Don Julio 1942 is technically an añejo as it is aged for only 2 1/2 years in used American oak barrels, though it misses the extra añejo qualification by only 6 months. 1942 is the year that Don Julio Gonzáles established his distillery, Tequila Tres Magueyes. This Highland tequila, along with their Real bottling, is distilled a 2nd time in a smaller stainless steel pot still that has a maximum capacity of 3 barrels per distillation.
When they changed the bottle to the taller, darker brown design of today, I smelled it and realized it was different! To be honest, I got angry, and I childishly refused to drink it ever again!
I thought to myself: “Why did they mess with such a good thing?!”
Years go by, and after we launched the Tequila Matchmaker, we saw Don Julio 1942 shoot right up the charts to become the most popular tequila according to our users. All these people can’t be wrong, so we decided to give it another try. We wanted it to be absolutely fair, so we used the “blind rating” tool within the Tequila Matchmaker. This is a cool feature built into the app that makes it possible to rate a tequila without any biases.
We were shocked to discover that Scarlet and I both liked the NEW version better!
This was totally unexpected. When a tequila brand changes a bottle or recipe, it’s usually because they are trying to save some money at the expense of quality. But this was clearly not the case here.
The new Don Julio 1942 has a little more vanilla, and slightly more caramelized baked agave to the aroma. The older formula smells great, but the new stuff smells even better. The flavor is deeper, richer, rounder, and has a slightly cleaner finish.
We were so surprised by this that we had to get other people involved. So over the course of several months, we invited 12 different tequila enthusiasts to our house and gave them 2 glasses marked “A”, and “B”. We didn’t tell them what it was, and asked them to tell us “which do you like better?”
Only 8% said they liked both equally, while 25% said they liked the old stuff, and 67% said the new Don Julio 1942 was better. Validation!
Afterward, we told them what they had just tasted, and almost everyone was surprised.
So, the next time your favorite tequila changes something, don’t panic! Just remain calm, do your own blind taste test, because you may be pleasantly surprised.
We’d love to know what you think, too. Log into the Tequila Matchmaker and share your ratings with us!
There is no question about the quality of tequila spirits from Don Julio. But you probably asked about the difference between the two commemorative bottles, 1942 and 70. 1942 is one of the smoothest tequila on the market. Is the 70 even close?Let’s find out in this in-depth Don Julio 70 vs 1942 as we compare two of the best tequilas in the world.
Contents
- Don Julio 70 & 1942 In-Depth Comparison
- Take A Closer Look At Their Differences
- History
- Production & Aging Process
- Tequila Type
- Flavor Profile
- Taste
- Aroma
- Color
- Finish
- Price
- FAQs
- So, Which Don Julio Tequila Is Better?
Don Julio 70 & 1942 In-Depth Comparison
Don Julio 70 and 1942 are special tequila blends coming from Tequila Tres Magueyes S.A. de C.V. distillery in Mexico.
The 70 tequila was rested for over a year and went through filtration. It has the full flavor of an añejo, but it appears like a Blanco. On the other hand, Don Julio 1942 tequila is a typical añejo variant but owns a plethora of flavors.
Take A Closer Look At Their Differences
History
Don Julio 70 is an Añejo tequila released in 2012 to commemorate its 70th year in the tequila industry. It is a charcoal-filtered drink, a rarity when it was first created.
Don Julio 1942 is another Añejo tequila released in 2002 for the 60th anniversary of Don Julio Gonzales in the industry.
Production & Aging Process
Don Julio 70 was a rare añejo as it went through charcoal filtration [1] after aging for 18 months in ex-bourbon American White oak barrels.
1942 is nearly identical to the regular añejo except for the complex aroma. These are rested between 32 and 35 months using their smallest still, Pot Still 6.
Tequila Type
The 70 tequila is a filtered añejo that appears like a Blanco. However, you can savor a rested spirit because this is aged inside an American White oak barrel.
The 1942 variant appears similar to Don Julio’s regular Añejo, but the flavor of 1942 tequila is smoother since it is aged much longer.
Read: Most Recommended Don Julio Tequilas
Flavor Profile
Taste
Don Julio 70 tastes differently from the Blanco made by this distillery. The cooked agave from Mexico and the notes of pepper are very flavorful. The texture is smooth and easy, making it a good choice for sipping.
Don Julio 1942 can offer the full sweetness of cooked agave, sweet spices, vanilla, black pepper, and wood. Mid-palate has chocolate, fruity flavors, and vanilla influenced by the whiskey barrels. This is a must on your bar. But is Don Julio 1942 tequila available at Costco?
Aroma
The 70 tequila has rich aromas of cooked agave and fruity flavors. It is followed by the sweetness of vanilla and a very faint oak flavor.
Don Julio 1942 perfectly represents the flavors of the ex-bourbon casks it was aged with. The sweet mixed notes of sugar, agave, rose, and wet wood touches the nose almost as soon as you open the bottle.
Color
The 70 tequila has a colorless shade like a Blanco tequila, but with apparent viscosity, making it a great mixing base. This drink also exceeds the flavors and aromas of the Blanco and Don Julio Reposado.
Don Julio 1942 has a deep straw gold color similar to what a regular rested tequila looks like. It went through a long aging process, making the color darker. It can offer way more complex flavors, making it great to drink neat.
Finish
The 70 tequila has an easy medium finish with sweet white chocolate and agave notes. It is a great buy if you enjoy drinks on the rocks as it has a sweet palate.
1942 is what others call “acquired liking.” It finishes strong, long, and woody with a fruity-minty taste and a rich, spicy piña taste. The flavor tasted like the most complex in the world but very easy to swallow.
Price
Although the 70 variant is a limited edition drink, this tequila variant costs less than 1942. You can buy a 750 ml bottle of this variant for around $72.
Don Julio 1942, on the other hand, has a higher price on the market, which is roughly $182 for each 750ml bottle. This tequila had a long time during the aging process, influencing its market price.
FAQs
Which is better for sipping, Don Julio 70 or 1942?
Don Julio 1942 is better for sipping than the 70 because of its complex flavor and aroma. Manufacturers had these spirits rest longer, making them perfectly smooth and flavorful.
Is Don Julio 1942 smoother than Don Julio 70?
Yes, Don Julio 1942 is smoother than Don Julio 70. The longer the tequila rest, the smoother it gets. Some are stored in whiskey barrels, and these tequilas acquire the sweet flavors, making them a great drink to enjoy neat.
So, Which Don Julio Tequila Is Better?
The 1942 Don Julio is better based on our research and taste tests. Don Julio 1942 may not be the most ordered at the bar, but it is easy to swallow. Once tasted, it is easy on the mouth when sipped and easy to mix with other liquors or on the rocks. You can open a bottle any time.
We asked ourselves if Don Julio 70 tequila is far behind, and the answer is no. It is even a way better mixing base. This tequila brand has proven so many times that it can provide great-tasting drinks, and the Don Julio 70 and 1942 variants are no exception.