Top Ensamble Mezcals to Try

Handcrafted by Master Mezcalero Jose Ines Garcia Morales and his family in Tlacolula, Oaxaca, Madre Ensamble is a certified artisanal mezcal blending fully ripened Espadín and Cuishe agave varietals. The agaves are roasted in an earthen oven, crushed by horse-drawn tahona, and fermented using airborne natural yeast before distillation in traditional open-air palenques. Bottled at 90 proof with no additives.

Joining the brand's Espadín Mezcal which was released in late 2018 is Los Vecinos del Campo Ensamble No. 1 which launched in late summer 2019. This ensamble is made with three types of agave: 90% espadín, 5% barril, and 5% madrecuishe. Ten families of mezcaleros located in the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca make up the producers of the Los Vecinos del Campo brand. The mezcales are artisanally produced using locally-grown agaves. Bottled at 90 proof.

Produced by a cooperative of over 44 families in the hills of Oaxaca, Banhez Ensamble is the flagship expression of the Banhez cooperative. A blend of 90% Espadín and 10% Barril agave grown at elevations between 4,705 and 5,708 feet, it is naturally fermented and bottled unaged at 84 proof.

The brand Mezcal El Silencio is named after the bar in the movie "Mulholland Drive." El Silencio Joven was released in Los Angeles in late summer of 2013. The Joven is a blend of three types of agave: mexicáno (aka rhodacantha), tobasiche (aka karwinskii), and espadín (angustifolia). It is a Oaxacan product made by Master Mezcalier Pedro Hernandez and is distilled in copper pot-stills. It is unaged and bottled at 80 proof.

This Ensamble Mezcal is produced in Puebla from 100% sustainably-grown agave. Three types of agaves are used: papalote (agave cupreata), espadín (agave angustifolia), and tobalá (agave potatorum). It's made in the artesanal method with the agaves cooked in an underground brick pit oven fueled with Encino and Tepeguaje wood as the fuel. Wild fermentation in an open pine wood vat is followed by distillation in a copper still heated with direct firewood.

Mezcal Unión Uno is a silver mezcal distilled from 2 types of agave: espadín and cirial. It's produced by a group of mezcal families and Master Mezcalero Pedro Hernandez in San Baltazar, Oaxaca.

Bozal, translated as "untamed," alludes to the wild agave species used across the brand's range. This ensamble combines three agave varietals — Espadín, Barril, and Mexicano — grown in the villages of Ejutla de Crespo and San Baltazar, Oaxaca. Produced in small batches using earthen ovens, stone tahona wheels, open-air natural fermentation, and copper pot stills for double distillation. Bottled at 94 proof.

Much like with cognac, blending is at the heart of this mezcal. Utilizing four different wild and rare species of agave the blender is looking to heighten the drinking experience by keying up certain strengths and balancing out any shortcomings this mezcal might have. Cirial adds spice and earthiness while Tobalá adds body and sweetness. Lumbre brightens and Tobasiche provides depth and herbal characteristics.

The Ensamble stands out from the rest of the Wahaka range, which are all single-agave releases. Mezcalero Alberto “Beto” Morales describes the Ensamble as “a marvel” - it’s a blend of three Wahaka mezcals: Espadín (50%), Madre Cuishe (25%) and Tobalá (25%). The result is a full-flavored, complex spirit.

Wild Common Mezcals are made in the artesanal method from 100% agave. The agaves used in this ensamble blend are espadín and tobalá, both sourced from San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca. It's bottled at 46% ABV.