Review: Don Julio Reposado Tequila
Don Julio tequila is named for Don Julio Gonzalez who began distilling tequila at his uncle’s distillery when he was 17. In 1942 he borrowed money from a local businessman to open his own distillery, La Primavera. Don Julio Reposado was launched in 1989. It is made from 100% Blue Weber agave grown 6500 feet above sea level in the Highland region of Atotonilco Jalisco. Instead of harvesting the entire agave field at once Jimadors harvest plant by plant selecting only those ready to harvest. The trimmed agave is split in equal pieces then slow roasted in brick and stone ovens for 72 hours. They crush the cooled agave in a mill and ferment with natural yeast in stainless tanks before double distilling. The spirit is aged for 8 months in American white oak barrels. The aroma leads with cooked agave, vanilla, and caramel. Additional time brings out citrus, oak, and cinnamon. The cooked agave entry is joined by vanilla building to a citrus, caramel, and cinnamon peak. It fades with vanilla and finishes with spicy cinnamon, oak, citrus, and black pepper.
NOM: 1449
40% Alcohol
Agave Region: Highlands
Score: 90
Award: Silver Medal