He may be best known for his lightning-fast reflexes behind the stumps, but off the field Adam Gilchrist is channeling the same precision and passion into his new tequila brand, El Arquero.
Crafted in Mexico with authenticity and care, El Arquero blends tradition, smooth flavour and a playful energy that stands out.
From Passion to Production
For Gilchrist, it was never about simply putting a name on a bottle. He wanted something real, tequila made in Mexico, honouring its history, using only agave, yeast and water, with no additives. Partnering with the right distillery was crucial to ensure every bottle reflected that vision. “I didn’t want to just slap my name on a bottle,” Gilchrist explains. “If I was going to do it, it had to be authentic, tequila that’s truly made in Mexico, with respect for its history and traditions.” He says.
That commitment meant no shortcuts. From the start, he insisted on a pure process tequila and to achieve that, he needed the right partners, people who shared the same belief that quality should come before everything else.
Finding Home in Jalisco
That search led him to the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, where he partnered with Destiladora de Los Altos (NOM 1412), a third-generation, family-owned distillery that also happens to be the original home of Cazadores.
With more than 50 years of experience, the Banuelos family crafts tequila the traditional way: small batches, hand-harvested agave, and generations of know-how passed down like a family heirloom. It was exactly what Gilchrist had been looking for, a partnership built on trust, respect, and craft.
What Makes El Arquero Different
Every element of El Arquero’s process is intentional. About a fifth of each batch rests in American oak barrels for 20 days, just long enough to take the edge off without masking the natural agave flavour. This unique method softens the alcohol burn and brings out delicate notes of citrus, pepper and creamy vanilla.
Another defining choice is the alcohol volume. At 38% ABV, El Arquero sits slightly below the standard 40% found in most markets. This isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about honouring Mexican tradition of consuming tequila at that level. “In Mexico, tequila is meant to be enjoyed, not endured,” Gilchrist says. “We wanted something smooth, clean, and easy to sip.”
The result is a tequila that invites you in rather than challenges you.
The star hopes people will be surprised by how approachable his tequilas are, a far cry from the harsh spirits many remember from nights out in their twenties.
A Name with Meaning
The brand’s name, El Arquero, was born in a relaxed pub brainstorming session with wife, Mel, and a group of friends. Translating roughly to “the archer”, “goalkeeper,” or “the keeper”, it’s a playful nod to the idea of being a “keeper of the spirit.” But for Gilchrist, it represents something bigger.
“It’s about keeping the spirit alive, of good times, of friendship, of enjoying the moment,” he says.
That ethos extends to the brand’s design. The logo, a sun worshipper, captures the shared love of the outdoors found in both Australian and Mexican cultures. It reflects beaches, fiestas, open skies and that universal feeling of connection that comes with sunshine and shared laughter.
The Team Behind the Tequila
Gilchrist is the first to admit that El Arquero wouldn’t exist without the right people around him. His team includes his wife Mel, whose eye for design helped shape the brand’s aesthetic, and a small group of business partners who each bring their own strengths to the table: Eddie Brook from Cape Byron Distillery, Dan Fitzgerald from Fourth Wave Wine, Stephen Atkinson, John Eastham, and a handful of creative collaborators.
“It’s been like assembling a band,” Gilchrist says. “Everyone has their own instrument, and together it just works.”
Sipping the Moment
Gilchrist’s favourite way to drink El Arquero is simple, neat, or over ice with a wedge of lime. But he’s also partial to a cocktail they’ve called the “Maximo”: tequila, soda, pineapple juice, lime wedge and salted rim. The drink is named after a Mexican farmer, Maxamillian, and it’s as refreshing as it sounds, bright, balanced and just a little bit cheeky.
“It’s the kind of drink that makes you slow down and enjoy where you are,” Gilchrist says. “That’s what tequila’s really about, connection, celebration and shared moments.”
Design That Tells a Story
Even the bottle tells part of the story. Its distinctive black smoking band was inspired by the rubber bands used in distilleries to hold sample labels, a small but meaningful nod to the craft’s humble, hands-on roots. The look is raw yet refined, authentic yet modern, perfectly mirroring the balance El Arquero aims to strike.
And the story doesn’t end here. They have also released a Reposado, rested five months in oak and a new release already in the works – Añejo aged between 12 and 36 months, set to launch within the year. Each one deepens the exploration of flavour, heritage and artistry.
Looking Ahead
For Gilchrist, El Arquero isn’t just a product, it’s a passion project. It’s about honouring Mexico’s spirit-making traditions while sharing them with the world in a way that feels approachable, joyful and real.
“Tequila is about people,” he says simply. “It’s about good company, good conversation and good times. If El Arquero can bring people together, even for a moment, then that’s success.”
Smooth, honest and made with care, El Arquero captures what tequila should be: a spirit with soul.
We’re all in this tequila.
