Los Hermanos 1978 Tequila Reposado

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Huge French vanilla nose with warm oak and subtle sweet agave
• Palate: Notes of oak, caramel, and vanilla, slightly sweet with a creamier note to taste, balanced agave character with hints of butterscotch
• Finish: Smooth, rich finish with cotton candy-like sweetness and lingering warmth, remarkably clean with no harsh burn

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 Reposado from this Black-owned distillery unique?
Los Hermanos 1978 Reposado is a Black-owned and veteran-owned tequila brand founded by brothers Donta and William Henson from Baltimore, Maryland. It's crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave hand-selected from both highland and lowland regions of Jalisco, Mexico, distilled twice, and aged for 8 months in white oak bourbon barrels. The signature smoothness comes from hand-selecting agave, slow-cooking, and small-batch distillation, creating a tequila with exceptional oak, caramel, and vanilla notes. With over 20 awards including Gold medals and a Consumer's Choice Award, it's recognized as one of the finest reposados available.

How should I drink Los Hermanos 1978 Reposado?
This reposado is remarkably smooth and perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks, allowing you to fully appreciate its oak, caramel, and vanilla complexity. It also excels in premium cocktails—try it in a classic Margarita, Paloma, Old Fashioned, or the brand's signature cocktail creations. The bourbon barrel aging adds depth that elevates any tequila cocktail while remaining smooth enough to enjoy by itself.

What does "Reposado" mean and how is it different from Blanco?
"Reposado" means "rested" in Spanish. Reposado tequila is aged between 2-12 months in oak barrels, giving it a golden amber color and adding layers of oak, vanilla, and caramel flavors that aren't present in unaged Blanco tequila. Los Hermanos 1978 Reposado is aged for 8 months in white oak bourbon barrels, creating a smooth, rich profile with complexity from the barrel aging while still maintaining the bright agave character. The Blanco expression has notes of bright citrus, while the Reposado has caramel and vanilla notes.

Where is Los Hermanos 1978 produced?
Los Hermanos 1978 is produced at Casa Maestri, a family-owned distillery in Guadalajara, Mexico. The tequila is made from 100% Blue Weber agave hand-selected from private farms in both the highland and lowland regions of Jalisco, Mexico. The brand is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and is proudly Black-owned and veteran-owned.

Who are Donta and William Henson?
Donta Henson is a U.S. Navy Veteran, CEO of Los Hermanos Tequila, and an acquisitions professional who works for Medicare while leading the brand's growth. William Henson works for Baltimore City and is the creative force behind the brand with deep tequila knowledge and brand storytelling talent. The brothers were born in Pasadena, Maryland, and founded Los Hermanos 1978 in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The name "Los Hermanos" means "the brothers," and 1978 is Donta's birth year.

What awards has Los Hermanos 1978 Reposado won?
Los Hermanos 1978 Reposado has won multiple prestigious awards including: Gold Medal and Consumer's Choice Award at the 2024 SIP Awards (the only spirits competition judged by consumers), Silver Medal at the 2023 Bartender Spirits Awards, and Silver Medal (83 points) at the 2024 USA Spirits Ratings. Overall, the brand has earned over 20 awards across various international and national spirits competitions.

Is Los Hermanos 1978 really veteran-owned?
Yes, Donta Henson is a United States Navy Veteran who served on active duty for nearly a decade, developing financial and project management skills. Los Hermanos 1978 is proudly both Black-owned and veteran-owned, built on the military values of honor, courage, and commitment.

How long is Los Hermanos 1978 Reposado aged?
Los Hermanos 1978 Reposado is aged for 8 months in white oak bourbon barrels in an underground cellar to maximize flavor and complexity. This aging period falls in the middle of the reposado range (2-12 months), providing excellent balance between the fresh agave character and the rich oak, caramel, and vanilla notes from the barrel.