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Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Both Don Julio and 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
Patron or Don Julio: 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.
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!
Reference:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-tequila-760706
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.
You should add the huge difference of Don Julio using additives for flavoring and which Patron does not…that’s a huge deal breaker in the tequila community.
You’re right! I just updated the article, thanks for your input 🙂
Thank you for the suggestion, it sure is a huge deal breaker!!
Thanks!
Don is the best then Casa Miguel Majondo 1800 Jose quavo Patron
The current Don Julio is also not the original. When Smirnoff bought the brand, all they got was the name.
Hi, Thank you for the review. I have been looking for Patron Tequila XO Cafe for several weeks now but had no luck. I’m located in St Cloud, Fl. and everywhere I go locally doesn’t carry it. I am willing to travel to get it but can’t seem to find a place that Carrie’s it. Have they discontinued it or is it a really rare find🙂. I’ll take any information you can share please on where to find it. Thank you so much!!!