Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos Anejo Cristalino 750ML

Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos Añejo Cristalino 750ml is a limited-edition 40% ABV tequila celebrating Mexico's Day of the Dead tradition. This special release features the same pioneering cristalino liquid — the world's first añejo cristalino — inside distinctive Día de Muertos commemorative packaging. The expression earned a Gold Award at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, reinforcing its standing among top-tier cristalinos.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico  |  Añejo Cristalino (18 Months)  |  Distillery: Tequila Don Julio, S.A. de C.V. (Diageo)

Production & Heritage

Don Julio González-Frausto Estrada founded his distillery in the Highlands of Jalisco in 1942. Don Julio 70 was introduced in 2012 to mark the brand's 70th anniversary, and it became the world's first añejo cristalino tequila — a category that has since exploded across the market. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave, the liquid is aged for 18 months in American white oak barrels, developing the rich complexity of a traditional añejo. It then undergoes charcoal filtration, a process that strips away the amber color while preserving the depth of flavor earned during barrel aging. The Día de Muertos edition houses this identical liquid in artwork honoring the Mexican tradition of remembering and celebrating loved ones who have passed.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens crisp and inviting, with vanilla and honey leading into fresh agave and tropical fruit. Given time to breathe, butterscotch and gentle baking spice emerge, layered over a warm oak backbone and a squeeze of citrus zest.

Taste: The entry is silky and bright, with cooked agave taking center stage immediately. At mid-palate, caramel and toasted oak build richness without heaviness, while citrus and a thread of floral sweetness keep things balanced. The overall mouthfeel is notably smooth — a hallmark of the cristalino filtration process.

Finish: Clean and warming, with lingering honeyed oak that fades gradually. A subtle banana-like sweetness, noted by Wine Enthusiast, rounds out the experience alongside a gentle charred oak echo.

How to Drink Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the most rewarding serve, allowing the interplay between aged oak depth and crystal clarity to come through fully. A few drops of water can open up the butterscotch and tropical notes on the nose. Beyond sipping, the cristalino profile works exceptionally well in cocktails:

• Cristalino Margarita — The vanilla and citrus notes complement fresh lime without the heaviness of a dark añejo.
• Paloma — Bright agave and subtle oak add sophistication to the grapefruit soda pairing.
• Old Fashioned (Tequila) — The 18 months of barrel character stand up to bitters and orange peel the way a well-aged spirit should.

Best For

• Gifting during the Día de Muertos season or to collectors of limited-edition spirits
• Hosting a tequila tasting that showcases the cristalino category's origins
• Marking a celebration or milestone with a bottle that carries cultural significance
• Adding a distinctive conversation piece to a premium agave spirits collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos taste like? It delivers a silky blend of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak balanced by bright agave and citrus, finishing clean with honeyed warmth. The charcoal filtration removes color but keeps the full-bodied richness of an 18-month añejo.

How does Don Julio 70 compare to 1800 Cristalino Añejo? Both are cristalino-style añejos, but Don Julio 70 leans into floral, vanilla, and caramel complexity with a clean finish, while 1800 Cristalino tends toward sweeter cherry and vanilla notes. Don Julio 70 also holds the distinction of being the first añejo cristalino ever produced, predating 1800's cristalino entry to the market.

Is Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the charcoal filtration creates a remarkably smooth texture that rewards neat sipping, and the 40% ABV keeps the palate accessible without sacrificing complexity.

Where is Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos made? It is produced at the Tequila Don Julio distillery in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, a region prized for its red volcanic soil and the sweeter, fruitier agave it cultivates. The distillery is currently owned by Diageo.

What foods pair well with Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos? Dark chocolate and mole negro mirror its toasted oak and caramel depth. Grilled stone fruit like peaches complement the tropical and citrus notes. Pan de muerto, the traditional Day of the Dead sweet bread, echoes its vanilla and honey character. Aged manchego or cotija cheese provide a savory contrast to the spirit's sweetness. Ceviche with citrus dressing harmonizes with the bright agave core.

What sizes does Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos come in? This limited-edition Día de Muertos release is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos worth the price? Don Julio 70 positions as a premium cristalino añejo, and the Día de Muertos edition commands a slight premium due to its limited-release status and collectible packaging. The 2023 SFWSC Gold Award and the liquid's role as the category originator provide strong justification within the premium tequila tier.

Why Don Julio 70 Dia de Muertos?

Don Julio 70 created the añejo cristalino category in 2012, and every cristalino that followed owes a debt to this expression's charcoal-filtration innovation. The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold confirms the liquid still competes at the highest level more than a decade later. The Día de Muertos edition adds cultural resonance and collectibility to a bottle that already stands on its own merits — 18 months of American white oak aging distilled down to a crystal-clear spirit that retains genuine añejo complexity. For anyone seeking a tequila that bridges tradition and innovation with verifiable pedigree, this is a definitive expression.