Last Updated on: 5th April 2024, 10:46 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 Don Julio Añejo vs Patron Añejo 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
Don Julio Añejo vs Patron Añejo: Head-to-Head
Don Julio Añejo: Aged 18 months, offering a warm cinnamon, vanilla, and oak profile with a hint of orange. Perfect for enjoying neat or on rocks. Appeals to those who like a bourbon-like warmth.
Patron Añejo: Aged 15 months, featuring caramel, almond, and tobacco notes. Known for its sweet and smooth finish. Best served on rocks. Ideal for those preferring a straightforward, sweet tequila experience.
Verdict: Don Julio Añejo is for those who cherish a warm, cinnamon-infused sip with a bourbon flair, while Patron Añejo suits those looking for a sweet, clean, and easy-to-enjoy tequila. Both offer unique qualities, catering to different palates at a moderate price difference, states tequila expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Recommended Añejo Tequilas
Don Julio Añejo: A Warm Cinnamon Embrace
- Nose: Oak, vanilla, caramel, orange
- Palate: Cinnamon, oak, vanilla, smoke
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat, rocks
- Similar to: 1800 Añejo
Aroma: Don Julio Añejo greets you with inviting aromas reminiscent of bourbon, featuring vanilla, oak, caramel, and a subtle hint of orange.
Flavor: Take a sip, and you’ll be met with a warmth that spreads across your palate. The star of the show is cinnamon, present throughout the experience. Additionally, flavors of vanilla, oak, sweet butterscotch, and a touch of smoke emerge, again echoing the bourbon influence.
Finish: The experience lingers with a long, pleasantly warm finish, where the cinnamon and oak flavors leave a lasting impression.
Overall: If you enjoy the taste of cinnamon, a touch of smoke, and a warm finish, Don Julio Añejo is an excellent choice. It offers a balanced profile with moderate sweetness, making it enjoyable for sipping.
Did you know?
- Don Julio Añejo is aged for 18 months, contributing to its complex flavor profile.
- The brand’s history dates back to 1942, when Don Julio himself began distilling agaves at the young age of 17.
A Straightforward Sip: Exploring Patron Añejo
- Nose: Caramel, agave, oak, vanilla
- Palate: Caramel, almond, tobacco, oak
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Casamigos Añejo
Aroma: This Añejo opens with inviting scents of oak, vanilla, and a touch of roasted agave for a pleasant first impression.
Flavor: Patron Añejo leans towards sweeter notes, with caramel taking center stage. Hints of almond, tobacco, and oak add complexity, while the agave presence is more subtle.
Finish: The finish is warm and lingers with a touch of caramel, making it enjoyable for sipping, especially for those who appreciate a sweeter profile.
Overall: Patron Añejo provides a consistent and well-rounded taste experience. It offers good quality with no harsh flavors and avoids the use of additives.
Additionally:
- This Añejo is aged for 15 months in a combination of ex-bourbon and Hungarian oak barrels, contributing to its flavor profile.
- It stands out as the most favorable expression among Patron’s silver, reposado, and Añejo offerings, offering good value for the price.
- Enjoy it neat, appreciating its smooth taste on its own, without needing ice or mixers.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Tequila | Price |
| Don Julio Añejo | $60 |
| Patron Añejo | $52 |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | Don Julio | Patron |
| Type of tequila | Añejo | Añejo |
| Aging length in months | 18 | 15 |
| 100% agave | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding method | Roller mill | Roller mill/tahona stone |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | Yes | No |
| Wood tank fermentation | No | Yes |
| Cooking method | Stone/Brick Ovens | Stone/Brick Ovens |
| Double-distilled | Yes | Yes |
| Additives | Unsure | No |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Proof | 80 | 80 |