The Legendary Lost 20-Year-Old Barrel of Don Julio Tequila

The Legendary Lost Barrel of Don Julio Tequila

In the world of ultra-premium tequilas, few names command more respect than Don Julio. For over 75 years, the Don Julio distillery in the Jalisco region of Mexico has been handcrafting some of the smoothest and most coveted tequilas on the planet.

The crown jewel of the Don Julio portfolio is without a doubt the ultra-rare Don Julio 1942. Named in honor of the year that founder Don Julio Gonzalez began his tequila-making journey, 1942 is aged for a minimum of 2 and a half years in American white oak barrels. This extended maturation period gives 1942 its signature creamy vanilla and toasted oak flavors that have made it a favorite of tequila aficionados worldwide.

However, the rarest and most sought-after expression of Don Julio comes not from their stocks of 1942, but from a single legendary barrel that was "lost" for over 20 years before being rediscovered by Don Julio's son in the early 2000s.

The Origins of the Lost Barrel

The story begins in 1982, when Don Julio filled a single oak barrel with his personal reserve of extra añejo tequila. At the time, tequila categories like extra añejo did not even exist, but Don Julio wanted to see how an extended aging period would impact the flavor.

Don Julio stored the barrel in his private warehouse and essentially forgot about it as decades passed. Sadly, Don Julio passed away in the late 1990s, leaving the distillery to his son who honors his father's legacy to this day.

In the early 2000s, Don Julio's son was taking inventory of his father's private tequila reserves when he stumbled upon the long-lost barrel. Amazingly, after nearly 20 years of maturation, there was still liquid inside. He sampled the tequila and was shocked at the incredible complexity and depth of flavor.

It was unlike any tequila ever produced by Don Julio. There were layers of vanilla, roasted agave, and oak complemented by enticing secondary notes of cinnamon, chocolate, and toasted coconut. He knew immediately this was something special that deserved to be shared with the world.

An Ultra-Rare Tequila Treasure

Don Julio's son bottled the precious liquid from the rediscovered barrel and aptly named it "Tequila Gran Julio" in honor of his late father. Only a few hundred bottles were filled, making Tequila Gran Julio one of the rarest and most coveted spirits on the planet.

Enthusiasts who have been fortunate enough to taste this legendary elixir describe it as the pinnacle of the tequila experience. The extended maturation gives Gran Julio a staggering depth and complexity far beyond even Don Julio's renowned 1942 expression.

On the nose, Gran Julio delivers opulent aromas of vanilla, roasted agave, and oak along with enticing notes of orange peel, caramel, and baking spices. On the palate, flavors of cinnamon, chocolate, coffee, and honeycomb give way to an exceptionally long, velvety finish.

Despite its 20+ years in the barrel, Gran Julio maintains a beautiful balance. Its oak notes are pronounced but expertly integrated, never overpowering the signature flavors of the agave. It's a testament to the genius of Don Julio, who even decades ago knew how to craft a tequila built to stand the test of time.

The Hunt for Gran Julio

Given the miniscule number of bottles and its status as a legacy tequila from Don Julio himself, Tequila Gran Julio immediately became a holy grail for collectors. Yet with so little liquid available, very few have had the opportunity to taste this legendary expression.

Bottles have surfaced at high-end liquor auctions, often fetching prices upwards of $5,000. One of Mexico's most prestigious restaurants, Pujol, even offers Gran Julio by the glass for a staggering $100 per ounce.

For most tequila lovers, tasting the original Gran Julio remains a distant dream. But we can still raise a glass to Don Julio Gonzalez, who unknowingly created one of the greatest tequilas ever conceived over 20 years before it was finally unveiled to the world.

Salud, Don Julio!

FAQs about Rare Don Julio Tequilas

What is Don Julio's rarest tequila?

Don Julio's rarest and most coveted tequila is Tequila Gran Julio. It comes from a single barrel filled in 1982 by Don Julio Gonzalez himself and forgotten about for over 20 years. Only a few hundred bottles exist, making it one of the rarest tequilas in the world.

How old is Don Julio 1942?

Don Julio 1942 is aged for a minimum of 2.5 years before bottling. The extended aging gives it flavors of vanilla and oak that have made 1942 the flagship ultra-premium tequila of the Don Julio brand.

What does Don Julio 1942 taste like?

Don Julio 1942 has a complex taste profile with layers of vanilla, roasted agave, and oak. Hints of butterscotch, cinnamon, and chocolate create an exceptionally smooth and mellow sipping tequila meant for slow enjoyment.

How much does Don Julio 1942 cost?

A standard 750ml bottle of Don Julio 1942 generally retails between $150-200. It's one of the pricier ultra-premium tequilas on the market but still obtainable for many collectors and tequila aficionados.

How is Tequila Gran Julio different?

Tequila Gran Julio is aged over 20 years, much longer than 1942. This extended maturation gives it a depth and complexity far beyond 1942. With strong oak notes balanced by vanilla, roasted agave, and exotic spice flavors, it's considered one of the greatest tequilas ever produced.

FAQs

How long was Tequila Gran Julio aged for?

Tequila Gran Julio was aged for over 20 years in a single oak barrel before being discovered and bottled in the early 2000s.

What flavor notes does Tequila Gran Julio have?

Gran Julio has complex flavors of vanilla, roasted agave, oak, orange peel, caramel, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee, and honeycomb.

Why is Tequila Gran Julio so expensive?

Only a few hundred bottles were ever filled from the one rediscovered barrel, making Gran Julio incredibly rare. Its legacy as Don Julio's personal aged tequila also adds to its collectible status.

Where can I buy a bottle of Tequila Gran Julio?

Gran Julio is extremely hard to find. Occasionally bottles appear at high-end liquor auctions or on the menus of exclusive restaurants. But it remains one of the rarest tequilas in the world.

Is Tequila Gran Julio still being produced?

No, once the original lost barrel of Gran Julio was bottled in the early 2000s, no more could be produced. It was a one-time limited release of an aged tequila blend crafted by Don Julio decades prior.