmet brand, which dates back to 1950, boasts a list of celebrity customers and was recently featured in an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Last year, Chrissy Teigen launched a line of Compartés candy bars inspired by her family. (See: the carrot cake bar, a nod to the cake at their wedding John legend.)
Jenner launched the liquor brand in Spring 2021, just as her siblings were moving into clothing and cosmetics. The current 818 range includes tequila blanco, reposado and añejo with prices ranging from $45 to $69. Jenner also recently launched Eight Reserve, a premium eight-year-old añejo priced at $200 with an ornate bottle that doubles as a handy home decor item.
The tequila is made in Amatitán in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which is known for its distilleries. That’s where the industry is agave shortage and rising production costs, however, there has been some criticism of tequila brands from celebrities, of which there are now many: George Clooney founded Casamigos in 2013 with Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. It was later sold to Diageo for $1 billion and was named that year fastest growing spirits brand. Dwayne Johnson also entered the industry in 2020 with his Teremana tequila.
Perhaps in response, 818 partnered with the nonprofit organization Holy to start the 818 Bricks Program, which will make bricks from leftover agave fiber, which will then be used to build community infrastructure in the region. It is also currently working on B Corporation certification, which is awarded to for-profit companies with high standards of “social and environmental performance”. (Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s are among the existing B Corps.)
“As tequila continues to rise in popularity, this collaboration demonstrates how perfect our delicious 818 Reposado is for both gifting and meeting people you love,” Jenner said in a press release. Jonathan Grahm, creative director and head chocolate maker at Compartés, said, “This toffee tequila bar is warming, festive and evokes thoughts of a magical holiday evening with every bite.”
The Compartés 818 Toffee and Tequila candy bar is officially available online for $9.95. Buy it in advance.