Masterclass 1-Don Julio: I Came for the Tequila, But Stayed for the Questions.

Don Julio Tequila Masterclass

I used to think tequila was just… tequila. You take a sip, it burns a little, and that’s it. Until I attended my first Don Julio Masterclass.

That was the day I realised tequila actually begins with a plant. A Blue Weber Agave. The funny thing was, when I first saw the piña (the heart of the agave), my immediate thought was: “Wait… isn’t that just a pineapple?” 😂 Apparently not. It takes six to seven years to mature before it’s harvested, then it’s slowly roasted to bring out its natural sweetness.

That’s when I realised tequila isn’t simply a spirit. It’s years of patience transformed into a glass. As we tasted different expressions, I stopped asking, “Which one tastes better?”

Instead, I found myself asking, “Why does this taste like vanilla?”, “What did the oak barrel do?”, “How can the same agave create such different flavours?”

That’s when I realised… I’m not an alcohol lover. I’m just endlessly curious about what’s inside the glass.

My favourite that day was the Don Julio Reposado. It was smooth, warm and comforting. Hints of vanilla and caramel made it incredibly approachable.

The Añejo, on the other hand…

Well… My tasting note was probably the least professional one ever. It tasted like a car crash. 🚗💥Every flavour rushed in at the same time. My palate simply wanted to say, “Please… one at a time!” 😂

When the masterclass ended, I didn’t take the Añejo home. I bought a bottle of Don Julio Reposado. Not because it was the most expensive. Not because someone told me to. Simply because…

I loved it.

Looking back, I realised I wasn’t just bringing home a bottle of tequila. I was bringing home the first bottle I chose because I trusted my own palate. And somehow, that felt far more meaningful than buying the most expensive bottle on the shelf.

If you’ve tried Don Julio before, I’d love to hear how you remember them tasting. Everyone experiences flavour differently and that’s what makes the journey so interesting. Feel free to share your favourite expression or your funniest tasting note in the comments!