El Silencio arrived in 2013 out of Santa Monica with a deliberately different posture toward mezcal. Where most of the category leaned into rustic heritage imagery, El Silencio went the other way entirely: a matte black bottle, a silver medallion, an individually numbered label and a design language borrowed from nightlife rather than from the palenque. It worked, and the brand became one of the bottles that carried mezcal from specialist bars into general circulation. The Espadín is the workhorse of the range and the one the brand describes as a mixing mezcal that sips beautifully, which is a fair summary. It is built entirely from Espadín, the cultivated maguey that accounts for most Oaxacan production and the genetic relative of the blue agave used in tequila. The piñas are roasted underground over hot stones and wood, which is the source of the smoke, then crushed, fermented naturally and double distilled in copper. The bottling strength matters. At 43 percent alcohol by volume, or 86 proof, this sits meaningfully above the 40 percent floor that a lot of the category settles for, and that extra weight is doing real work: it holds the roasted agave and mineral notes together and gives the mezcal enough backbone to survive being shaken with lime and ice without vanishing. Neat, it is robust and earthy with a pronounced finish. In a drink, it is one of the more reliable smoky bases available, and it is genuinely good in a mezcal margarita, a Bloody Maria or anything where you want the smoke to register rather than hint. This is the bottle for someone who wants mezcal that works both ways.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
43% |
| Proof |
86 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Mexico |
| Region |
Oaxaca |
| Category |
Mezcal |
| Expression |
Espadín |
| Maguey |
100% Espadín |
| Cooking |
Underground stone pit oven |
| Distillation |
Double distilled, copper stills |
| Age |
Unaged |
Tasting Notes
Color: Clear and bright, unaged with no barrel influence.
Nose: Subtle smoke over roasted agave, with citrus lift, earthy green notes and a touch of white pepper.
Palate: Robust and deep, with slow cooked agave, roasted figs and sweet potato sweetness cut by mineral earthiness and gentle spice.
Finish: Pronounced and lingering, closing on charred stone fruit, clay like earthiness and a distinct edge of salinity.
FAQ
What proof is El Silencio Espadín? It is bottled at 86 proof, or 43 percent alcohol by volume, which is above the 40 percent standard common across the category.
How is this different from El Silencio Joven Ensamble? The Ensamble is a blend of multiple maguey varieties bottled at a lower strength and positioned as the brand's super premium expression. This is the single maguey Espadín at 86 proof, built to be as good in a cocktail as it is neat.
Is El Silencio Espadín smoky? Yes. The smoke comes from roasting the agave in an underground stone pit rather than from any additive, and at this proof it is pronounced rather than subtle.
Is it aged? No. It is bottled unaged and clear, so everything in the glass comes from the agave and the distillation.
What should I mix it with? It holds up well in a mezcal margarita, a Bloody Maria, or a smoke and bitters style drink, precisely because the higher proof keeps it from being washed out by citrus and ice.
Where can I buy El Silencio Espadín Mezcal online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
