Methods are provided for hydrotreating a feed to generate a product with a reduced or minimized aromatics content and/or an increased distillate product yield. A distillate boiling range feed having an elevated content of sulfur and/or nitrogen can be hydrotreated using at least two hydrotreating stages with intermediate separation to produce a hydrotreated distillate boiling range product with a reduced or minimized aromatics content. Additionally or alternately, a mixed metal catalyst formed from a suitable precursor can be used during the hydrotreating. A mixed metal catalyst formed from a suitable precursor can provide an unexpectedly superior activity for aromatic saturation. A still further unexpected benefit can be achieved by combining a multi-stage hydrotreating process with intermediate separation with hydrotreating in the presence of a mixed metal catalyst formed from a suitable precursor.