Don Julio Reposado Double Cask Buchanan's Finish

I prefer to drink spirits neat in a snifter glass, and lately, for me, DJ has been leaning a bit towards a "medicinal" profile. Tequila Don Julio Reposado Double Cask Buchanan's Barrel is quite the tequila for sipping. It's a limited-edition Reposado tequila that spends 8 months aging in bourbon oak barrels, followed by 30 days finishing in casks previously used for Buchanan's Blended Scotch Whisky. It offers a pleasant, smooth agave and spicy beginning with flavors of peat and chocolate, and a truly... 'rich and complex finish,' as I read elsewhere. That description fits well, I believe. I shared it with a friend who doesn't drink much, and certainly not tequila. We finished the entire bottle... While I still favor Fortaleza Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Reposado Double Cask Buchanan's Barrel has certainly captured my attention. I plan to try it again very soon.

The aroma is smooth, featuring sweet nectar and mint, along with some spice and mild herbal bitterness. There's a hint of brown sugar and ample vanilla in the nose. The palate is viscous and smooth, dominated by vanilla and mint, with some richness in the sweet nectar. It has a touch of orange and lime, but not much. It's a tasty tequila, comparable in quality to Patron Anejo, perhaps even slightly better. I'm leaning towards a score of 14. The flavor is still quite subtle, but it possesses more complexity and slightly better taste than standard Patron. It's good, but perhaps not quite intriguing enough for a 15. It bears some resemblance to Casamigos. Yes, 14 seems appropriate. However, its smoothness is exceptionally pleasant, especially given the viscosity. It surpasses Casamigos. Maybe it warrants that 15.

This is among the FINEST blends I've encountered. I typically prefer tequila straight and dismiss brands that become "mass produced" (tip: the farther into Mexico you travel, the less commercialized the production). However, this was a pleasant surprise. It's smooth and easy to drink, with a subtle whiskey-like finish. This is what I imagine Europeans in 18th-19th century Mexico envisioned when they had locals produce tequila for them.

The initial aroma of the tequila has a butterscotch-like scent. The taste is a harmonious blend of tequila and scotch. It's exceptionally smooth, with no tequila harshness at all. I might go back for another!

A great, smooth taste that leans heavily towards scotch whisky rather than the mineral and herbal characteristics typically found in blue agave spirits.

Smooth, spicy, full-bodied, and well-balanced tequila with notes of toffee and cream, alongside cinnamon and citrus. Features a distinctive scotch-like finish.