What Sets Aejo Tequila Apart
Añejo tequila is aged for a minimum of a year and can spend up to three years in oak barrels. These oak barrels must be of a certain type and, as VinePair explains, should hold no more than 600 liters of añejo tequila at a time.
Añejo tequila is created for sipping, and the longer the aging process, the smoother and more nuanced a bottle is. Añejo tequila can also be used in libations, but it’s not a 1:1 swap with blanco or even reposado varieties in most cases. Unlike tequila blanco, which is most commonly used in light, fruity cocktails, añejo tequila is most often utilized in libations where whiskey is the traditional base spirit.
Similar to whiskey, añejo tequila may showcase expressions of oak, vanilla, dried fruits, caramel, honey, and baking spices. Don Julio 1942 even boasts aromas of chocolate. However, consumers will still get to enjoy the flavors and characteristics of agave, making for a special sipping experience and a unique take on their favorite whiskey cocktails.
Don Julio Reposado Claro
- Nose: Light aroma with vanilla and agave.
- Palate: Agave, vanilla and citrus.
Reposado Claro is the product of filtering through activated charcoal Don Julio Reposado. As a result the tequila lost the amber hue along some of its warmth becoming quite smooth, easier to sip although a bit less tastier.
What Is Oprahs Favorite Tequila
During an interview with Facebook Live, Oprah Winfrey names Casa Dragones as her new favorite tequila.
Whats the best liquor to drink straight? These are the alcohols that are so good, you can actually drink them straight.
- Crown Royal XR Whiskey. Instagram.
- Becherovka. Instagram.
- Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon. Instagram.
- Ron Zacapa 23 Rum. Instagram.
- Kings County Distillery Chocolate Whiskey. Instagram.
- Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal.
- Plymouth Gin.
Is Jose Cuervo the same as Patrón?
Patrón and Jose Cuervo have both released a version of the finest expression of their tequila craft. The oldest tequila Patrón has ever released, this new spirit is a blend of two types of artisan-made tequilas that were fermented separately then blended together and aged in French oak.
Why do people buy Patrón? Patronage increases security and value for artists. Some artists worked exclusively for their patrons while others were commissioned by new patrons as their work gained public exposure. Some of historys most famous artists made their mark through their patrons commissioned works.
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What Makes Don Julio 1942 So Special
Don Julio 1942 was first released in 2002 as a way to honor Don Julio González’s incredible tequila legacy, but it’s not the only añejo tequila offered by the brand. There are two other varieties: Don Julio Añejo and Don Julio 70 Claro Añejo Tequila , but neither have the glamour and demand of Don Julio 1942.
In explaining the demand, SVP Choi said it’s “the product itself the quality of the product it always has to start there” . She also notes that leaning into production methods that Don Julio González began practicing with in 1942 sets this bottle and brand apart from other competitors.
Don Julio 1942 is aged longer than your average añejo tequila around two and a half years to produce a rich, complex elixir . This variety is aged in oak barrels that were formerly used to age Kentucky bourbon, but it still manages to taste fresh, delicate, and even floral at first sip, making Don Julio 1942 a bit of an anomaly in the añejo tequila category. This small-batch variety from such a storied brand makes it buzz-worthy, but its unique aromas, flavors, finish, and gorgeous bottle make this one special tequila.
Don Juilo Has Quite A Few Celebrity Fans
You could potentially spend much of your time making the greatest product and, if you simply stopped there, chances are all too good that no one would ever hear of it. That’s where the critical element of marketing comes in. Perhaps no one goes bigger in marketing products than the tequila industry. And, if managed just right, big-name fans can make for a pretty big turnaround for a brand. After all, P. Diddy could be credited with making Patrón tequila a household name. Likewise, a luxury tequila brand like Don Julio is not immune to the same marketing trends, according to The Upsider.
What began in the humble neighborhoods of Mexico has turned into a big business with A-list celebrities downing the drink, and it seems everyone is putting their name behind a brand like Don Julio. Nowadays, everyone from Justin Timberlake to George Clooney has their own brand of tequila, but many choose to align themselves with no less than the world’s first line of luxury tequila. For instance, Hailey and Justin Bieber included a bottle of the good stuff pretty prominently on their wedding day, where each table at the reception was adorned with a bottle of Don Julio 1942. And Master of Malt reports that Hollywood darling Leonardo DiCaprio is even known to throw back a few, like during a visit to music festival Coachella.
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The Three Main Varieties Of Tequila
Those who consume tequila primarily in margaritas or as a shooter may be surprised to learn there are three main varieties of tequila: blanco , reposado, and añejo, according to Eater.
Don Julio 1942 is a type of añejo tequila and is very distinct from the blanco variety most commonly found in popular cocktails like margaritas and palomas, as it is clear and doesn’t go through an aging process before bottling. Tequila reposado is more similar to añejo as it is also aged in oak barrels, but the aging process usually isn’t as long as it is for tequila añejo, which gives more of an amber color and slightly less complexity compared to añejo varieties.
Añejo tequila is often the most expensive as it requires the longest production process of the three main types of tequila. While blanco tequila is typically unaged, reposado is aged for anywhere between two months to a year most labels are on the lower time frame.
Its A Brand Thats Won Multiple Awards For Its Delicious Bottles
and it keeps pushing the boundaries when it comes to premium quality. Before Don Julio took to the scene, tequila was generally either considered Blanco, Reposado or Añejo. The arrival of Don Julio 70 Cristalino Tequila took to the stage as the worlds first Añejo Claro tequila, while the brands Real Tequila broke the ceiling of ageing the spirit and helped to create the Extra Añejo category. With its velvety smooth Blanco qualities and honeyed vanilla and toasted oak flavours, its a one-of-a-kind sipper thats among the best of the best.
Part of the reason as to why this premium tequila is so good can be attributed to its growing region. Intellectual property laws ensure that tequila can only be made in one place: Mexico. And Don Julio is produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, one of the countrys most fertile agave-growing regions.
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Its Aejo Is More Tequila And Less Barrel And Thats Weird
Most reposado and añejo tequilas do their aging in repurposed barrels, absorbing a bit of added character from the wood. Don Julio follows suit: Its reposado spends eight months in old Kentucky bourbon barrels. But it goes a bit off-trend yet again with its añejo, which ages for 18 months in reposado barrels . The result is gentler impact from the wood itself, with more of the agave character left to shine through, making it an anomaly among aged tequilas.
Personal Scores & Reviews From Our Community
- 79Rating
Slight pepper and citrus notes. A light, clean Blanco. Great for sipping on ice with a splash of club and a squeeze of lime.
- 78Rating
Aroma : Alcohol, agave, earth, and some medical aromas predominate.Taste : Cooked agave and alcohol are the top 2 flavors, but there is also some degree of citrus, vegetal, and earth. A little more one dimensional than I would like.Finish : Very light with some citrus and alcohol.I can find this for around $45 a bottle, and while this certainly a good tequila, it’s a tad overpriced for what you get, and there are far better tequilas to be had at this price.
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The Most Expensive Don Julio Tequila
The most expensive Don Julio Tequila in the world is the Don Julio Real .
This spirit is as real as can be , coming from maestro tequilero Don Julio Gonzalez himself. Don Julio Real is made from slow-roasted agave, meticulously fermented, and distilled before being put inside American white oak for three to five years to age.
Is Reposado Good For Mixing
Access to a good bottle of reposado Tequila presents a happy dilemma: Should you sip it straight, or mix it into cocktails? Luckily, it works beautifully either way. Blue Nectar Reposado Special Craft is infused with spiced essential oils and a hint of agave nectar, which yields a pleasing sweet-and-spice profile.
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Is Don Julio Better Than Patrn
Don Julio Blanco is the best tequila, even when compared to Patron Silver. It has a lemon, grapefruit, and agave aroma that you can drink neat or on the rocks. On the other hand, Patron silver smells pleasant because of the agaves scent, but it lacks depth and taste complexity compared to the Don Julio Blanco.
Regarding this, Why is Patron tequila so expensive? Patron tequila is expensive due to the combined effects of its reputation, popularity, taste, quality and packaging. The tequila is also made from what is considered the best type of agave for spirit distilling, Blue Weber Agave. The agave is grown in the worlds best region for agave production in Jalisco, Mexico.
Which is the smoothest tequila? Here, the best sipping tequilas our experts recommend to drink right now.
- Best Overall: Tequila Ocho Plata.
- Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco.
- Best Reposado: Siete Leguas Reposado.
- Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo.
- Best Extra Añejo: Gran Patrón Burdeos.
- Best Valley: Fortaleza Blanco.
- Best for Beginners: Casamigos Blanco.
What is the top shelf tequila?
- Best Overall: Casamigos Blanco Tequila.
- Best Top-Shelf: Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo Tequila.
- Best Cheap: Sauza Silver Tequila.
- Best Mid-Price: Herradura Silver Tequila.
- Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo Tequila.
- Best Blanco/Silver: Espolòn Blanco.
- Best Reposado: Olmeca Tezòn Reposado Tequila.
Beside above, What is better patron or tequila?
Don Julio Reposado Double Cask
If you want to experience tasting scotch in your tequila shots, then the Double Cask should be your next item to drink. You will not see any component of scotch in this bottle, but the finish will remind you of that taste along with the vanilla cream, toffee, and some citrusy taste. Take this item neat or in a shot glass. These are already available for shipping to the United States.
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Things You Should Know About Don Julio Tequila
Everybody loves a good game changer think Lady Gaga, doughnut hamburger buns, or raccoons as pets.
But every time you scan a back bar for your favorite bottle, or take your time savoring a great , you could be overlooking one of the major game changers in tequila: Don Julio.
At a time when tequila production meant quantity over quality, Don Julio dared to challenge the status quo: The company coddled its agave, bottled short when everyone else went tall, and even stripped its aged tequila down to crystal-clear agave bones.
drop!
Here are nine things you need to know about super premium tequila O.G., Don Julio.
Taste Of Don Julio 1942
The taste of Don Julio 1942 is sweet, with a soft agave flavor thats rounded out by oak and vanilla notes from aging in American barrels for two years before bottling. It finishes on a long finish that makes you want more!
This tequila has an ABV level of 42%, which will give you just enough warmth to warm your body up as well as your soul after drinking one glassful of Don Julio 1942 Tequila.
The aroma is woody and earthy like most tequilas, but there are also hints of caramel from being aged in American oak barrels for two years before bottling. The nose gives off aromas of vanilla, caramel and oak thatll warm your soul as well as the body when you drink it.
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The Distillery Was Built On Borrowed Money
Most worthwhile ventures higher education being the one soul-crushing exception start with a loan. When the just-barely-post-adolescent Don Julio decided he was going to introduce his exacting, persnickety standards to tequila production, his first stop was at the doorstep of a local businessman, asking for a sizable loan to start his distillery. The businessman agreed, agave hearts found their way to ovens, and Don Julios first tequilas were bottled.
Don Julio Debuts As A Brand
After several decades of running the Tres Magueyes label, the Don Julio brand was born in 1987. This label began selling González’s family reserve bottles, which quickly became some of the very best offered on the market. The brand was acquired by Diageo in 2015, three years after Don Julio González’s death, but everything from the traditional production techniques to the new limited-edition offerings all pay homage to this revolutionary man.
Don Julio 1942 is one of several bottles that commemorates his incredible legacy that still impacts the industry greatly today through production methods, richness of flavor, and the gorgeous shape that makes it a bar cart must-have. As Christina Choi, senior vice president of Tequila, Diageo North America, said, “Don Julio didn’t set out on his tequila making journey for fame or money, but rather he was devoted to crafting the highest quality tequila to enjoy with friends and family.”
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Is Don Julio Better Than Patron
Don Julio Blanco is the best tequila, even when compared to Patron Silver. It has a lemon, grapefruit, and agave aroma that you can drink neat or on the rocks. On the other hand, Patron silver smells pleasant because of the agaves scent, but it lacks depth and taste complexity compared to the Don Julio Blanco.
Which Is The Smoothest Don Julio
Ultima Reserva is the smoothest Don Julio but you have to be willing to pony up $500 USD to enjoy it. If you are not willing to go that high Don Julio 1942 is the second best and a better and more tasty tequila, in my opinion, although it has a bit of a bite at the end.
If you want to drink a smooth Don Julio on a budget then Reposado is the best choice. Its good, tasty, it does not burn and provides a rich vanilla and oaky note.
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The Master Distiller Knows His Way Around A Chemistry Set
Don Julio master distiller Enrique de Colsa was formerly an industrial engineer, working in what he describes as liquid handling, a field we have to assume involves lots of chemical equations and the vigilant use of rubber gloves. As a result, de Colsa handled things like filters, compressors, and even bombs. De Colsa eventually moved toward perfumes and, eventually, spirits. When he met Don Julio in 1998 he was actually working for a rival distiller Don Julio immediately plucked him away and made de Colsa master distiller for the entire brand in 2004.
What To Know About Buying Tequila
These tequilas recommended here are suggestions for widely available tequilas across many price ranges. Some good buying guidelines are:
- Avoid anything that is packaged in plastic or that costs less than $15 because these are signs of cheap tequila thatll burn down your throat.
- Buy only tequila that has 100% agave written on the bottle.
- Find smooth, flavorful tequila thats great for shots, cocktails, or sipping. A high price doesnt always mean high quality.
- If theres a worm or scorpion in the bottle, dont buy it.
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Review: Don Julio Blanco
Theres really only so much that you can do to a blanco tequila. Its probably the most restrictive of the tequila styles and, as a result, the flavor profile you tends to be rather consistent among the larger brands. So whenever we see a brand charging a price tag well outside the average for a blanco tequila, we sit up and take notice. Either its a total ripoff, or they have a truly unique take which will be the case for Don Julio, who charge damn near $40 a bottle for this stuff?
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Don Julio Real Review
Founded in 1947 by Don Julio Gonzalez, the Real uses seven to ten year hand picked blue agave from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
Enter the Real the top tequila made by the company. Aged three to five years in American White Oak barrels, this is the pinnacle of the brands six tequilas, and the one that I enjoy most.
This is just about as smooth of a tequila that money can buy. It comes in at a price tag north of $300, and often approaches $400 depending on availability. Ive seen it around town at all sorts of price points, but $379 or so is usually where I find it priced. The downside is its a small bottle, only 375 ML, but dont let that bother you every sip of this is pure delight. If ive ever seen a true commodity in buying tequila in South Florida, the Real is truly a commodity. Ive seen a price variance of $350 $479. Even the large, well-stocked Total Wine rarely has more than two bottles in their locked display.
Technically, this is an extra anejo, and anyone who follows tequila knows there arent many of these available. Cava de Oro is one I reviewed earlier.
I first rewarded myself with this expensive tequila when I sold a property. I enjoyed the Real so much that I bought a second bottle within days of purchasing the first.
The color of this is very golden and pleasant. It reminds me of a perfectly crafted microbrew.
The website profile continues to talk about the taste :
Now, to the presentation:
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