Don Julio Tequila

Founded in 1947 by Don Julio Gonzalez, the Real uses seven to ten year hand picked blue agave from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.

Enter the “Real” – the top tequila made by the company.  Aged three to five years in American White Oak barrels, this is the pinnacle of the brand’s six tequilas, and the one that I enjoy most.

This is just about as smooth of a tequila that money can buy. It comes in at a price tag north of $300, and often approaches $400 depending on availability. I’ve seen it around town at all sorts of price points, but $379 or so is usually where I find it priced.  The downside is it’s a small bottle, only 375 ML, but don’t let that bother you – every sip of this is pure delight.  If i’ve ever seen a true commodity in buying tequila in South Florida, the Real is truly a commodity.  I’ve seen a price variance of $350 – $479.  Even the large, well-stocked Total Wine rarely has more than two bottles in their locked display.

Technically, this is an “extra anejo,” and anyone who follows tequila knows there aren’t many of these available.  Cava de Oro is one I reviewed earlier.

I first rewarded myself with this expensive tequila when I sold a property.  I enjoyed the Real so much that I bought a second bottle within days of purchasing (and finishing) the first.

While I’ll always advocate drinking fine tequila neat (without ice or any mix) – it would be an absolute SIN to drink the Don Julio Real with a drop of anything added to it.  In fact, if anyone is at my house enjoying this with me, I forbid them to do so.  If you want to mix something at my house, go to a lower tiered silver tequila like a Milagro.   That’s still a great tequila, don’t get me wrong – but I have a problem going to the absolute cheapest tequilas, even when I’m making a margarita.

The color of this is very golden and pleasant.  It reminds me of a perfectly crafted microbrew.

I’m admittedly not much of a “nose guy,” but I get nice hints of toffee and caramel when I smell and taste this tequila.  The official Don Julio Website says the nose is “a mature aroma balanced with gentle hints of citrus and cooked, sweet agave.”  I wouldn’t know what cooked agave is, I’m not that far into my knowledge!

The website profile continues to talk about the taste :

Enticing vanilla flavors layered with caramel, chocolate and almond undertones.

I totally get the vanilla and caramel, as noted earlier in my review.  Chocolate isn’t a flavor I entirely experience, but it sounds delicious, and that’s exactly what this tequila is.  Almond, yeah, I totally get the almond now that I sip on it more and really seek that taste.

I can’t talk about how awesome this tequila tastes.  I could drink it, and have drank it – in many settings.  Most memorable include having it neat with a cigar and Papa John’s pizza at midnight as a night cap.  Nothing like having  a $350+ bottle of anejo with a two for $19 pizza that exits the body within 9 hours.  Pretty classic if you ask me, but that just creates a great story.  I personally enjoy this best with a cigar and nothing else.  Enjoying both of those at the same time is simply bliss.

Now, to the presentation: 

The bottle of Real is among the most well done on the market.  Complete with a very heavy, sturdy cap that could double as a hitch for a truck, this thing is a thing of beauty.  It’s pure art.

Sold in a very durable, thick box that revolves around and is so well put together I don’t even throw it away, everything is done to the nines.  Two silver agave leaves that could pass as small hands drape the front of the bottle, almost holding it in place like a work of art.  The attention to detail is unparalleled, which clearly shows why it’s Don Julio’s marquee tequila.

This bottle of tequila MUST be on your bar and in your collection.