All You Need to Know About Don Julio 1942

Don Julio 1942 represents the pinnacle of luxury Tequila. To speak of this elixir is to speak of a tribute to the tequila industry that transpired over more than eighty years. Here, we provide the history and some Don Julio 1942 tasting notes to inform your decision to buy Don Julio 1942 Tequila online.

What is Tequila Don Julio 1942?

In the first place, Don Julio produces Tequila, not Mezcal and not other spirits.

Legend has it that a lightning bolt struck an agave plant, giving rise to a fermented and spirited elixir: Tequila. Stories like this have endured through the years, just as this gift of nature has. Domesticated by pre-Hispanic indigenous peoples, the agave first offered its benefits as pulque; later, it evolved into “mezcal de tequila,” and finally, into tequila—a spirit with a designation of origin that has now symbolizes the Mexican nation.

Tequila lovers pay tribute and celebrate stories like this, just as Don Julio González did from his youth until his passing in 2012, and just as Don Julio 1942 does—the crown jewel of the brand. This exceptional tequila is crafted from agave and aged to achieve extraordinary levels of flavor and character.

• Don Julio 1942’s aroma features notes of vanilla, sweet chocolate, and caramel.
• Its flavor is pleasantly infused with vanilla and chocolate, complemented by hints of caramel, nuts, almonds, and coffee, with a dark chocolate finish and a long-lasting aftertaste.
• The best-selling Don Julio 1942 cocktail is very simple: The “1942 Neat.”

“Tequila has an immensely significant cultural weight. It’s the drink that put Mexico on the global map,” says Karina Sánchez, the brand’s global ambassador. “And that cultural weight comes with a legend, one that speaks of mysticism. That’s also where our love for the land comes from.”

Don Julio 1742: The History

The founder of the distillery found three values in agave production that then guided his life—and the brand’s—which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2022. Born on January 7, 1925, in Atotonilco el Alto, Don Julio González discovered his love for the land, his passion for hard work, and the importance of community when, with a loan of twenty thousand pesos, he crafted his first tequila in 1942.

Five years later, he built La Primavera distillery. Over the years, González would go on to produce the world’s first luxury tequila, Don Julio Reposado; the first crystal-clear añejo, Don Julio 70; and the pinnacle of luxury tequila worldwide, Don Julio 1942. It was created in 2002 to celebrate his sixty years in the industry. Today, more than twenty years later, it continues to honor that legacy.

“We do what we do out of love because that’s how Don Julio González did things. His devotion and the love he poured into the land, the process, and his people are what have endured through us,” explains Sánchez. “We remain passionate about our land, we patiently wait for the agaves to reach optimal maturity before harvesting, and we continue to cultivate in the best soils—mostly in Los Altos, the land Don Julio chose.”

A single bottle of Don Julio 1942 is enough to bear witness to the celebration this label represents and the evolution it has signified for Mexico’s cultural identity. At La Primavera, tequila was transformed into a luxury spirit. “We enrich and evolve this passion into a concept born out of love for the land—sustainability. Now, we seek out spaces that haven’t been previously deforested for planting our agaves. We also build communities wherever we go, creating jobs in the areas where we plant agaves and implementing strategies to address water stress in certain regions. We take pride, but we also embrace the commitment and responsibility to preserve what must be preserved.”

How is Don Julio 1942 Made and Aged?

Don Julio 1942 is a model of perfection, produced through an exceptional process with meticulous standards: agave plants are always spaced evenly to ensure optimal growth; the piñas (the heart of the agave plant) must arrive at the distillery within three days of being harvested to guarantee freshness. “For a bottle of 1942 to reach your table, at least eight and a half years must pass.

It’s a process that requires time—the agaves undergo slow cooking, and the tequila is fermented with a yeast strain developed by Don Julio González himself. The aging process of Don Julio 1942 exceeds industry standards for its category—while the standard is twelve months, we age ours for twenty-four,” Sánchez said in an interview.

The resulting Don Julio 1942 is a luxuriant amber color, inviting you to take a sip.

What does Don Julio 1942 Tequila Taste Like?

The result is a spirit with a unique body and profile, featuring notes of vanilla, banana, caramel, and dark chocolate in the finish, along with subtle spice, cooked agave, a hint of citrus, and dried fruit. The tannins in the tequila come from oak barrels, with no additives whatsoever. All of this is contained in a bottle that, sober yet elegant, represents the agave plant but, above all, celebrates devotion, legacy, and transcendence.

What to Mix with Don Julio 1942?

While Don Julio 1942 is most commonly enjoyed neat to appreciate its complex flavor profile, there are several sophisticated mixing options that can complement its premium character.

The key is to use high-quality mixers that enhance rather than mask its distinctive notes of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. A splash of premium sparkling mineral water can open up the tequila's subtle flavors while maintaining its integrity. For cocktails, the 1942 Luxury Margarita pairs the tequila with fresh lime juice, a touch of agave nectar, and Grand Marnier, garnished with a dehydrated lime wheel.

Another elegant option is the 1942 Old Fashioned, which combines tequila with a small amount of agave syrup and aromatic bitters, garnished with an orange peel. For those seeking a refreshing twist, the 1942 Paloma elevates the classic cocktail by using fresh grapefruit juice, premium sparkling water, and a pink Himalayan salt rim.

However, given the exceptional quality and price point of Don Julio 1942, many connoisseurs prefer to savor it in its purest form, as intended by its creators.

How Much is Don Julio 1942?

Whether sipped neat or enjoyed in a crafted cocktail, Don Julio 1942 stands as a testament to the legacy of its namesake, delivering a tequila experience that is never short of extraordinary.  When you buy Don Julio 1942 online at Bottle Barn, the price is just $179.99.