Don Julio 1942 Tequila Anejo

A classic that's great in all categories, just on the expensive side.

Don Julio 1942 Anejo NOM 1449 Tasted 12/29/06. The tequila is a golden color with intense floral and vanilla aromas. A soft mellow entry leads to a sweet syrupy taste, with no bitterness and moderate agave flavor. While there is only moderate agave flavor, the tequila has intense earthy, fruity, floral, vanilla, and caramel flavors. The tequila finishes with a long duration of flavor and a tingly, numbing alcohol finish. Overall, I gave the tequila an A.

I bought this bottle years ago in Mexico before I understood the whole idea of 100% agave. The bottle and wood coffin box is what sold me at the beginning, and I couldn't believe I was going to spend $80 on a bottle of tequila. There aren't many anejos like it, and now I feel it is a steal at $100.

Don Julio 1942 was the tequila that started my interest in premium tequilas. I had drunk loads of margaritas and shots. I had bought bottles of Perseverancia and Gran Centenario 100% de agave while in Mexico, and I had enjoyed them all on a casual when I'm in the mood basis. My first taste of DJ 1942 made me feel like I had really never tasted tequila before. The nose has very appealing notes of vanilla and butter. The initial taste has a strong roasted agave flavor with many complex subtle flavors edging around. There is some oak present, but it is not as strong as in most anejos, and perhaps that is what allows the agave to shine through. If I let the tequila roll under my tounge, I get a noticeable smoky flavor. It has a very smooth mouth feel with almost the consistency of honey on the tounge. As I swallow, I get a burst of vapor up my throat into the nasal passages that brings the vanilla and butter back into play. It has a pleasant finish with just enough black pepper to remind you that this is tequila. The bottle is tall with agave leaf shapes formed into it and a bulbous wooden screw cap.

Overall, this is the best tequila I have ever tasted. The price is high at around $100 for a 750 ml bottle, but I would rather have one bottle of Don Julio 1942 than two bottles of most of the $50 premium tequilas I have tasted.