Last Updated on: 5th April 2024, 09:20 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as an agave spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between 1800 Reposado vs Don Julio Reposado in this head-to-head comparison and decide which Tequila is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
1800 Reposado vs Don Julio Reposado: Head-to-Head
1800 Reposado Tequila: Budget-friendly with vanilla, oak, and caramel notes. Best for mixing in cocktails, offering a basic taste profile that may not stand out for neat sipping.
Don Julio Reposado Tequila: Balanced with roasted agave, vanilla, and citrus. Offers a classic, smooth sipping experience with a blend of sweetness and spice.
Verdict: 1800 Reposado provides value for those mixing drinks. Don Julio Reposado is a higher-priced, quality choice for those who enjoy sipping their tequila. Each serves different preferences in the tequila spectrum, states agave spirits expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Top-Ranked Reposados Under $30
1800 Reposado: A Budget-friendly Option for Mixing
- Nose: Vanilla, lemon, oak, alcohol
- Palate: Agave, oak, caramel, alcohol
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
- Similar to: 1800 Añejo
1800 Reposado offers a budget-friendly option for those looking for a tequila to use in cocktails. While not ideal for sipping neat, its price point makes it a reasonable choice for mixing.
Aroma: The nose initially presents bourbon-like notes.
Flavor: The taste is light-bodied and may feel somewhat diluted with hints of butterscotch and charred oak. Unfortunately, the experience is diminished by the alcohol burn and black pepper notes.
Short Finish: The finish is brief, leaving only a fleeting smoky sensation.
Better in Cocktails: While not recommended for sipping, the experience improves when served over ice. Its affordability makes it a decent option for mixing cocktails.
1800 Reposado – Additional Info:
- Aged for 6 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels.
- Named after the year tequila was officially recognized as a spirit (1800).
- Launched in 1975 as a premium sipping tequila by Jose Cuervo.
- Crafted at the Jose Cuervo distillery.
Remember, drink responsibly!
Don Julio Reposado: A Classic Reposado Experience
- Nose: Roasted agave, caramel, oak, vanilla
- Palate: Agave, vanilla, citrus, caramel, oak
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat or rocks
- Similar to: Casamigos Reposado
Don Julio Reposado offers a balanced and enjoyable Reposado tequila experience, making it a great choice for sipping.
Aromatic Notes: The nose greets you with prominent roasted agave accompanied by subtle hints of caramel, vanilla, and oak.
Flavor Profile: The taste is a delightful blend of agave and vanilla, intertwined with hints of citrus, caramel, and oak.
Smooth Finish: The finish is medium to long, leaving a gentle warmth and lingering notes of agave, vanilla, and caramel, with a subtle touch of bitterness.
A Well-Balanced Sip: Don Julio Reposado finds a sweet spot between sweetness, spice, and oak flavors, making it a pleasurable sipping tequila.
Smooth and Approachable: Its smoothness and harmonious blend of vanilla and citrus, along with a touch of sweetness and oak, contribute to its widespread appeal.
Classic Choice: While it may not hold the top spot it once did, Don Julio Reposado remains a highly enjoyable and accessible option for many tequila drinkers.
Don Julio Reposado – Additional Notes:
- Aged for 8 months in American white oak barrels.
- Founded by Don Julio Gonzalez, who began making tequila at the age of 17 in 1942.
Price comparison
| Tequila | Price |
| 1800 Reposado | $30 |
| Don Julio Reposado | $60 |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | 1800 | Don Julio |
| Type of tequila | Reposado | Reposado |
| Aging length | 6 months | 8 months |
| 100% agave | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding method | Roller mill | Roller mill |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | Yes | Yes |
| Wood tank fermentation | No | No |
| Cooking method | Autoclave | Stone ovens |
| Double-distilled | Yes | No |
| Triple-distilled | No | Yes |
| Additives | Unsure | Unsure |
| Certified organic | No | No |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Proof | 80 | 80 |