Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Both Don Julio vs Patron Tequila give an overwhelming flavor when sipped and are considered a sophisticated spirit. Both are also considered as top tequila brands, but which one would fit your taste?
Our team spent 48 hours researching which among these two brands might suit your taste
Don Julio vs Patron Tequila: Which Is A Better Tequila?
Don Julio and Patron are both considered famous tequila brands all over the world.
The first one is famous for utilizing blue Agave plants in creating their aged tequilas with a remarkable taste.
On the other hand, Patron uses the same plant with agave juice and is fermented for a period of three days.
Patron Tequila is verified additive-free, which means that they do not add other ingredients to the tequila to alter the color, taste, or smell.
Additives include food coloring, oak extracts, glycerin, and synthetic agave.
Meanwhile, it has not been verified if Don Julio tequilas do not contain additives to change the color and enhance the taste.
What Is Don Julio?
Don Julio is a luxury tequila brand considered as the grandfather of superior tequilas.
Their products undergo a meticulous procedure – from growing fresh agave plants up to the distillation process.
This brand is also famous for giving a sweet and spicy feeling to the throat with inviting aromas with every drink and, of course, their famous classy bottles that broke the norm.
What is Patron?
Patron is also a top-shelf tequila brand that also uses blue agave for its drinks.
They use a piece of stripping equipment called Coa in removing the leaves to get the piña.
The brand also adds lime juices, fruits, and spices that drinkers surely enjoy sipping. They also utilize Tahona wheels to squeeze the juices from agave fibers.
How Do They Differ
History
The Don Julio tequila got its name after the owner of this brand. He started it in 1942 when he saw a promising opportunity to invest in a tequila business in Mexico.
His passion and determination were the reasons the first tequila distillery he built became a huge success.
John Paul DeJoria founded the Patron Spirits Company in 1989. They first produced 12,000 bottled cocktails and sold them for around $37 in Mexico.
His grit and hard work was the main reason behind this successful tequila distillery.
Variations
Don Julio is famous for its Reposado tequila that has a one-of-a-kind flavoring and aroma.
It is aged for eight months using white oak barrels and is best when partnered with a cocktail. They also have Don Julio Blanco tequila flavored with agave plants and citrus.
Patron offers several types of silver tequila and Gran Patron with different variations like Smoky, Platinum, Piedra, and Burdeos.
They are known for creating añejo and silver tequila with a distinct taste and full-bodied flavor.
Aroma & Flavor
Don Julio Reposado has an agave smell with a hint of honey. It also gives a sweet and spicy oak flavor.
Their Blanco tequila has a lemon and citrus savor with a light and sweet agave flavor. Don Julio Añejo has a citrus aroma blend and a full-bodied cooked agave taste.
On the other hand, Gran Patron Platinum and Smokey taste smooth and contain agaves and a combination of a citrus mix aroma.
Prestige
Aside from the exceptional taste, Don Julio is known for making short bottled tequila drinks.
The purpose of creating the design is to produce a classy and distinct bottle that will not block your view on the party table.
Patron is also a good tequila recognized for its sophisticated crystal clear bottle design that catches even the attention of celebrities!
Alcohol Level
Both Don Julio and Patron drinks have 40% alcohol by volume. Anything at this level makes you get drunk immediately after taking a couple of shots.
But what’s the cheapest tequila for shots?
Base Ingredients
Both Patron and Don Julio’s tequilas use a blue agave plant as the base ingredients of their liquor.
Don Julio ensures that they harvest at the highlands of Jalisco, where they can get fertile agave plants.
Meanwhile, Patron lets their Jimador experts collect an agave plant with optimal sugar content.
Read: Patron Silver & Kirkland Tequila Silver Comparison
Distillation
The double distillation procedure of Don Julio creates a smooth and complex flavor that is best when drinking at a party.
Patron, on the other hand, distills their fermented mixture using small copper pots that make the agaves pure and smooth. These are best to drink neat or on the rocks.
Production Process
Don Julio utilizes fresh agaves from a specific region in Jalisco Highlands. They allow seven to ten years before harvesting the plants.
Afterward, they cut them into thirds or quarters and steam them using masonry ovens. This gives enough temperature and humidity for the drinks they produce.
Patron also selects the sweetest agaves for their tequilas. They cook and crush them with Tahona or a roller mill.
They have over 11,000 barrels in their aging room which can create various unique blends of cocktails.
Read: Patron Tequila & Pineapple Smooth Cocktail
Price
The Don Julio Blanco with 750ml is around $46.99 to $58.99. It is more expensive than Patron Silver that costs roughly $43.99 to $50.99.
The Gran Patron Piedra starts at $329.99 to 399.99, which is cheaper when compared to Don Julio Real Tequila.
*Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
Aside from the ingredients, the price varies on each bottle size.
We highly recommend these brands if you are looking for cheap tequila made with high-quality ingredients and has excellent flavors at the same time.
Don Julio vs Patron Tequila: Process
Harvesting: Don Julio begins with the cultivation of Blue Weber Agave plants in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The agaves are allowed to mature for seven to ten years, ensuring optimal sugar content.
Harvesting the Piñas: The heart of the agave, called the piña, is harvested by jimadores. These skilled agave farmers use a coa (a special harvesting tool) to remove the leaves and extract the piñas.
Cooking: The piñas undergo traditional brick oven cooking, where they are slowly roasted for three days. This process converts the starches into sugars, contributing to the tequila’s sweetness.
Crushing and Extraction: After cooking, the softened piñas are crushed to extract their juice. Don Julio employs a roller mill, which is more gentle than traditional methods, preserving the agave’s delicate flavor.
Fermentation: The extracted juice is then fermented in stainless steel tanks for several days. This stage converts sugars into alcohol, creating a low-alcohol liquid called pulque.
Distillation: The pulque is distilled twice in copper pot stills to separate alcohol from impurities. This process is done with care to retain the agave’s essential flavors.
Aging (optional): Depending on the tequila variant, the spirit may be aged in American white oak barrels. Don Julio Reposado and Añejo, for example, undergo aging, contributing to their unique characteristics.
Bottling: The final tequila is meticulously bottled, and each bottle is labeled and numbered, signifying Don Julio’s dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail.
In comparing the two processes, both Don Julio and Patrón share similarities in their commitment to using high-quality agave, traditional cooking methods, and meticulous distillation. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference for specific flavor profiles, aging processes, and brand loyalty.
The Popularity Of Don Julio And Patron Tequila
Don Julio and Patrón are undeniably two of the most popular and prestigious tequila brands globally, each earning widespread acclaim for their exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to quality.
Don Julio, named after its founder Don Julio González, has become synonymous with luxury and tradition in the world of tequila. Crafted using 100% Blue Weber Agave, Don Julio tequilas are celebrated for their smoothness and complex flavor profiles. The brand offers a range of expressions, including the sought-after Don Julio Reposado and Añejo, aged to perfection in oak barrels, imparting subtle nuances of vanilla, caramel, and spice.
Don Julio’s dedication to premium ingredients and traditional production methods has earned it a place among the elite tequila choices.Similarly, Patrón has achieved iconic status as a symbol of high-end tequila. Renowned for its meticulous distillation process and use of 100% Weber Blue Agave, Patrón tequilas boast a smooth and refined taste.
The brand’s portfolio includes a variety of expressions, such as Patrón Silver, Reposado, and Añejo, each contributing distinct flavors to the lineup. Patrón’s sleek packaging, commitment to quality, and widespread recognition as a top-shelf tequila have solidified its status as a go-to choice for those seeking a premium and sophisticated tequila experience.
Both Don Julio and Patrón have successfully transcended the tequila category, appealing to enthusiasts, celebrities, and connoisseurs alike. Their popularity is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship, premium ingredients, and exceptional taste that define these two iconic tequila brands in the spirits world.
Don Julio vs Patron Reposado
Don Julio vs Patron Tequila FAQs
How is Don Julio Blanco compared to Patron Silver?
Don Julio Blanco is the best tequila, even when compared to Patron Silver. It has a lemon, grapefruit, and agave aroma that you can drink neat or on the rocks.
On the other hand, Patron silver smells pleasant because of the agave’s scent, but it lacks depth and taste complexity compared to the Don Julio Blanco.
Which is more popular, Patron or Don Julio?
Don Julio’s tequila is more popular than Patron. The latter is not that popular in Mexico compared to Don Julio tequilas admired anywhere in the world.
You cannot find a bar without it, proving the remarkable tequila taste and satisfaction it gives its drinkers.
Final Thoughts
Don Julio and Patron are both premium tequila brands that you see on almost any bar and easily buy on the market. They utilize fresh agaves and explore different distillation processes to create satisfying blends you can enjoy for either a neat shot or on the rocks drinking experience.
These two use the same base ingredients but have varying procedures in creating their tequila [1]. For instance, Don Julio cuts their pinas while Patron crushes theirs with miller and Tahona.
Even if their processes vary, Don Julio and Patron both produce the best tequila bottles in the world. If you’re tired of drinking champagne, pop open a bottle of Don Julio or Patron and create flavorful Margaritas!
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