Reviews / El Silencio Joven (Ensamble)
Review · · by The Editors
El Silencio Joven (Ensamble)
Three-agave ensamble at 46% – the cocktail-bar joven that prioritized bottle design over liquid distinction
Score: 3.0/5 agaves
- Producer: El Silencio Mezcal
- Maestro: Pedro Hernandez
- Region: San Baltazar Guélavila, Oaxaca
- Agave: Espadin, Mexicano, Tobaziche
- ABV: 46%
- Price: $77 ($$)
Verdict
El Silencio's black-bottle packaging has always outpaced the liquid's distinctiveness, the brand buys attention before it earns it. The joven is the flagship that doesn't justify the flagship treatment. Skip; the commercial-tier mezcal category has more honest entries (Vida, Fidencio Clásico) at similar or lower money.
A commercial ensamble that at least holds together, which is more than the rest of the range manages
Tasting notes
Nose: Cooked agave up front. Wildflower, mineral damp, a faint smoke high note underneath
Palate: Medium. At 46%, the three agaves (espadín, mexicano, tobaziche) hold their lane without much elaboration
Finish: Medium-long, dry, with a slow herbal fade
The bottom line
Fine for cocktails; the packaging is where the money went
Where to buy online
We found this bottle at 4 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.