Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila 750ml

Product Information:
This añejo tequila is aged up to 32 months in recharged American white oak ex bourbon barrels but is said to be at least two-and-a-half years old - just 6 months short of qualifying to be termed an extra añejo. It is distilled in pot still No.6, a small still filling just 3 barrels per distillation.

1942 commemorates the year that the eponymous late Don Julio González started making tequila and it was launched in 2002 to commemorate the 60 anniversary. It is presented in an elongated amber bottle shaped to resemble an agave leaf. The present bottle and gift box was released in 2010, the original had lighter and greener coloured glass and was slightly more squat with a black and white photograph of Don Julio himself gracing the top of an agave-shaped leaf label. The old bottle was good but the new, sleeker more elegant bottle is even more impressive. The Don Julio 1942 Anejo Tequila is a two wine gold medalist at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2020 and 2022.

Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to fully appreciate its intricate flavours and smoothness. It is a tequila that invites sipping and savouring, allowing the rich nuances to unfold with each sip. 

Maker:
Don Julio Tequila is a revered and iconic brand that represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and dedication to the art of tequila production. Founded by Don Julio González in 1942, this Mexican tequila has become synonymous with exceptional quality and an unwavering commitment to tradition. Don Julio Tequila is crafted with utmost care and attention to detail, starting with the selection of the finest blue agave plants from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. These agaves, grown for an average of seven to ten years are handpicked at their peak ripeness ensuring the fullest expression of flavour. The heart of Don Julio Tequila lies in its production process, which combines time-honoured techniques with modern innovation. The agave piñas are slow-cooked in traditional masonry ovens, allowing the sugars to develop and create a rich and complex flavour profile. After the cooking process, the agave is crushed and the juice is extracted, fermented and carefully distilled to perfection. The result is a range of tequilas that exemplify the essence of their respective expressions. From the vibrant and crisp Blanco, with its notes of citrus and agave, to the aged and refined Añejo and Reposado, which showcase the influence of oak barrels with hints of vanilla and caramel, each expression offers a unique and memorable tasting experience. Don Julio Tequila is not just a brand; it is a symbol of Mexican heritage and craftsmanship. It is a tequila that has been celebrated and enjoyed by tequila connoisseurs and enthusiasts around the world. 

Distillery:
Añejo Tequila is a type of tequila that has been aged for a minimum of one year in oak barrels. The aging process imparts rich flavours and complexity to the tequila, resulting in a smooth and refined spirit. Añejo tequilas often exhibit notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, with a mellow and rounded character. They are darker in colour compared to blanco or reposado tequilas. Añejo tequilas are typically enjoyed neat or on the rocks to savour their intricate flavours. They are considered a premium category of tequila and are appreciated by tequila enthusiasts for their depth and sophistication.

Nose - Boiled Candy, Sweet Agave, Rose
Spiced (cinnamon) boiled sweet (candy) with sweet agave, vanilla, caramel, turkish delight and faint gluey aromas.

Palate - Vanilla Flan, Bunrt Toffee, Aromatic Cigar
Crème brûlée and burnt toffee agave with dry nutty oak, roasted coffee beans and bitter chocolate. Light citrus zestyness with a kirsch eau de vie fruit.

Finish - Long, Nutty, Smoke
Long, dry nutty finish with a burst of toffee, citrus, wisps of smoke and lingering dry oak.

Aged tequila can be a funny beast. Often the grassy agave notes are accentuated, sometimes they’re lost to the wood. In this case, the initial aromatics are floral and sweet fruit, almost like a cognac. Rose, pear, vanilla and brown sugar hit up front, with agave and a rich wet oak note following. On the palate, there's a sweetness, though here the agave grassiness is more pronounced. Up front on the lips and gums are tannic spices and vanilla from the oak; mid-palate, it sits with a medium weight and slight chewiness with hints of apricot, agave, vanilla and clove. The very long finish is one that some might not find to their liking, but others certainly will. There's a menthol brightness tempered with unctuous grapefruit, agave, wood and white pepper. - Liquor.com

The Finer Details
Style - Tequila
Varietal - Añejo
Country - Mexico
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 38%