Don Julio 1942 cost $139.99 at ReserveBar on November 9, 2026, and scored 87 in our review. The two aged tequilas we rated higher cost either $106.40 less or $151.40 more. There's no like-for-like swap on our list yet: we haven't reviewed another añejo. What we can tell you is which of the bottles we have tasted does the job better, and what you give up with each.
Prices are the lowest in-stock price ReserveBar listed on November 9, 2026, from our daily price check. They change, so check the link before you buy.
What kind of tequila is Don Julio 1942?
An añejo: aged at least one year in oak. Under the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) classification, a reposado rests at least two months in oak, an añejo at least one year, and an extra añejo at least three years. Our review lists 1942 at about two and a half years in American white oak. That puts it between the two alternatives below: one younger, one older.
Our review found sweet caramel, butterscotch, oak and vanilla, a cake-batter palate with little agave character, and a finish that was short for an aged tequila. It scored 87 overall but 65 for value. At $139.99 that's $8.28 a pour.
| Bottle | Our score | Aging (from our review) | Proof | ReserveBar, Nov 9, 2026 | Per 1.5 oz pour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Julio 1942 | 87 | 2.5 Years in American White Oak | 80 | $139.99 | $8.28 |
| El Tesoro Reposado | 92 | 9-11 months in ex-bourbon barrels | 80 | $33.59 | $1.99 |
| Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo | 94 | 5 Years (Scotch, Sherry, and Brandy barrels) | 86 | $291.39 | $17.23 |
Don Julio 1942 alternatives we've reviewed
1. El Tesoro Reposado: more agave for $106.40 less
92 points, $33.59, $1.99 a pour. This is a reposado, not an añejo: our review lists 9-11 months in ex-bourbon barrels in ex-bourbon barrels, against roughly two and a half years for 1942. Even so, it scored five points higher. We found cooked highland agave with vanilla, caramel and cinnamon, light oak spice and stone fruit on the palate, and a warm, moderately long finish.
Where it differs: less oak and more agave. If you drink 1942 for its dessert sweetness, this will taste brighter and lighter. If you've wondered where the agave went in 1942, this is the answer.
Our full El Tesoro Reposado review · Check the price at ReserveBar
2. Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo: the older, better gift
94 points, $291.39, $17.23 a pour. An extra añejo aged five years (Scotch, Sherry, and Brandy barrels), and the highest-scoring tequila in our reviews. We found truffle, baking spice, fig jam and crème brûlée, with cooked agave and honey on a silky palate and a long, drying finish.
Where it differs: it's older and more complex, and it costs about twice as much. Buy it when 1942 is meant as a gift and you want the gift to be better.
Our full Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo review · Check the price at ReserveBar
Which one should you buy?
- You want better tequila and to spend less: El Tesoro Reposado.
- You want a special-occasion bottle that beats 1942: Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo.
- You want 1942's sweet, oaky style: stay with 1942. Nothing we've reviewed matches it closely yet.
We'll add añejos to this page as we review them. Until then, see our best aged tequila and top 10 tequilas.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to Don Julio 1942?
Is Don Julio 1942 an añejo?
How much does a pour of Don Julio 1942 cost?
Rob Boirun is the editor of BoozeMakers.com. Scores and tasting notes come from our published reviews of each bottle; prices come from our daily retailer price check.