Tequila Bar by Shelley Starr for Don Julio 70

Shelley Starr’s designs are notable for her attention to detail, particularly in the natural materials she uses. It’s not unusual for Starr to personally fly to South America to select the perfect slab of wood for a specific item of furniture. Once the materials are chosen, she carefully sees the creation of the piece through each stage of production. Starr’s approach to quality also reflects the philosophy of Tequila .

Don Julio: the custom bar she created for Don Julio 70 Añejo Claro is a perfect pairing of two sympatico brands. Don Julio 70 is a new ultra-premium tequila, debuting this fall. Its name celebrates the upcoming 70th anniversary of the year Don Julio González began his tequila-making journey.

Like Starr’s custom bar, Tequila Don Julio 70 is smooth, sophisticated, and one of a kind. It is the world’s first and only Añejo Claro tequila. Traditionally, tequilas in the Añejo category are amber in color, resulting from the oak-barrel aging process. The clear Tequila Don Julio 70 represents a new innovation in Añejo tequilas. Using a special filtration technique, the agave flavors that are typically muted during tequila’s aging process are restored in Tequila Don Julio 70, combining the subtle layers of complex taste and smooth texture found in a typical Añejo yet resulting in a unique, vibrant, clear tequila.

“With the bar, I let the wood take charge of my design,” says Starr. “I created a patchwork of stacked, sheered slats—open pore, distressed wood, paired with gold ceruse and imbuia.” To represent the clarity of Don Julio 70, she placed the bar in front of the huge picture windows. “For dramatic effect, we hung our floor-to-ceiling Butterfly chandelier, made of Swarovski crystal, next to the bar to echo the translucence of Don Julio 70’s bottle,” she says.

“Tequila Don Julio has always represented innovation and expertise. Shelley Starr’s strikingly beautiful bar fits in perfectly with the Tequila Don Julio aesthetic,” says Andrea Sengara, Tequila Don Julio Global Director. “We are excited for guests to experience Don Julio 70 for the first time in this remarkable setting.”