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El Silencio Espadin vs Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano

Two bottles that end up on the same shelf, tasted the same way on the same rubric. Scores, current average US prices, and the call.

El Silencio EspadinMonte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano
Our score2.0/51.5/5
The public2.41.2
Price$37$31
ABV43%40%
AgaveEspadinEspadin
RegionSan Baltazar Guélavila, OaxacaOaxaca

The call

El Silencio Espadin outscores it by 0.5 and costs $6 more. We would pay the difference for drinking neat and keep Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano for cocktails.

El Silencio Espadin

Underpowered espadín, weak even for the $ tier

Nose: A faint smoke, then acetone, a chemical sweetness underneath

Palate: Thin at 43%. The distillation cuts are suspect – acetone on the nose doesn't belong in clean espadín at any proof, and the production doesn't do the agave any favors

Finish: Bitter, with a chemical fade. Stays short

Read the full El Silencio Espadin review

Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano

Avoid. The worm is the entire proposition; Mestiza Negra costs ten dollars less and is mezcal

Nose: Paint thinner, corn syrup, faint smoke, a musty accent from the worm

Palate: 40% industrial espadín with a gusano in the bottom, thin, chemically sweet, the kind of mezcal that created mezcal's bad reputation

Finish: Metallic, regrettable – short

Read the full Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano review

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