A few weeks ago, Talking Bourbon became, for a short time, Talking Tequila when we reviewed Don Julio Reposado. Today we are again tasting a Don Julio Reposado, only this one is from their higher end, 1942 line, the Primavera Reposado. From their website “In 1942, Don Julio González decided to establish his roots in Atotonilco El Alto, Mexico where he acquired his Distillery “La Primavera”. Tequila Don Julio Primavera honors our late founder’s legacy as he believed reposado tequila was tequila at its finest. This deliciously smooth expression takes Tequila Don Julio’s traditional Reposado and finishes it in a highly coveted European cask, which previously held wine infused with macerated orange peel.” So, it is named after the year he started and the name of his distillery.
Don Julio 1942 Primavera Reposado comes in a very tall, good-looking corked bottle, is 80 proof, costs around $110, and can be found where nicer bottles are sold. It is 100% agave and has been aged over 8 months in white oak and then finished in the above-mentioned orange wine barrels.
As a rule, we are fans of Don Julio tequilas, but neither of us has tried this expression. We are also, in general, fans of the somewhat new procedure of finishing liquors in other types of barrels, think Angel’s Envy Rye. Our experience with this type of finishing is with Bourbon, we have not had one with tequila. Hopefully, it will add to the enjoyment not distract.
NOSE
Todd: Agave, honey, and citrus fruit up front with white pepper, melon, and dark fruit right behind. Can’t wait to taste.
Matt: Smells very fresh with baked fruits and agave nectar.
TASTE
Todd: Very smooth neat with fresh orange citrus, honey, and hints of vanilla.
Matt: Sweet but savory, with tastes of almonds, honey, dark fruit, vanilla ice cream, and a hint of leather.
FINISH
Todd: Medium long with more spice and a little warmth.
Matt: Medium with some peppery spice and a bit more fruit.
OVERALL
Todd: Love it, this is my new obsession.
Matt: Very good stuff. Let’s have some more.
Nose 4.5 out of 10
Taste 9.25 out of 10
Finish 4.25 out of 5
Total score 18 out of 20 barrels.
Don Julio strikes again! This is a super sipping tequila. A little high on the pricing end but it is not meant to be a daily drink. This is to be brought out for a small drink every so often with a friend or two. It is smooth, has the nose and taste you are looking for in a traditional tequila, and comes in a real cool-looking bottle. As for the orange wine barrel finish, it did give it a little more citrus than other tequilas and you could pick up a very slight taste of the orange. All in all, it added to the enjoyment.
We know it is a little money for this tequila, but if you can spare it, and you are a big tequila person, you need to add Don Julio 1942 Primavera Reposado to your collection. You will be happy you did.
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