Don Julio : Ultima Reserva

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Don Julio Ultima Reserva

Tasting

Appearance
In the glass, this extra añejo reveals a rich colour ranging from amber to deep gold, enhanced by elegant mahogany and copper highlights. Its viscous texture shows in slow, lazy legs that glide down the sides of the glass, a promise of real density.

Nose
Complex and beautifully structured, the bouquet invites you on a journey. It opens with indulgent notes of toasted oak and caramel, before giving way to a medley of yellow and tropical fruits: apricot, peach, ripe banana and mango. Hints of orange peel, dark chocolate and cocoa add further depth, all underpinned by a steadfast backbone of cooked agave and a touch of white pepper.

Palate
With an almost pastry-like richness, the texture is broad and silky. The attack recalls cinnamon biscuits, brown sugar and churros, deftly balanced by the vegetal, peppery structure of the agave. The mid-palate reveals the influence of Madeira, with touches of apricot and orange wrapped in a delicate chocolate mousse. The remarkably long finish lingers languidly on gentle notes of agave honey and cocoa, without the slightest heaviness.

Pairings and Tasting Occasions
To do justice to its complexity, serve it at 16–18°C in a tulip glass, a copita or a small whisky tumbler, and let it breathe for a few moments. It is best enjoyed neat or over a large hand-cut ice cube. At the table, it makes a superb companion to light desserts (orange tart, caramelised peaches), dark chocolate or blue cheeses. For the more adventurous, duck confit or caramelised pork work wonders. It is the ultimate spirit for intimate celebrations and life's extraordinary moments.

Mixology
As this is an exceptional and exceedingly rare spirit, the house strongly recommends savouring it unadorned. While a very pared-back Old Fashioned (with a dash of cocoa bitters and a hint of honey syrup) is theoretically possible, it would be a shame to mask the delicacy and perfect balance of this liquid work of art.

An Exceptional Extra Añejo Tequila from the Jalisco Highlands

Don Julio: the Pinnacle of Mexican Tequila
Founded in 1942 by the visionary Don Julio González, the La Primavera distillery is the historic birthplace of Don Julio, a pioneering house in the world of luxury Mexican Tequila. Located in Atotonilco el Alto, at an altitude of 1,585 metres in the Jalisco Highlands, the estate enjoys an exceptional volcanic terroir and a climate of marked contrasts, ideal for the meticulous cultivation of Blue Weber agave. Identified by NOM 1449, the distillery combines traditional craftsmanship with technical precision. The house has always stood out for its philosophy of extended maturation in ex-bourbon oak barrels, raising the standards of the category. Since 2015, the brand has been wholly owned by the global group Diageo, which carries on this legacy of excellence while strengthening its international standing in the super-premium segment.

Ultima Reserva: the Ultimate Legacy in a Limited Edition
The pinnacle of the range is embodied by Ultima Reserva, an extra añejo Tequila of the utmost rarity. This non-vintage spirit draws its essence from a raw material steeped in history: 100% Blue Weber agave from the very last plot planted by Don Julio González and his family in 2006. To preserve the memory of this final harvest, the house broke new ground by introducing a Solera system, unprecedented for this Tequila.

The production process demands remarkable patience, with a minimum ageing period of 36 months. The distillate first rests in ex-bourbon American white oak barrels, before undergoing a delicate two- to four-month finish in Madeira-seasoned casks. This method makes it possible to blend tequilas of different ages while retaining the heart of the 2006 harvest in every batch. Presented as the pinnacle of luxury, this edition is extremely limited.