What Went Down at the Tequila Don Julio Immersive Tasting Experience at Mercer Labs
Tequila Don Julio is shaped by the warm climate, rich natural ingredients and strong spirit of Mexico. The brand actually began with Reposado, and each of its expressions — including Tequila Don Julio 70 Añejo Cristalino and Tequila Don Julio 1942 as well — are imbued with notes of oak and roasted agave, two ingredients that are expertly cultivated in the Jaliscan highlands. Through floor-to-ceiling light displays, 4D activations and even custom cocktail-creating stations, visitors were transported through the journey of the spirit.
Guests who attended thePor Amor: An Immersive Tasting Experience, from June 12-15, were also guided through the founder Don Julio González's history, when he started the brand and his La Primavera-based distillery decades ago, and now it's has become an internationally-recognized staple in the luxury tequila arena.
If you couldn't make it to Mercer Labs to step into the story of Tequila Don Julio, you can check out what went down above.
DON JULIO Tequila. 40% Alc/Vol. Imported by Diageo Americas, New York, NY. Sip Responsibly. Don't share with anyone under 21.
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Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Newsweek
Gen Z Escapes to the Past Through Y2K Music, Movies and Fashion
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek Illustration It's sometimes hard to believe that the turn of the millennium was a quarter of a century ago. In many ways, life felt vastly different back then—the internet was still in its relative infancy, phones were used to make calls, and X was just a letter in the alphabet. It was an age before smartphones and social media, the war on terror hadn't begun, and global economies were yet to be impacted by the financial crash. Those days feel worlds away and yet Y2K has made a resounding comeback among younger generations. Whether it's fashion, movies, TV or music, many people from Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) are returning to that era and making it au courant once again. New installments of films like Happy Gilmore, Jurassic Park and Freaky Friday return this summer, as TV favorites like Friends and The O.C. attract younger viewers on streaming services. Atmosphere during Von Dutch Ranch 2025, presented by Tequila Don Julio on April 25, 2025 in Indio, California. Atmosphere during Von Dutch Ranch 2025, presented by Tequila Don Julio on April 25, 2025 in Indio, California. Tiffany Rose/Getty for Von Dutch & Tequila Don Julio Music from the era is seeping back into the mainstream as well, with Nirvana's You Know You're Right featuring in The Last of Us, British band Oasis playing reunion gigs to sold-out stadiums and American rock band Creed, whose hit "Higher" has become a favorite again at sporting events, headlining a Summer of '99 and Beyond Cruise concert series next spring. Fashion brands synonymous with the early 2000s—Von Dutch and Ed Hardy—have become staples again, butterfly hair clips and tiny sunglasses are must-haves, and colorful eyeshadow is back in. Even Tamagotchis—the pocket-sized digital pets of Y2K childhoods—are back, turning Gen Z backpacks and belt loops into nostalgic nods to the turn of the century. Riding the same wave, Britney Spears has found renewed popularity with Gen Z in recent years, culminating in May this year when The Singles Collection reached 200 weeks on the U.K. Albums Chart. Gen X may be a relatively small demographic, compared with the sizable populations of boomers and millennials, but the impact of this generation's heyday has captured the imaginations of Gen Z. Raven Baker, a social and community lead at Adolescent Content, who researches Gen Z habits, told Newsweek that for this generation that constantly lives in a digital world, there's something novel yet attainable about Y2K. "I think it's partly escapism as they can distract themselves from current woes, whether that's school, work, friendships or parents. It allows them to indulge in something that's so different from today," Baker said. Children show their "Tamagotchi" electronic pet on October 25, 2017 in Paris, France. Tamagotchi is a virtual electronic animal which means "cute little egg" and simulates the life of an animal. Twenty years after its... Children show their "Tamagotchi" electronic pet on October 25, 2017 in Paris, France. Tamagotchi is a virtual electronic animal which means "cute little egg" and simulates the life of an animal. Twenty years after its creation, the Japanese company Bandai reissues the famous limited edition toy that is available today in France. Tamagotchi will be available in the United States on November 5, 2017. More Chesnot/Getty Was Life Better Back Then? A report by the American Psychological Association found that young adults are overwhelmed by stress, with many claiming a much higher stress level than older generations. So is it any wonder they want to hark back to what seems like an easier time? It helps that many relics of that era are readily available, whether it's entire TV series on streaming platforms, or celebrity photos from back in the day going viral on TikTok. Lily Todos (@lilytodos) shares 2000s-inspired outfits and recreates iconic movie looks on the platform. Todos, 25, from the U.K., told Newsweek that throwback fashion has become a "form of escapism" for her because the world seemed like a "better place back then"— fashion styles were more varied, the quality was better and people were "living for real life," which created authenticity, Todos said. (L-R) Charli D'Amelio, Carrie Berk, Lilliana Ketchman, and Indi Star attend the Tamagotchi Uni Launch Party hosted by Charli D'Amelio on June 27, 2023 in New York City. (L-R) Charli D'Amelio, Carrie Berk, Lilliana Ketchman, and Indi Star attend the Tamagotchi Uni Launch Party hosted by Charli D'Amelio on June 27, 2023 in New York City. Theo Wargo/Getty Gen Z has grown up in an age of social media where every step they make is captured and shared for an audience. In Baker's view, they yearn for a time when people could make mistakes and experiment without the fear of going viral or, even worse, being canceled. "I think there's a desire to be uninhibited, to not feel judged, and to not have it recorded forever on someone's digital footprint," Baker said. "We're living in a surveillance era where even friends can monitor you and see what you're doing. If someone catches you doing something bad, the instinct is to post it online. Whereas people enjoy the early aughts because there was such a lack of that." As younger generations view Y2K through a media lens, it's easy to romanticize and perhaps sanitize those years. But it wasn't all low-rise jeans, jelly sandals and meeting for coffee at Central Perk. Ben Lisle, an associate professor of American studies at Colby College in Maine, is keen not to erase the difficulties of that time. He told Newsweek that viewing the early aughts as a golden age would mean "historical erasure" of what was happening. Before 2000, there was anticipation about what the turn of the millennium would bring, and while it gave way to technological advancements—the iPod in 2001 and Facebook in 2004—it was also a dark time for many. Lives were forever changed by the war on terror in the aftermath of 9/11, the devastation of the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, before the global financial crisis from December 2007 led to the Great Recession. Lisle told Newsweek he is often "surprised at how little" his students know about such major historical events. Marina Riekkinen. Marina Riekkinen. Courtesy Marina Riekkinen For Lisle, this is an example of philosopher Fredric Jameson's concept of pastiche, referring to the imitation and mimicry that pays homage to bygone styles or language. Lisle argued that we've become somewhat detached from the past and our connection to it "has been transformed into hollowed-out stylization." What Does This Say About Today's Society? Like the generations who came before them, Gen Z are learning to navigate the world and trying to work out what future they want. But, unlike their predecessors, they're doing it in a time of information overload with the burden of social media and artificial intelligence. While health and financial issues are the top concerns for younger Americans, they are also grappling with personal safety, human rights, loneliness and climate change, with anxiety and depression some of the most prominent mental health issues, according to the National Institutes of Health. It doesn't get much better when looking ahead, either, as more than half of people think the American dream is no longer a possibility, according to an ABC/Ipsos poll. So, should we be surprised that young people spend so much time looking toward the past? Much of the research that Baker has done for Adolescent Content has shown that Gen Z has "heightened anxiety," causing a significant lack of confidence. Not being assured of who they are is what makes them retreat in time, Baker suggested. She told Newsweek: "This generation has always been online. They were iPad babies and then they had smartphones from a young age. Constantly being online causes a lack of self-confidence because they're always comparing to what someone else has. How can you ever ground yourself in true individuality if you're constantly questioning who you are?" Teenage girls sit on a bench in a city courtyard and use their smartphones. Autumn day. Teenage girls sit on a bench in a city courtyard and use their smartphones. Autumn day. iStock Editorial/Getty Despite the negative impacts, 36 percent of U.S. teens say they spend too much time on social media, and 54 percent say it would be hard to give up, the Pew Research Center reports. Not only has Gen Z grown up online, but they also came of age during a time of cancel culture. For Baker, this marks an important shift which instilled a fear among young people about being called out. "During the pandemic, when everyone was stuck inside watching people get called out, fired and tomatoed in the digital town square, it sent a clear message to Gen Z: Don't share your honest opinion and don't be transparent with strangers," Baker said. What's With the Fascination? Todos certainly isn't the only person who has cultivated a social media following by recreating styles from the 2000s. Indeed, the hashtag #y2k has more than 4.1 million posts on TikTok alone. What Todos loves so much about clothes from that time is the detailing (think glitter, beading and diamanté). She told Newsweek that she thinks people are looking for "more detail with their clothes" now, following years of minimalism. The resurgence of Y2K styles may not be all too surprising, however, as fashion historian and author Robert Ossant explains that trends often occur in 20-year cycles. What makes this trend so attainable is conceivably the recency bias, but also the parallels between then and now. Ossant told Newsweek: "The early 2000s was a period of optimism and anxiety around emerging technologies. Now, with AI, people are feeling the same—will technology boost careers or create a future where young people are surplus to requirement? The styles and anxieties are aligned. "All reemerging trends play on nostalgia, so younger generations look back on Y2K and idealize it. They might prefer that era to their own and try to inhabit it through their style," he continued. Ossant believes Y2K fashion originated with designer Marc Jacobs in 1992 at Perry Ellis. He championed youth style and was inspired by grunge. Before long, street fashion started to influence catwalks, as Ossant said he took youth culture "from fringe to mainstream." The 15th Delhi Queer Pride Parade celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community along Barakhamba Road to Jantar Mantar, with participants chanting for equality and same-sex marriage. The event featured a variety of traditional and creative costumes, fostering... The 15th Delhi Queer Pride Parade celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community along Barakhamba Road to Jantar Mantar, with participants chanting for equality and same-sex marriage. The event featured a variety of traditional and creative costumes, fostering a strong sense of spirit and solidarity. More Uma Shankar sharma/Getty It was no longer about what the wealthy were wearing. As the dynamic continued to evolve into the early aughts, fashion was all about what young people were gravitating toward. "The style was go big or go home—bold colors, big plastic watches, ballooning parachute pants with tube tops. They took up space and expressed supreme confidence," Ossant said. Now, brands like Von Dutch and Juicy Couture have reestablished themselves as fashion staples. Miss Sixty, known for capri pants and double denim, named supermodel Bella Hadid as the face of its spring/summer 2025 line, a big coup for a brand that seemed to have gone out of style. Ossant suggested Gen Z are using nostalgic fashion to send a message. "It's Gen Z demanding to be seen, and because they continue to feel ignored, they are embracing the loud Y2K styles," Ossant said. How Is Media Feeding This? Movies and TV shows are also providing Gen Z with iconic Y2K references that are still relevant today. Streaming platforms have introduced new audiences to old shows. Marina Riekkinen, 21, has been heavily influenced by TV shows Gossip Girl and Sex and The City from the 2000s, telling Newsweek that she loves how characters "had their own unique style" back then. Those shows may have ended, but Riekkinen often recreates outfits that will live long in the memory. Her TikTok page (@marinariekkinen) is filled with ensembles that Serena van der Woodsen would be proud of. "The Y2K era highlighted individuality, boldness and self-expression through fashion, and that's what resonates with me the most. It wasn't about fitting in—it was about standing out," the Finnish influencer said. Part of the shows' appeal is that young people can watch them and "shrug off the heaviness of today's world," according to entertainment journalist, pop culture expert and film critic Tatyana Arrington. Company of modern informal youth at the festival, couple of girls use phone, youth mob in big city. Company of modern informal youth at the festival, couple of girls use phone, youth mob in big city. iStock Editorial/Getty Much of the early 2000s holds a mirror up to Gen Z's reality, making it feel attainable and authentic. Arrington, from the U.S., said: "As they think that the world is so dark and there's so much hate, they want to find pockets of joy. They look at these TV shows and interpret that as the promised future that was supposed to be theirs, but it's not." She doesn't believe it's coincidence that Y2K is back in vogue. No, she thinks it's a direct response to "the seriousness of today." There's a desire among audiences to embrace the early 2000s, and that doesn't just come from older content but new productions too. At present, Netflix's most streamed English-language show is Wednesday, a show about the fictional gothic character Wednesday Addams who featured in the 1991 movie The Addams Family. In 2024, it was announced that the much-loved 2000 sitcom Malcolm in the Middle would be rebooted, and Freakier Friday, a sequel to 2003's Freaky Friday, is due to be released this summer. Anne Hathaway is also reprising one of her most iconic roles, Princess Mia, in The Princess Diaries 3, more than 20 years after the first installment. If that wasn't enough, fans of the 2004 hit series Desperate Housewives rejoiced at the recent announcement of a spinoff titled Wisteria Lane. Like many others, Arrington loves rewatching the classics and remembering "the good old days." They're comfort shows for a reason, and while Gen Z might not have been around back then, they can romanticize what it was like through these formats. "The Y2K era was fun, and it allows them to step into a world where they feel welcomed and accepted," Arrington told Newsweek. "That was a joyous time, and they're just trying to bring some of that into the world we live in today."
Hypebeast
27-06-2025
- Hypebeast
Tequila Don Julio Unveils a Sensory Tasting Experience at Mercer Labs
Every sip of Tequila Don Julio tells a story — the story of Don Julio González and his dedicated approach to perfecting the spirit, while also championing his Mexican heritage. The luxury tequila brand invited audiences to experience that story for themselves at Por Amor: An Immersive Tasting Experience at Mercer Labs. González's journey began at his first tequila distillery in La Primavera — and now, that legacy comes to life in a high-tech, multisensory takeover. Set within the museum's art-meets-technology space, the experience transports guests to the nutrient-rich clay soils and warm climate of the Jaliscan highlands, where the story of Tequila Don Julio first took root. 1 of 5 2 of 5 3 of 5 4 of 5 5 of 5 The sensory installation ran from June 12-15. While some parts of the activation revealed the spirit's origin story, other rooms invited visitors to guided tastings of Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio 70 Añejo Cristalino Anejo, and Tequila Don Julio 1942. While guests savored the layered flavors of Tequila Don Julio and it's award-winning 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila, they were also immersed in the scent of roasted agave and rich oak—hallmarks of the brand's signature character—set against the vibrant rhythms and energy of Mexico. Reflecting the brand's blend of passion and artistry, the experience invited attendees to tap into their own creativity by crafting custom artisanal cocktails. 'Mercer Labs is a home to the world's most forward-thinking creators, and this collaboration with Tequila Don Julio represents a perfect union of creative vision,' said Roy Nachum, Co-founder and Creative Director of Mercer Labs. 'We're proud to host the brand's first immersive takeover and give guests the opportunity to experience tequila in a way that's never been done before.'
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Forbes
Hozier's Two Biggest Singles Tie One Another
Hozier's 'Too Sweet' ties 'Take Me to Church' as his longest-running hit on Billboard's rock and ... More alternative charts, as both have spent 64 weeks on the rankings. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Hozier attends the Elton John foundation annual viewing party with Tequila Don Julio at West Hollywood Park on March 02, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo byfor Tequila Don Julio) More than a decade ago, Irish rocker Andrew Hozier-Byrne — known mononymously as Hozier — became a global superstar with his breakout single "Take Me to Church." The tune, which called out the hypocrisy of religious institutions, was noted as controversial to some, but also hugely commercially successful all around the world. The hit turned Hozier into one of the most exciting new names in his field. Now, 10 years after "Take Me to Church," "Too Sweet" has helped the musician stray from one-hit wonder status, and it's the latter track that is in the midst of a thrilling period on the charts in America at the moment. 'Too Sweet' Ties "Take Me to Church" "Too Sweet" remains a huge smash across more than half a dozen Billboard charts in the United States. The track is still living inside the top 10 on many of the company's rock and alternative tallies, including those focused on streaming activity, pure purchases, and overall consumption. As "Too Sweet" holds on and earns its sixty-fourth stay on both the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Rock Songs rankings, it ties "Take Me to Church" as Hozier's longest-running hit on those lists. 'Too Sweet' Vs. "Take Me to Church" Both "Take Me to Church" and "Too Sweet" may have spent 64 weeks on Billboard's rankings of the most consumed rock and alternative tracks and rock-only tunes, but their performances on the two tallies are not exactly the same. On the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, "Take Me to Church" ruled for 23 weeks, while "Too Sweet" racked up 17 stays at No. 1. The opposite is true when looking specifically at the Hot Rock Songs chart. On that ranking, "Too Sweet" has managed to reign for 63 of the 64 weeks it has spent somewhere on the list, while "Take Me to Church" scored just 23 frames at the summit. Hozier Could Replace Billie Eilish at No. 1 "Too Sweet" could easily return to the No. 1 spot on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ranking at some point, as it's currently not far from the throne, sitting in the runner-up space. At the moment, only "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish is beating Hozier, as her poppy cut dominates for a forty-fifth nonconsecutive stint.
