Widely regarded as the master of tequila, Don Julio is a highly respected and coveted brand.
With nine tequilas completing the Don Julio lineup, there's an expression and flavor profile for every palate.
Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned expert, get ready to explore one of the finest tequila collections on the market today.
The Don Julio Tequila Lineup
Let's jump right into the different types of tequila produced by the Don Julio brand. Use this as a complete guide for picking the right bottle for your taste buds and wallet!
Don Julio Blanco Tequila
We start with Don Julio Blanco tequila, the most accessible in the lineup.
Crafted from the finest blue agave plant, the blanco tequila is presented in its truest form.
The tequila is made using a time-honored distillation process, meaning it's slow-roasted for 72 hours in traditional brick ovens. The agave is then crushed and double-distilled in small copper pot stills.
Unlike many blanco tequila brands, Don Julio's version is not overly aggressive. Instead, it gives a smooth mouthfeel, making it suitable for drinking neat or mixing it in a classic margarita.
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Flavor profile: Fresh agave with a burst of citrus and lemon peel. You get hints of green, earthy herbs with a sharp yet bright finish.
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Price: Expect to pay around $30 at retail rates for a full-size bottle, or a slightly higher $35 on the secondary market.
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Don Julio Blanco is also available in different-sized bottles:
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375ml Don Julio Blanco is available for $19.99
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10 x 50ml Don Julio Blanco is available for $59.99
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Don Julio Reposado Tequila
Don Julio Reposado is aged for eight months in American white oak barrels.
What makes this spirit special is that this aging process is double the legal minimum length for reposado tequila, giving it an exceptionally smooth finish with a mellow flavor.
Many reposado tequilas tend to be over-oaked, but not this one. The flavor of the agave is respected while incorporating the layered flavors infused by the bourbon barrels.
Don Julio reposado tequila is the one to choose if you are new to drinking tequila and want to start with something refined yet easy on the wallet.
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Flavor profile: This reposado tequila gives you creamy vanilla and warm roasted oak, balanced with dried fruit and spices. You get the perfect match of sweetness vs. woodiness.
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Price: You can find Don Julio reposado for a reasonable $35 - $40 at retail or $45+ on the secondary market.
Don Julio Añejo Tequila
The difference between reposado and anejo lies in the aging process.
Don Julio añejo tequila is aged for eighteen months in smaller batches. The American white oak barrels are reused to avoid overwhelming the cooked agave with tannins.
This is a fine aged tequila with complex flavors that both tequila aficionados and beginners will enjoy.
Its strength lies in how the oak flavors lift the spirit without masking it, offering a rich and wonderfully distinctive experience.
Leave the blanco to the cocktails - Don Julio añejo tequila is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks.
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Flavor profile: Perfectly balanced oak and vanilla with hints of dried fig, caramel, spices, and a touch of citrus and cacao. It's full-bodied without being heavy on the palate.
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Price: You can get Don Julio añejo tequila for around $45 at retail rates or $60+ on the secondary market.
Don Julio 70 Cristalino
Did you know that Don Julio was the brand behind the world's first cristalino tequila?
It's true!
Don Julio 70 Cristalino was created by its founder, Don Julio Gonzalez, to celebrate 70 years of tequila making.
The tequila is distilled twice and aged for 18 months like an añejo, but is then charcoal filtered to restore its crystal-clear hue and the flavor profile of a blanco. However, due to how it's made, it still retains the depth of a perfectly aged tequila.
Although this genre-defining spirit is not officially recognized as one of the five types of tequila, it has still become a mainstay of the tequila industry.
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Flavor profile: The clean agave taste is unmistakable, but it's coupled with flavors of toasted almonds, stone fruit, and oak spice. Vanilla adds sweetness for a light-bodied yet complex flavor.
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Price: 70 Cristalino is available for about $60 - $70 retail or $80+ on the secondary market.
Don Julio Alma Miel
A stunning joven tequila, Don Julio Alma Miel is crafted from a blend of unaged blanco and traditional añejo aged tequilas.
This expression gets its distinct flavor from the addition of oven-roasted agave syrup and the unique finishing process, which takes place in French Crémant de Limoux barrels. The result is a superior tasting experience with soulful, honeyed layers.
Alma Miel is a nod to tradition while incorporating innovative distillation methods to create an exceptional finish.
This is another slow sipper. Enjoy this Don Julio tequila neat or on the rocks.
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Flavor profile: Floral honey combined with baked agave topped with marzipan, apricot, and vanilla bean. A sweet and beautifully smooth experience.
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Price: Alma Miel is available from $100 at retail or from $120 on the secondary market.
Don Julio Rosado
Don Julio Rosado is something truly special.
Finished for four months in ruby port wine casks straight from the enchanting Douro wine region, this reposado tequila has a gorgeous pink hue and a delicate, sweet flavor.
The port from the casks influences the taste, giving it a deep body with layers of fruity essence.
This is definitely a summer sipper where you can enjoy the combined cultures of Northern Portugal and Mexico with every mouthful.
Like all Don Julio tequilas, enjoy it neat or add a splash of club soda for a refreshing drink.
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Flavor profile: Discover ripened berries and honeyed agave topped with soft oak and cocoa. Caramel and dried red fruits give this expression its gentle, sweet tones.
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Price: You'll pay about $80 for Don Julio Rosado at retail rates or $100+ on the secondary market.
Don Julio Primavera
Don Julio Primavera is a nod to the roots of Don Julio González and the La Primavera distillery he acquired in Atotonilco el Alto.
Crafted using traditional reposado, the tequila is made exceptional by finishing it in very rare European casks. The barrels previously held wine crafted from macerated orange peel, giving the tequila its unmistakable amber hue and zesty flavor.
This Don Julio tequila is perfect for hot days. Add some ice and a twist of orange peel or a dash of soda for a cooling tipple.
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Flavor profile: Bright citrus and floral agave with a light oak depth, topped off with orange blossom and a vanilla aroma.
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Price: Don Julio Primavera is available from $80 at retail rates or $120+ on the secondary market.
Don Julio 1942
A top-shelf staple, Don Julio 1942 is a luxury tequila only produced in small batches and aged for about 30 months in American oak.
Made in tribute to the year when Don Julio began tequila production, this top tequila is aged for around 30 months and distilled using extended columns for extra smoothness.
This is the Don Julio tequila that's coveted by connoisseurs, and you'll typically find it in high-end clubs and bars. As such, you'll struggle to find it at retail price, but it's usually available on the secondary market.
Flavor profile: Rich caramel coupled with milk chocolate and decadent crème brûlée. Roasted agave and cinnamon offset the sweetness for a wonderfully balanced finish.
Price: As an upper-market tequila, Don Julio 1942 can cost about $200 at retail rates or $250+ on the secondary market.
Don Julio Ultima Reserva
A truly special and rare tequila, Don Julio Ultima Reserva is crafted from agave harvested from the distillery's last field. A special Solera aging system using bourbon and Madeira wine casks ensures the essence of the precious agave is perfectly preserved.
This is Don Julio's most premium tequila and combines multiple types of tequilas with differing characteristics to produce a unique blend.
As the only extra anejo tequila from the whole Don Julio tequila lineup, its rarity makes it a hotly sought-after bottle. This one is for serious tequila drinkers and collectors.
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Flavor profile: Deep amber with figs, raisins, and mahogany wood tones. You'll also sip orange peel and roasted agave with an ultra-smooth vanilla finish.
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Price: Almost impossible to find at the retail rate of $460+, Don Julio Ultima Reserva can sometimes be found on the secondary market for $1,000+.
A Quick History Lesson on Don Julio
If you're wondering how this renowned Mexican tequila brand came to be, then here's a quick history lesson.
In 1942, Don Julio González-Frausto Estrada set out to create a refined, crafted tequila at a time when the spirit was considered harsh and working-class.
He achieved this by planting his agave plants further apart so they could grow larger and sweeter, and only harvested piñas when they were mature. Using traditional brick ovens and small copper stills, he ensured the quality of each tequila batch was perfectly preserved.
In 1947, he established La Primavera Distillery in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, where he continued to perfect his craft.
Don Julio passed away in 2012, and the brand is now owned by Diageo. However, the tradition and craftsmanship that go into every bottle remain.
FAQs
How many types of Don Julio are there?
There are nine types of tequila available from the Don Julio brand: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, 70 Cristalino, Alma Miel, Rosado, 1942, Ultima Reserva, and Primavera.
Which is the smoothest Don Julio?
The smoothest Don Julio tequila is widely agreed to be the reposado. The exceptionally long aging process gives this tequila its incredibly smooth finish, making every sip a decadent experience.
Which one is better, Don Julio reposado or anejo?
Whether Don Julio reposado or añejo is better depends on your personal preferences and palate. The reposado is incredibly smooth with a lighter oak profile, while the añejo is richer in depth with more citrus tones. Both are quality tequilas that deliver a high-end drinking experience.
Why is Don Julio 70 so expensive compared to other brands?
Don Julio 70 is considered expensive because it was the first cristalino tequila ever developed and sets the standard for other brands. The 18-month aging process and brand heritage also add to its value.
Is there a Don Julio extra añejo tequila?
Yes, Ultima Reserva is a high-end and rare extra anejo tequila produced by the Don Julio brand.
Final Thoughts
There's no doubt that when it comes to tequila, Don Julio has achieved perfection that other brands struggle to attain.
The unique techniques and smaller batches, coupled with traditional methods, make each bottle an icon of excellence to savor.
No matter your preference in type of tequila, Don Julio’s lineup promises a perfect pour for every moment.
