Los Vecinos del Campo Ensamble No. 1

Verdict

Los Vecinos Del Campo's Ensamble No. 1 is the bottle a bar program buys when it wants an honestly priced three-agave blend that won't disappear under citrus. The components are all recognizable and the 45% proof keeps the structure intact through a shake. Think of it as Banhez ensamble's slightly more structured cousin – same brief, slightly tighter construction. A reasonable house-pour upgrade.

Tasting notes

Nose: Cooked agave, green pepper, warm hay, a light smoke edge

Palate: The madrecuishe adds karwinskii structure to the espadín-barril base, and at 45% the blend has enough shoulder to work in glasses beyond the neat pour. Clean, honestly built

Finish: Drying, herbal

The bottom line

Solid ensamble for mixing and considered sipping