Casamigos vs Don Julio Tequila (2023 Updated)

Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin

Casamigos and Don Julio are two top-shelf tequilas all tequila lovers know because of their versatility and great taste. 

We gathered the primary differences between Casamigos vs Don Julio to see how they fare against each other – flavor, smoothness, the works. 

Don Julio & Casamigos Compared 

Don Julio and Casamigos are two popular tequila brands loved by many because of their distinct flavor. Don Julio and Casamigos differ in different aspects, but the primary difference lies in the flavor of tequila. 

Crafted from different distilleries, the two brands share the same company-Diageo, a British company that owns over 200 liquor brands. 

How Are They Different? 

History

Casamigos is a top-shelf tequila brand co-founded by American actor George Clooney and his friend Rander Gerber. The brand intended to make a tequila that is easy to sip and will give a manageable hangover. 

Don Julio is a tequila that has established a great reputation in producing distilled spirits since 1942. The brand was founded by Master Distiller Don Julio Gonzalez who began distilling agaves at 17. 

Read: What’s the Best Tequila For No Hangover?

Production Process

Don Julio is crafted with excellence by using a modern production process. The base ingredients are steamed for 72 hours before grounding. Then it will undergo double distillation to ensure its purity and smoothness. 

Casamigos uses the traditional production process to release the perfect balance and taste of the tequilas.

The agave plant from Jalisco Highlands is steamed for 72 hours, fermented for 80 hours, then distilled twice. But who makes Casamigos tequila?

Base Materials

Casamigos uses 100% hand-selected blue agave aged 7-9 years old, while Don Julio uses the finest blue agave plant from Jalisco Highlands aged 7-10 years old. Tequilas are made from agave plants harvested in Mexico, and it produces sweet tasting notes. Moreso, since the base materials of tequila are from Mexico, it is considered one of Mexico’s national treasures. 

Flavor Profile

Palate

Casamigos Tequila is smooth, light, and flavorful, while Don Julio Tequila is more robust and has a traditional taste. Casamigos Tequila Blanco is sweeter and has a more vanilla spice, while Don Julio Blanco tequila features spicy black pepper notes.

Don Julio Reposado has richer and more sweet notes, while Casamigos has a smoother and creamier flavor. Lastly, Casamigos Añejo has a rich flavor like scotch, while Don Julio is floral, refreshing, and fruity. Here’s a more detailed review of Don Julio 70. 

Nose

Don Julio Tequilas has hints of agave blended with citrus notes like lime, grapefruit, and lemon. On the contrary, Casamigos has strong vanilla notes with minty and agave hints. Casamigos Blanco has sweet and mild peppers, while Don Julio Blanco is on the citrusy and earthy side. 

Casamigos Reposado has strong caramel and vanilla notes, while Don Julio Reposado has strong notes of citrus and vanilla. Lastly, Don Julio Añejo has unique freshness with fruity and oaky aroma hints, while Casamigos has a rich aroma of citrus, honey, and vanilla. 

Read: Casamigos Reposado & Blanco Compared

Color

Don Julio Blanco and Casamigos Blanco has clear apperance and are considered silver tequila. Don Julio Reposado has a lighter color than Casamigos. On the other hand, Casamigos Añejo and Don Julio Añejo have an amber to golden appearance due to maturation in oak barrels. 

Finish

We always enjoy drinking different spirits, but Casamigos has a nice and light finish compared to Don Julio’s. The traditional process of Don Julio makes the tequila bolder and more robust, so the finish is long and dry. 

Usage

Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas are great to drink neat, on the rocks, or as cocktails. However, Don Julio’s flavor can be harsh when sipping neat, so its traditional flavor profile mixes great with most cocktails. 

Casamigos is light and smooth, so it is the best tequila to sip neat, but you can drink it as a mixer for cocktails like margarita because of its sweet notes. 

Read: Can You Get Don Julio 1942 Tequila At Costco?

Alcohol Content

Casamigos Blanco and Don Julio Blanco, Añejo and Reposado Tequilas contain 40% alcohol by volume or 80 proof. Most tequilas contain 40 – 50% alcohol content [1], and both brands contain high ABV like other tequilas, which can make you drunk with few shots. 

Price

Casamigos’ prices per bottle are not much different from Don Julio’s. A bottle of Don Julio Blanco costs around $53, while Casamigos Blanco is approximately $51 per bottle. The price varies on each expression, but typically there is a 2-3 bucks difference in their price point. 

How Are They Similar?

Casamigos and Don Julio share the same primary company Diageo and use agaves as their main ingredients for the tequila. They have similar cooking methods, double distillation, and ABV. Also, you can drink it neat, with ice, or as cocktails. Here’s what to mix with Casamigos tequila.  

FAQs

Is Casamigos as good as Don Julio?

Yes, Casamigos is as good as Don Julio. It has sweet notes and subtle spices like black pepper, caramel, and cinnamon. 

Which tequila is better to sip neat, Don Julio or Casamigos?

Casamigos is better to sip neat. The tequila is incredibly smooth and has a light and flavorful taste ideal for sipping. 

Final Thoughts 

The tequila world consistently compares Casamigos vs Don Julio because of their similarities. However, the two best-tasting tequila on the market have distinct and unique tastes, so it boils down to personal preference. 

Casamigos is light and sweet, while Don Julio has a bold and rich taste that makes them different. Try a bottle now and let us know which you like best! 

Reference:

1. https://www.britannica.com/topic/tequila-distilled-liquor