Don Julio Tequila Blanco

Being new to the world of tequila I started on Patron. I won't bash it like others as it serves a purpose and without it I would have never branched out the way I have. That being said I agree with others whenever they say there is better and Don Julio is better.

Don Julio is a light and crisp blanco, which is what I prefer, so take that with a grain of salt (no pun intended). There is a slight citrus front that ends with a smooth tiny burn at the end that leaves your mouth clean.

This is a perfect Swiss army do it all tequila. When I go out tasting or buying new bottles of blanco I make sure I try it side by side with Don Julio.

Bad, good, great? Great!

This is one of the oldest and still best tequilas in existence. What I enjoy most about it is it's incredible smoothness and lengthy agave tastes.

Nose: citrus, agave and somewhat earthy
Initial Taste: true to the nose it is heavy on the agave but also is a bit sweeter than the nose suggests
Finish: The best part of this product. This is one of the cleanest blanco finishes there is but it has lingering agave and a touch of smoke.

In the USA expect to pay anywhere from $34 to $44 while in Mexico around 240 Pesos ($18 USD at the time) to 350 Pesos ($26 USD at the time). If you are interested in tequila, this is both a classic and a must. This is the benchmark that so many of these upstart premium brands are attempting to emulate. NOTE: if you buy this in mexico it will not have a cork but rather a screw bottle with a drip-stop.

A very pleasing cotton candy agave nose. Mouthfeel is summertime cream soda; sweet agave taste, spiky tickle, buttery, fruity/citrusy, and floral. This is a smooth sweet ride, an amusement park of deliciousness. And there's a smart pepper bite on the finish that elevates it from mere playful to something with a bit of gravitas. It doesn't have the robust complexities of some blancos, but it's Don Julio - it doesn't have to. It's perfect as it is. After the 1942 this is my favourite of the always respectable Don Julio line-up. Tremendously enjoyable.

I collected about 15 different blancos over a few months and did a taste test. I tasted brands like Chinaco, Yeyo, Patron, Milagro, Espolon, Corzo, Corozon, Milagro Select, Familia Camarena, Casa Noble, Don Eduardo, 1800, Herradura, and Ambhar and so on.

This was my favorite blanco for my palate. I feel that Don Julio has defined my palate in every category. I find their tequila to be consistently the watermark for my tequila personal preference. I paid $34 for a 750mL and then later $85 for a 1.75L

Tasted out of a wine glass (maybe ill get my tequila glasses soon!)

Nose: Citrus, Dill, and a sweet agave.

Initial taste: smooth and oily on the mouthfeel, that leads into a citrus and sweet agave body.

Finish: Light a paper with a lasting agave on the tongue. I love this finish, it lasts and lasts. It's why I pour another shot. It it were non-alcoholic I'd drink it all day for this finish. I love it.

The bottle does a great job of hiding how good the tequila is, and by that, the bottle is short and stout, but nothing of interest. I held off on buying this for so long because it didn't look the price.

In closing: I love this tequila. I tried many brands, and I'm glad for that, but it would have been better money spent if I just picked up few 1.75L of this.

Don Julio is just a solid brand and tequila at all levels. However, I do seem to enjoy their aged ones more than the blanco.

Aroma: A nice agave smell and a compliment that is almost creamy. A nice vanilla nose to go along with agave.
Taste: A pleasant agave flavor and some sweetness. It's a little thick for a blanco for me, but is pleasant in all aspects, but doesn't blow me away in any either.
Finish: It's a light and short finish with a hint of citrus. Again pleasant, but not remarkable.

An overall solid tequila, but there's as good or better options out there for under $40.