For the Love of Tequila: Cardenas Legacy

Two dudes and a love for tequila – that’s the short and sweet story behind Cardenas Legacy, a locally owned and award-winning tequila company that has made strides in the community and nationwide since its inception in 2019.
It started when founder Chris Cardenas spent some time living in Mexico himself, where he took an interest in tequila production and crossed paths with the Master Distiller, Francisco Gonzalez, Jr., a well-known and reputable entity in the business. After doing his research, Chris was ready to jump into the world of tequila to make a name for himself, with the guidance of Francisco; the only thing that was missing, though, was the funding for his mission.
Enter Dennis Sugasawara, his now Vice President and business partner. The two met by chance when Chris had visited the bank hoping to secure a loan to jump start his tequila business, which was then in its beginning stages. A banker happened to introduce the two of them, and Dennis knew right away that Chris’ vision was the perfect investment.
“It’s more of a brother-type relationship than just a partnership,” says Dennis. “We’ve been with each other three years now, so we’ve developed a lot of shortcuts and learned how to work together efficiently.”
The most important thing for the duo is that they’re not just another big-name, corporate chain, faceless tequila company. They’re rooted right here in Santa Clarita, working out of their home offices, and they work hard to participate in and give back to the community that they love.
You can find Cardenas Legacy tequila at countless SCV events throughout the year, including nonprofit events hosted by organizations like Circle of Hope, the WISH Foundation, and many more.
“We want people to have the chance to try our tequila for themselves,” says Chris. “Lots of people have had bad experiences with tequila, but we want them to taste our formula and change their perception of it.”
Their tequila recipe is one of a kind, and has amassed an impressive list of accolades in the few years that they’ve been on the scene. Cardenas Legacy tequila has earned a 90 rating from Tequila & Spirits, and they’ve also brought home silver and bronze medals from the San Francisco World Spirit Competition.
For a new brand, it’s a huge deal to win so many awards and honors – and this is just the beginning for the brand.
Cardenas Legacy is currently in the process of rebranding, having previously been known as Anger Management Tequila, but the love of tequila and the uniqueness of the recipe will remain the same – as will Dennis and Chris’ dedication to bringing the best tequila to every person they serve.
“We want to be the first tequila choice in Santa Clarita,” says Chris. “We’re a brotherhood, and our company is going to be run like a family. That’s what we want to bring to the table.”
You can learn more about Cardenas Legacy online at http://cardenaslegacytequila.com, and look out for them at various events throughout Santa Clarita.

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