Don Julio Tequila Anejo

One of the first really nice anejos I tried and still one of my favorites. In Oregon you pay about $55 per bottle which is a little steep for liquor aged 1-2 years when compared to a bottle of single malt scotch aged 12+ years that costs the same here.

Don Julio! Always a treat to the taste buds. Many years ago when I knew almost nothing about good tequila, a colleague insisted that I try Don Julio anejo. "This is what the president of Mexico drinks", he said. If it's good enough for him then, by golly, it's good enough for me. I was thoroughly taken in by its excellent bouqet and smooth rich flavor. And now, all these years alter, it still pleases me whenever I'm in the mood for that agave goodness. A little sweeter than most other fine anejos, but with good character. In the many years since, I've come to prefer reposados, but this anejo is always welcome.

I have had Don Julio Blanco many times, and as I write this there's a bottle and a half of the Reposado in my cabinet. But believe it or not, I hadn't had the Añejo until very recently. I love the other offerings so it was of no surprise that the añejo now has become a favorite too. Don Julio Añejo has an excellent all around palette, from a sweet nose and intitial taste, to an exceptionally smooth burn as it goes down. It has a fairly rich consistency, maybe a bit oily which I kind of prefer in a preminum tequila. Although it can be spotted at a multitude of bars, I still feel that the presentation is very fitting for a distinguished tequila that has been around for years. This stuff is a benchmark añejo; try it if you haven't yet.

This is an old standby. It's a fantastic tequila and it's always easy to find. While it doesn't have the big taste of anything that makes it really unique, but it's always wonderful and represents everything that a good anejo should be.

Aroma: Agave, vanilla/caramel.
Initial Taste: Very sweet...almost like a dessert. Agave flavor and vanilla are really what you get first.
Body: Medium body. You get a little oak taste, but mostly you get more of the same of what you got with the initial taste.
Finish: Very little linger and no burn at all. A pleasant end to a very good tequila, but it doesn't remind you that you drank it. However, it does still leave you wanting more.

This is a near perfect anejo to get non-tequila drinkers into enjoying the juice. It's ultra smooth and has a nice flavor that should be pleasing to most anyone. Well done, Don Julio.

What more can I say that hasn't already been said?

Don Julio Anejo is a very good, all around sipping tequila. It's not the best, and it's not the cheapest, but it is a very good tequila that has earned its reputation honestly.

I have my personal favorites, but this sipping tequila is one that I keep on hand for when company is over. The nose, taste and finish are pleasing and the name is known to most--even those who may not drink tequila on a regular basis. With that combination, it's hard to beat when sharing with friends.