Chinaco has the distinction of being the first "boutique tequila" to enter the US market in 1983. Robert Denton was responsible for bringing this tequila as well as El Tesoro to the States and in affect starting the rumblings of the "Tequila Boom" of the 80's. Prior to the introduction of Chinaco, Herradura was really the only 100% agave product available in the USA. Chinaco is produced in the state of Tamaulipas in Eastern Mexico. Before the release of the hand blown artisan bottles pictured above, Chinaco arrived in round bottles wrapped in cellophane.

Robert Denton & Company, Ltd. was the importer of both Chinaco and El Tesoro de Don Felipe and remained listed as the sole importer for years, even after Mr. Denton actually sold his interest in these products to industry giant, Jim Beam Brands Worldwide. Back to the days before Jim Beam ever handled Chinaco Preiss Imports was the California distributor. In 2005 Germán González of Tequila Chinaco absolved his relationship with Jim Beam and worked out a new deal with long time friend Henry Preiss of Preiss Imports.