Don Julio, 1942
Don Julio was founded in 1942 by Don Julio González in the highlands of Jalisco, and is credited with helping turn tequila into a sipping spirit. Released in 2002 to mark the distillery's 60th anniversary, 1942 is an añejo aged a minimum of two and a half years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels — well beyond the one-year legal minimum. In its tall, tapered bottle, it is one of the category's most recognizable bottles.
Nose
Herbal notes, banoffee pie, vanilla
Palate
Licorice, orchard fruits, salted caramel
Finish
Nutmeg, chili pepper, oak spice
Light white wine in color, this immediately has oak notes that jump from the glass, and a quick swirl releases bergamot, rosemary, and basil. A good wallop of spirit belies the sub-40% ABV, and this certainly has young agave spirit and decent wood notes. Licorice and new leather lead the charge on the taste, and the vanilla and oak spices are well integrated. Cinnamon spices come through, and more of the licorice appears over time. The finish is oak-driven, with some popcorn, suede, and salted caramel. Slightly nutty, with some praline notes and a platform of agave.
The nose on this añejo is exceptionally sweet. Some pleasant notes of banoffee pie, rose florality, and caramelized pastry start to come through. The palate lacks texture — really rather thin for an añejo — but some pleasant orchard fruits start to shine as the finish wanes. There is a touch of heat right on the tip of the tongue too, with a spiciness of nutmeg and chili pepper, plus dustiness. I'd want much more than this from an añejo.
Very sweet on the nose immediately: like cotton candy, with a touch of red berry compote. It's certainly fruity and sweet. Dig deeper and vanilla essence comes through, along with a hint of white pepper, soft caramel, and some oakiness. A sweet but very thin hit on the palate, with only a slight presence of agave and more of a spirity, confected note. Thin and short, with a touch of metallic dustiness coming through on the death. Fairly thin and uninspired, unfortunately, lacking the agave oomph to push it into the stratosphere.
