Don Julio 1942 Anejo 100% Agave Tequila NOM 1449-CRT Tequila Don Julio, Jalisco (Mexico, Seagram Americas, New York, NY); 38% abv, $100. Pale gold/dusty yellow color. The opening aroma is enchantingly sweet and ripe, with only a mild pungency; the middle stages detect lots of layers including sweet agave, hard candy, ripe apple, butter cream, oak, and malted milk; the final pass highlights the sweet agave and oak marriage. The palate entry is round, but compact and intense in terms of agave and sweet oak impact; the midpalate is long, oaky/vanilla sweet, and bordering on being brandy-like. The aftertaste is smooth, fully endowed, satiny, slightly caramel-like, rich and clean. Fabulously satisfying and a new Tequila powerhouse.

98 points - Wine Enthusiast (May 1, 2011)