Don Julio Anejo

If you are new to anejos, this is a great one to start with. Smooth, richly refined flavours and just the right amount of heat. Don Julio claim it is “aged to perfection”, we think you should find out why.

What makes the Don Julio Anejo special?

Velvety warmth and rich vanilla and butterscotch tones makes this anejo special. It is also not as woody as other anejos. These attributes are produced during 18 months of ageing in barrels previously used to age bourbon. A whisky must spend a minimum three years to mature but an anejo just 18 months. Why is this so? Due to the warm, dry weather of Jalisco the ageing process is faster, most importantly however the agaves used to make this tequila are aged for a minimum of 7 years. Tequila is not made from quick grown cash crops and the process of aging doesn't start at the end in the barrel, the true aging starts in the beginning while the agave grows into its full sweet potential.

Don Julio Anejo tasting notes

A great sipper. This anejo will please most tastes.

Nose

A big statement aroma. In contrast to the taste, it is citrus fruit that is a dominant note in the aroma. Some detect lime, others orange. There are also butterscotch and vanilla tones.

Taste

The first flavours that hit you are butterscotch and vanilla. There is also a touch of citrus and notes of oak. There are also sharp tones reminiscent of whisky. Less of an oak taste than other Anejos.

Aftertaste

A long warm finish of honey and oak notes.

Don Julio Anejo Appearance

A formidable looking bottle for your drinks shelf. Wide, with grand styling and a pretty round head; polished wood encasing the cork. The cork produces a loud satisfying ‘pop’ on opening. The dark brown glass is nod to the oak barrels the drink was aged in - the tequila itself is gold in colour.

What is the Don Julio Anejo volume/size?

700ml.

What is the alcohol percentage and proof of Don Julio Anejo?

• 38% ABV
• 80 Proof
  

Where does Don Julio Anejo come from?

It starts life in highlands of Jalisco state in sun baked days and cold nights. These extremes bring out the best in blue agave plants. To avoid the heat, the jimadors (harvesters) venture out as early as possible to cut the pinas from the plants. It is then fermented in the legendary La Primavera distillery and aged in American bourbon oak casks for 18 months.

Don Julio – The producer of Don Julio Anejo

Julio González-Frausto had a hunch that blue agave grown in the highlands would taste better than on the plains. Until then, way back in the 1940s, tequila had not been thought of as high-end drink. Fortunately, Julio’s hunch was right, and a legend was created. The company is well known for its blanco, reposado, anejo and 1942 tequilas.

How to enjoy Don Julio Anejo

Find the finest luxury dark chocolate you can source. Sit back with a loved one, watch a film. Then enjoy the anejo and the chocolate in turns. The strength of the anejo and the bitterness/ sweetness of dark chocolate combine wonderfully.

Don Julio Anejo cocktail ideas

First get to know this anejo by sipping it neat or on the rocks. But when entertaining then, try this twist on a cocktail classic. The bourbon tones found in this anejo make it a good replacement for whiskey in a Manhattan cocktail. It is essentially two parts tequila, one part Vermouth (chill the vermouth bottle before mixing). Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters for spice, or if you would prefer a fruitier twist go for Orange Angostura bitters. Then mix in ice cubes. Strain into the glass, then garnish with an orange wheel or cherry on a cocktail stick.

• Two oz of Don Julio Anejo
  
• One oz Sweet vermouth
  
• Three dashes of Angostura bitters.
  
• Garnish with orange slice or cherry
  

Salud!