Los Hermanos 1978 Tequila Anejo

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich vanilla extract, warm oak, and sweet agave with hints of caramel and butterscotch
• Palate: Deep, complex flavors of oak, caramel, vanilla, and sweet agave with layers of butterscotch, dried fruit, and subtle spice; fuller and smoother than the younger expressions
• Finish: Long, luxurious finish with lingering vanilla sweetness, oak warmth, and subtle cocoa notes; remarkably smooth with exceptional depth

Meet the Founders: Donta and William Henson

Los Hermanos 1978 was founded in 2020 by brothers Donta and William Henson, who were born in Pasadena, Maryland. This Black-owned and veteran-owned tequila brand emerged from an unlikely beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the brothers transformed their shared love of tequila into an award-winning spirits company that's now distributed across multiple states.

Donta Henson, CEO and Co-Founder, is an accomplished United States Navy Veteran and acquisitions professional with expertise in financial and project management. Donta's commitment to service led him to spend nearly a decade developing banking, bookkeeping, financial reporting, and auditing skills while on Active Duty. Since leaving the U.S. Navy, Donta has leveraged his finance experience into managing multi-million-dollar acquisitions and contracts for the federal government. Donta works for Medicare while also leading Los Hermanos Tequila's growth in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. The name 1978 marks the year that Donta was born, making this brand a deeply personal tribute.

William Henson, Co-Founder, works for Baltimore City and is the creative force with an incredible palate, deep knowledge of tequila, and a talent for brand storytelling. During the pandemic, William would visit Donta and his wife at home, and each time they would try a different brand of tequila. William ultimately decided that Casamigos was the best, and he encouraged the people in his life to make it their go-to brand. His passion and expertise became so well-known that people would go out and take pictures of tequila and send them back to him for recommendations —he had become an informal tequila spokesman among friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Los Hermanos 1978 Añejo special?
Los Hermanos 1978 Añejo is a Black-owned and veteran-owned tequila aged for a minimum of 12 months in white oak bourbon barrels, which is at the higher end of the añejo aging spectrum (12-36 months). The slow fermentation and extended aging create a fuller, smoother flavor profile with exceptional depth. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave from both highland and lowland regions of Jalisco, it showcases rich oak, vanilla, and caramel notes while maintaining the agave character. It was recognized as a winner at the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition.

How should I drink Los Hermanos 1978 Añejo?
This añejo is crafted for contemplative sipping—enjoy it neat in a snifter or rocks glass to fully appreciate its complex oak, vanilla, and caramel notes earned through 12+ months of barrel aging. The extended aging creates a spirit that's smooth enough to savor slowly without mixers. While it can elevate premium cocktails like an Añejo Old Fashioned or Manhattan, many enthusiasts prefer to drink añejos straight to enjoy their full complexity.

What's the difference between Añejo and Reposado?
The main difference is aging time and resulting flavor. Reposado is aged 2-12 months (Los Hermanos Reposado is aged 8 months), giving it light oak, caramel, and vanilla notes. Añejo is aged 12-36 months (Los Hermanos Añejo is aged 12+ months), creating deeper, richer flavors with more pronounced oak, vanilla, and caramel complexity. The Añejo has a darker amber color and fuller body. Think of Reposado as a balanced introduction to aged tequila, while Añejo offers the full depth of extended barrel maturation.

Is Los Hermanos 1978 Añejo worth the price?
Absolutely. With 12+ months of aging in bourbon barrels, this añejo offers exceptional value for a premium aged tequila. It's been recognized at the prestigious New York International Spirits Competition, demonstrating that it competes with añejos at much higher price points. The slow fermentation, double distillation, and extended aging create a luxurious sipping experience. For añejo enthusiasts or those special occasions that call for contemplative sipping, it delivers remarkable quality.

What awards has Los Hermanos 1978 Añejo won?
Los Hermanos 1978 Añejo was recognized as a winner at the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition, where more than 200 tequilas were blind-tasted by seasoned trade buyers. This competition highlights the top selections by category and price, validating the Añejo's exceptional quality and value in the añejo tequila category.

Why age tequila in bourbon barrels?
Bourbon barrels are made from American white oak and are charred on the inside, which imparts vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors to the tequila. Since bourbon can only be aged in new barrels by law, used bourbon barrels are perfect for aging tequila—they've already given their primary flavors to bourbon and now gently enhance the tequila with complementary notes. Los Hermanos uses this technique across all aged expressions, creating their signature smooth, rich profile with bourbon barrel characteristics.