Mezcal El Silencio Espadín

El Silencio is part of the Mezcal brands trying to bridge the gap between making an accessible, gentler Mezcal that will be palatable to Tequila drinkers without compromising too much on traditional Mezcal methods. This is not a wholly industrialized product but it doesn't aim for the traditional Mezcal flavors. As such, this should be viewed as an introductory Mezcal and not one for seasoned veterans. The marketing itself makes it explicit that this is also meant more for mixing than neat sipping & the pricing makes it clear this isn't an artisanal, high level product. I don't have a problem with what El Silencio sets out to do & the glowing online reviews by Mezcal newbies showcase they are doing something right. As far as Mezcals go this is indeed very accessible and smooth. The smokiness is present throughout the experience without feeling overbearing or covering the other flavors. In fact, I initially bought the mini because a recipe called for a splash of Mezcal & it exceeded my expectations, making it's presence known without overpowering any other ingredients. But enough background information, let's get on to the actual tasting. The nose is nothing exceptional. It's actually quite muted all things considered. I could pick out a buttery, almost cream cheese like smell along with a musty, earthy aroma. There's also light, subtle fruity hints but they're ephemeral and hard to pin down. My best guess would be green apple or a tart pear. Bit of a mineral smell too. The most obvious smells are of roasted agave and (by Mezcal standards) light smoke, but these are to be expected. The taste is surprisingly watery and honestly fairly bland. There isn't a lot going on here. The sweet agave is prominent and counter-balanced by the light smokiness. There's a leathery taste to it and a mineral like quality to the finish. I don't have much at all to say about the finish. It's just the smokiness tapering off. This is the closest I've had a Mezcal come to tasting like a Tequila without it feeling like it compromises it's roots. So by all accounts, mission accomplished. I'll finish by stating that this is actually quite a decent mixer. The earthyness, manageable smokiness, sweet agave and faint fruity notes all allow this to be a versatile, cheap mixer. It won't overpower the cocktail but it won't fade into the background either. It's at a good balance. While it's too bland for any Mezcal fan to sip on, it's not bad to keep on hand to introduce someone into the world of Mezcal with a few cocktails and some tastes.