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Last Updated on March 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Blanco tequila is known to be the purest and most agave-forward style of tequila.
Many tequila drinkers claim that Don Julio Blanco is one of the premium tequilas to try – but is it a rip-off or a worth-every-penny Blanco?
Here’s our on-the-dot Don Julio Blanco review. Keep reading.
Don Julio Blanco Honest Review
Don Julio Blanco is a good tequila with a soft-refined flavor profile.
The agave notes are strong enough to be noticed and offer complex flavors of menthol, tropical fruits, and white pepper.
Don Julio is made from 100% blue weber agave and proprietary yeast that is fermented and double-distilled to ensure a smooth, sweet aroma and profile.
The crystal clear Blanco tequila delivers a slight burn and smooth-tasting notes.
Unlike cheaper tequilas, it is a light, fruit-driven, and menthol-tinged Blanco to consume in shots and cocktails.
Quick Facts
| NOM | 1449 |
| Distillery & Company | Tequila Tres Magueyes S.A. de C.V. Distillery, Diageo |
| Classification & Region | Tequila, Los Altos, Jalisco Mexico |
| Alcohol Proof | 40% |
| Mash Bill | 100% Blue Weber Agave |
| Age Statement | Unaged |
| Color | Clear |
| Rating | 3 Stars |
| Average Price | Roughly $54.02 (Drizly) |
What’s Don Julio Blanco?
Don Julio Blanco is crafted using the finest agave and time-honored distillation for tequila in its purest and truest form [1].
Their Blanco is the base for all the variants of the Don Julio Brand.
Blanco is commonly called “silver” because of its crystal clear appearance. It features citrus notes and a crisp agave note that elevates cocktail recipes.
Don Julio Blanco is an authentic tequila from Jalisco, Mexico, and the brand was established by Don julio González.
Every bottle has complex black pepper, vanilla, and agave notes flavors.
The Highland tequila can be a base liquor for cocktail recipes but also drinks nicely when sipping neat, with ice, and in shots.
What Does Don Julio Blanco Tequila Taste Like?
Nose
As we opened the bottle, the Highland tequila welcomed us with a bright and cheerful aroma.
The lemon and citrus notes come across and are followed by hints of white pepper and agave.
The hints of citrus (lime, lemon, and grapefruit juice) are evident as it sits in the glass.
The tropical fruit is present and lingers on our nose with a slight medicinal note.
Palate
It enters sweet and round with a little burn. It is heavy on the fruit notes and offers grassy vegetal notes on the mid-palate.
While sipping, we enjoyed a lovely stone fruit, white pepper, citrus, and menthol taste profile.
Its light profile is its most prominent feature because it blends seamlessly in cocktails like Margaritas and Mojito.
Finish
The smooth peppery finish makes the Blanco more remarkable than other tequilas. We all enjoyed the sweet and light tropical fruit sensation.
The finish has an agave taste, but it is not too strong; on the flip side, it has a clean taste and slight burn that makes it enjoyable to drink.
Our Thoughts
First Sip
The citrus and herbal agave flavors are the first to arrive with a tiny hint of bitterness.
The distillery did a great job balancing out the sweetness and spiciness of the tequila.
It is easy on the throat, which makes it an excellent sipper. The peppery finish is remarkable, but the bitterness (typical in liquor) is very noticeable.
Second Chance
On our second try, we made some margaritas using Don Julio Blanco, which did not disappoint.
“Tequila treats you the same way you treat it…If you aggressively slam it back, it will get mad and return the favor.”
– Steve Calabro, Bartender
The Blanco stands out nicely but does not overpower the orange liqueur and lime juice.
It is as strong as it was when we consumed it neat. Thankfully, the bitterness disappeared as it blended smoothly in the mixers.
Why We Like It
- It is versatile enough and equally appropriate to be consumed neat, with ice, and in a cocktail drink.
- It has clean, bright, agave, fruity floral notes with a lingering menthol finish.
- It was traditionally made (using brick ovens) just like when made in La Primavera.
- It can give you a minimal hangover.
Drawbacks
- It can be expensive and comparable to other brands priced less than $10 to $20.
- The bitterness and menthol hints may not be appealing to some.
Our Don Julio Blanco Rating
We will give Don Julio Blanco 3 stars for its complex yet delectable flavorings.
It has smooth and remarkable flavors you can enjoy on its own, with ice, or in a traditional cocktail drink.
Don Julio Blanco Alternatives
Don Julio is an easy-drinkable and widely available spirit, but some of the great alternatives to try are as follows:
- Patron Blanco
- El Tesoro Platinum
- Fortaleza
FAQs
Is Don Julio Blanco better for shots or Margaritas?
Don Julio Blanco is better for Margaritas. While it drinks nicely in shots, it has a neutral flavor that sits nicely in lime juice and orange liqueur.
Does Don Julio Blanco tequila give a hangover?
Yes, Don Julio Blanco can give you a hangover, but unlike other spirits, it can only give you a minimal hangover.
It does not contain too many congeners responsible for the worst hangover [2].
Does Don Julio Blanco tequila contain additives?
There are no additives in Don Julio Blanco as it is made from 100% agave.
Most of the comments about the additives are mere assumptions and were never confirmed by the brand.
In Conclusion
Don Julio Blanco of Mexico is one of the great tequila bottles and is considered a premium for its robust profile.
You can enjoy it neat and on the rocks, but we recommend trying it in cocktails, especially if you have money to burn.
Let us be clear; Don Julio Blanco is a good Blanco tequila but not the best because there are good-tasting brands at half the price of this Blanco.
With the expanded world of tequila, some may balk at the price of the tequila and count us in.
References:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-tequila-760706
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20712591/
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
