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Don Julio is a brand of tequila that is produced in Mexico. The brand’s tequila is distilled, produced, bottled, distributed, and sold by the Don Julio facility in Mexico. The distillery is based in the city of Atotonilco El Alto, in the Jalisco region of Mexico.
Don Julio 1942 tequila is a nod to the year the tequila brand was introduced in Mexico. The name Don Julio comes from the name of the brand’s founder, Don Julio González-Frausto Estrada. Estrada began distilling tequila at the age of 17 and spent the next 40 years of his life improving the art of tequila distillation.
A Brief History of Don Julio 1942 Tequila
Don Julio 1942 is made using a distillation process that has been perfected over the years. The 100% blue agave used to make the tequila is grown in the highland area of Atotonilco on the Estrada family estate. Agave plants take 7 years to reach maturity, so the brand ages the tequila in conjunction with the plant growth.
The agave plants are harvested by hand and then baked once they have been cut into small pieces. The baked piñas, the part of the plant that is used in tequila making, are crushed and combined with water which releases the agave juice.
Yeast is added to the juice and left to ferment, after which a sweet and slightly alcoholic agave beer is produced. The result of this process is distilled to create tequila, after which it is put into stainless steel tanks before it is bottled. The result can also be aged in old bourbon casks to create a golden and rich tequila.
The Don Julio brand was established in 1987 after the founder, Don Julio, asked a wealthy merchant for a loan to build and open his distillery in 1942. After the distillery was opened, the brand continued to grow before being established officially.
The brand was bought by Diageo in 2015 after Don Julio González dies in 2012. The traditional production method and limited-edition offerings have been maintained and established to honor González.
Prices, Variations & Sizes of Don Julio 1942 Tequila
Don Julio 1942 Tequila is not a tequila you would keep around for everyday use. Rather, at its price point, it is a tequila that should be kept for special occasions like a birthday or other celebrations.
Don Julio 1942 is an Añejo tequila that is aged for a minimum of 1 year and up to 3 years in old oak barrels. The oak barrels hold no more than 600 liters of tequila at a time and must be a certain type for Don Julio to use them.
The cost per bottle of 1942 tequila has increased in recent years as production costs have increased along with increasing demand for the special tequila. The price is therefore much higher than the average everyday tequila, making it significantly scarcer.
Don Julio 1942 Tequila is sold in 750-milliliter bottles. The average price of these bottles is $150 putting it among the higher-priced tequilas at most clubs and bars.
The tequila is aged in Don Julio’s oak barrels for 2,5 years which is longer than the average Añejo produced by the brand.
This tequila is made in an elaborate 3-step distillation process that makes it ultra-premium and high-quality tequila. Given the scarcity of a bottle of 1942, the value of the tequila is much higher than the price you will find in a liquor store or bar.
If you are looking for another tequila made by Don Julio, there are several options to choose from.
Item | Average Price | Size per Bottle |
Don Julio Blanco Tequila | $41,99 – $45, 99 | 750 milliliters |
$79,99 – $89,99 | 1,75 liters | |
Don Julio Añejo Tequila | $48,99 – $51,99 | 750 milliliters |
Don Julio Reposado Tequila | $45,99 – $46,99 | 750 milliliters |
Otherwise, a double shot of tequila costs roughly $30 – $50 in the United States.
3 Alternatives to Don Julio 1942 Tequila
Patron Añejo Tequila is blended and aged in a mix of American whiskey barrels, French oak barrels, and Hungarian oak barrels. The tequila is available in a range of sizes from 50 milliliters to 1,75 liters at an alcohol by volume of 40%.
The color of the tequila is warm amber and has notes of vanilla, raisins, and oak wood in its aroma. The taste of the beverage has notes of honey, vanilla, raisin, and oak wood with a finish of caramel and smoke.
1800 Añejo Tequila is aged in new French and American oak barrels. The tequila is dark amber with an aroma of oaky vanilla.
There is a peppery spice finish with notes of toffee and nuts in the beverage. The brand suggests this tequila is best drunk when sipped, rather than as a shot or on the rocks.
Casamigos Añejo is a tequila brand owned by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. The tequila is made using a special yeast blend and a fermentation process of 80 hours. The color of the tequila is rich caramel with an aroma of vanilla and soft caramel.
The flavor notes of the beverage are barrel oak and spice which balance out the sweetness from the blue agave. Casamigos Añejo is aged 14 months in American white oak barrels.
How to Drink Don Julio 1942 Tequila
A premium tequila like Don Julio 1942 should be drunk neat (without ice). with the flavor of the tequila, you should not need lime or salt to drink it. Technically, you could also drink 1942 tequila as a shot, however, for the quality and price, you may consider that to be a waste.
Añejo tequila can also be used as the base for a cocktail as the flavor of the drink could bring out the flavor of the additional ingredients more. An Añejo Manhattan is a classic option for a cocktail. To make this drink, fill 2/3 of a glass with ice.
Combine 2 ounces of 1942 tequila, ½ ounce of sweet vermouth, ¼ ounce of sweet vermouth, a dash of Angostura bitters, and a dash of orange bitters.
Stir in the glass of ice for roughly 30 seconds to chill. Finally, strain the cocktail into a martini glass and garnish with a cherry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest tequila for shots?
There are several good options for tequila if you are planning on taking shots. You do not want to use expensive or premium tequila for these. 1800 Silver Tequila is a blend of double-blended tequila and white, unaged tequila.
What is the most expensive tequila on the market?
Tequila Ley. 925 Diamante is the most expensive tequila available for sale. It was first sold in 2010 and is made with 100% agave.
It is aged for 7 years in oak barrels, with only 33 bottles of the super-premium tequila ever produced. It was sold in 2006 for roughly $225 000.
What are the different types of tequila?
Tequila is classified depending on the time it has spent aging. Blanco is bottled right after distillation, leaving it with a short aging process. These tequilas are typically clear, hence the name. Reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels for 2 – 12 months.
Joven tequila is a blend of Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Añejo tequila is aged in oak barrels for 1 – 3 years, with the Extra Añejo aged for more than 3 years. Finally, Mixto tequila contains less than 100% blue agave and is usually mixed with other spirits or sugars.
Is tequila considered to be healthy alcohol?
Tequila can be somewhat more healthy than other types of alcohol as it does not contain sugar or carbohydrates and contains fewer calories. As always, moderation is key.