Adam Gilchrist Lands at George Banks to Launch El Arquero Tequila

Food & Drink

24 May

We sat down with Cricket Legend Adam Gilchrist in Toowoomba to talk tequila, cricket, and what makes a spirit actually worth drinking.

Written by Sam Kirby.
Photography: Simon Hall + Imagery Provided.
24 May 2026

'll admit upfront: most of my experience with tequila has come from bottles with little hats on them. . . memories of much younger years, and probably not my finest of hours. . .

So when Adam Gilchrist - yes, that Adam Gilchrist - one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen to ever play the game of cricket - came to Toowoomba recently to launch his new premium tequila brand at George Banks, we were all too willing to pull up a chair, sample some spirits, and have our minds changed on why tequila should be our new go-to premium drink.

Consider our minds changed.

A bottle of El Arquero under his arm and the kind of easy warmth that makes you forget you're talking to someone who once dismantled the world's best bowling attacks for a living, ‘Gilly’ gladly walked us through the story over a sipping glass of the Blanco.

The story started, as many good ones do, with Mel. "I've just loved tequila for years and years and years," Gilchrist said. "Always joked about, 'Oh yeah, I'll do a label one day.' 'Then about four years ago, Mel, probably sick of hearing me talk about it’ told me basically to either 'put up, or shut up' And I said, 'Beautiful. Let's go.'"

El Arquero means "the keeper" in Spanish - a nod, naturally, to the man behind the stumps. And of course, it comes as no surprise that for Gilly, just like in his Cricket Career - a man famous for his sportsmanship and credibility - authenticity comes first.

"There were no shortcuts", he adds.

"We were never going to take some tequila and whack our label on it," Gilchrist said. "It was always important that we together with authentic quality distillers to create the flavour profile and tequila that we wanted.

As Adam continues, “This was always about passion, and creating a brand that we were proud of, rather than a celebrity endorsement - I’m the primary sharesholder”.

What followed was a trip to the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico - one of only five states in the country certified to produce tequila, and responsible for about 80% of the world's supply. They met with eight distilleries before landing on the Banuelos family, a third-generation operation and the original founders of Cazadores.

The other non-negotiable was additive-free - no added sugars, no flavourings, no colourings. The Blanco is exactly that: roasted pineapple, citrus and white pepper on the nose, with vanilla and a silky finish that makes you want to sip rather than shoot. The Reposado is rested five months in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, picking up colour and a gentle warmth - no artificial tinting, just time and timber.

"We tried to match up where Mexico and Australia have common interests," he said, "and it's around the sun. Outdoor lifestyles, beaches, fiestas, barbecues." The El Arquero logo is a sun with a figure in the middle, arms wide open. "Whether it's to drink it or just to spend time, to have food — come and have a shared experience. That's our whole philosophy."

When we asked how he preferred to drink it, the answer came with a laugh. "My cheap laugh is to say, 'How don't you?' But I love sipping it - particularly the Blanco, it's so clean. Or on ice with a little wedge of lime. And then mixing it with a premium low-sugar soda and fresh fruit - pineapple, whatever - in a highball glass. It's refreshing. The quality shows through."

"To walk into a venue like this," Gilchrist said at one point, looking around George Banks, "and know that they're serving it - it's a real buzz for me."

The range currently includes a Blanco and Reposado, with an Añejo landing later in 2026. El Arquero is available locally at George Banks Rooftop, Spotted Cow and Fitzy's Bar & Restaurant, among others. Full stockist list at elarquero.com.