On the 3rd day of Tequila my liquor store provided me... ok I wanted to make a comparison of the surprising Herradura Reposado with an industry standard, which Don Julio really is. Both Jalisco agave distillers, both rested in american oak, here's where the two paths begin to part. Unlike the clay oven roasted hearts of Herradura the Don Julio is steam boiled and second distilled (pot) and one of the first things I notice is a milder plant-vegetal presence in the Don Julio, the beautiful smokey nose holds up and the agave sugars are less pronounced, not as sweet as the Herradura but certainly sweet enough, more balanced? Very possibly. In the taste I get a better "pepper" presence almost bordering on a feint jalapeno, the final note is a minty and warm sweet sensation. The Blanco DJulio is certainly a smooth and yes I hate that overworked term as much as anyone but it is just a really easy drinking tequila. The Reposado follows suite as a treat to the palate, just with more character and better body of notes to enjoy. Don Julio has been working the craft apparently since 1942, and notes itself as one of the first tequila distilleries to own it's own agave cultivating process. For shear weight of unusual boldness of character I give the advantage to the Herradura by a nose, but if you just want a well crafted and still tasty tequila with a good flavor profile that won't make waves, Don Julio easily gets the job done.