Don Julio Añejo Tequila

My goal to appreciate fine sipping tequilas led me to compare user ratings with local availability, and I was surprised a familiar brand ranked so highly. As I know very little about Tequila, recognizing a brand suggests it's likely mainstream. However, I'm too new to judge brands, so here we go: The aroma of this Añejo is dominated by grassy agave. While I initially disliked this scent, I'm growing accustomed to it. Deeper inspection reveals a sweet, creamy vanilla and caramel blend, along with chocolate-covered orange candies (don't mock, I've had them and forget their origin). The initial taste is quite sweet, starting with chocolate-covered caramels with a delicate touch. However, be warned: the sweetness fades significantly after the first sip, with about 95% of the flavor and finish being less sweet. Grassy agave is present throughout the taste. As it goes down, spice emerges from the center of your tongue outward. Sharp, sweet cinnamon combined with subtle citrus pith provides a tannic and zesty quality. The finish strongly retains the spice and tannins. While it's unusual to describe it as oaky, given the brighter overall profile compared to most whiskies, it strongly resembles tannic oak, cinnamon, and again, that herbaceous, grassy agave flavor. As I mentioned, the agave flavor isn't my top choice, and for an Añejo, I expected a sweeter, more complex sipping experience. It actually reminds me more of Reposados I've had than an Añejo. It's decent, but not my favorite.

I was considering a bottle of 1942, but acquiring one and spending $200 on it is quite a task. However, maybe Don Julio Anejo is a strong contender to the expensive and somewhat scarce top-shelf Don Julio. The aroma is dark with moderate sweetness, presenting a candy-like cinnamon, almost burnt, quality. This is the most prominent and dominant scent. Beneath it, some vegetal, even savory mezcal and fruit sugar notes try to emerge through the intense cinnamon. The initial taste follows the cinnamon theme, with slight hints of vanilla and sugars. It's remarkably light and low in alcohol esters, with little else developing; it's just milder, warm cinnamon sweetness as it fades to the finish. The purity is remarkable, being entirely free from artificial or chemical tastes, and smoothness comes to mind as a descriptor. What you gain from Don Julio Anejo largely depends on your preference for that significant cinnamon note, present from beginning to end. It's not overly sweet or cloying; rather, a dark, baking cinnamon flavor is what truly lies underneath. Overall, this is not a bad Anejo, but more complex ones can be found in Casamigo's, Expresiones del Corazón, and Adictivo. Don Julio Anejo is a tequila I would drink, but not one I would seek out.

Nose: Fruity aroma with vanilla and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Subtle sweet agave nectar notes without being overpowering. A faint hint of black pepper in the background prevents it from being too dessert-like. Palate: Coating and rich texture. No harshness upon entry. Notes of caramel, vanilla bean, and custard are present. The background hints at bourbon with a distinct nutmeg spice from the barrel. A very enjoyable sip that invites another. Finish: Medium length and very smooth, with no burn. A slight hint of wood shop emerges at the end, but it's not a flaw, perhaps just a minor weakness. Some might even appreciate the subtle drying wood. I'm indifferent. Overall: This is among my favorite Añejo tequilas so far. It appeals to bourbon drinkers with its similar notes: vanilla, caramel, and barrel spice like nutmeg. It's sweeter but not excessively or artificially so. While other Añejos now cost over $100, this one is about half that price. I hesitate to call it a 'value' bottle due to the evident craftsmanship, but it certainly offers excellent worth for the money.

This has a rich profile with pleasant cinnamon spice, toffee, dark chocolate, peppermint, anise, and vanilla. It offers more richness but less complexity compared to the reposado. I prefer it less. There's a surprising amount of mint upfront. The flavor is milder than the Reposado, almost to the point of being bland. There's some enhanced richness in the caramel and the mouthfeel is oilier, but it isn't sweeter. Fruit emerges with varied tropical elements of pineapple and papaya blended together. Some nice chocolate richness is present in the background, but I wish it were more pronounced. My main issue with this tequila is that it's too mild, much like an American Single Malt. It's smooth and an easy sipper with relatively little spice. The mint doesn't deliver a consistent impact either. That said, you truly need to delve into it to appreciate the complexities, and that level of engagement might be more than most people desire. I like the richness and sweet undertones, but this drink really needs more body. The finish is quite pleasant, however, emphasizing a richer rendition of that Don Julio essence. This is a nice sipper, but it could certainly benefit from more presence. Ultimately, the flavors here harmonize better than those of the Reposado, but I'm not convinced this is necessarily a superior overall package.

I'm currently watching the Sergio Leone classic "Duck you Sucker," which is essentially about an Irish Terrorist and Mexican Gangster who detonate explosives. Seemed like an appropriate time to sample an Irish and a Mexican spirit from my collection. Green Spot and Don Julio Anejo it is. I believe I read somewhere that people are attempting to sue Don Julio for misrepresenting the product as 100% agave? Please tell me it isn't true! However, to be fair, if it tastes good, does it truly matter? Nose: The sweet agave is prominent, so if this isn't 100% agave, the blender is an absolute master. Vanilla, caramel, and a touch of blood orange. Palate: As smooth as the polished hood of a lowrider. Vanilla, citrus peel, coriander, white pepper, and agave. Finish: Dry, earthy, and herbal. Concludes with a hint of bitter dark chocolate. Whatever the Don is doing, it works for me. Add whatever ingredients you like, just don't alter the recipe.

Nose: agave, prickly pear, bamboo, spicy green wood, buttery lemon, tomato, lime, apple, grass, honey, vanilla, and a moderate ethanol burn. Taste: bright agave, green wood, black pepper, mint, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, floral spice, marshmallow, caramel, sweet tobacco, clove, cinnamon, a faint wisp of smoke, and a mild alcohol bite. The finish is quick, with diminishing pepper and green flavors. This marks my inaugural tequila review, having previously concentrated solely on whiskey. My past encounters with tequila involved cheap shots with salt and lime, preventing me from appreciating quality varieties. I find this particular tequila to be quite commendable and believe it holds its own against many whiskies I have reviewed. I anticipate exploring more tequilas.