Mezcal is ingrained in the culture of Mexico – the region of Oaxaca, specifically – with recipes and methods handed down through generations. And with each new generation of “mezcaliers” come new ideas on how to approach their native spirit. Enter Mezcal El Silencio, a handcrafted, small-batch mezcal that reflects both timeless tradition and the rebellious new generation of producers who seek to create a mezcal for a new breed of tastemakers, out-of-the-box thinkers and creative drinkers. This premium “joven” mezcal is a 100% agave blend or “ensemble” – using only the finest and carefully selected 10-12 year old agave – double-distilled to 40% ABV for a smooth, elegant, complex character, ideal for both connoisseurs and those newly drawn to the seductive nature of tequila’s smokier and sexier sibling.
Mezcal El Silencio reflects a passion for the spirit held by Los Angeles businessman, Fausto Zapata, who enlisted Master Mezcalier Pedro Hernandez, a young visionary craftsman who descends from an old mezcal dynasty.
“Mezcal is my heritage, my life and my pride,” says Hernadez. “I only make it for those who will cherish drinking it as much as I cherish crafting it.”
Positioning itself as a break in the cacophony of the congested world of spirits, Mezcal El Silencio fosters an identity as a pure alternative that provides drinkers an affordable luxury while transporting them to the land of mythical dreams and fantasies in which it is formed.
The brand’s Mescaliers in the Field in Oaxaca. Photo courtesy of Mezcal El Silencio.
While rooted in tradition, Mezcal El Silencio is a defiant departure from classic Mezcal production by blending three different agave species that are sourced in the small town of San Baltazar. Double distilled and balanced to a smooth 40% ABV, the crystal clear mezcal offers a fresh, sweet agave aroma with hints of citrus that come through on the palate, combined with a spiced undertone; the long, extra smooth finish bears a hint of sweet, rich, smoky character. Altogether, Mezcal El Silencio is both a sipping spirit and one that lends itself flawlessly to handcrafted cocktails.
“Mezcal is to tequila what single malt is to whisky,” says Mezcal El Silencio founder Fausto Zapata. “With Mezcal El Silencio, we have created a beautiful balance of flavors that come together in a smooth, elegant and delightfully complex manner; crafted with the soul of Oaxaca, yet inspired by a world of iconoclasts, game changers and non-conformists.”
Also integral to the Mezcal El Silencio identity is the Los Angeles, California, sensibility that the team brings to the stylish brand elements, which were both envisioned and executed by Vicente Cisernos, whose obsession with beauty and design speaks to its classic-made-modern ethos. Designed to invoke an elegant and tranquil feeling, Mezcal El Silencio’s clear glass bottle features a stylish engraving with each bottle individually labeled, numbered, and signed by its Master Mezcalier. Making its entry into the U.S. market by launching in Los Angeles in limited supply, it is now poured at Picca, Mo Chica, Paiche, Soho House, The Montage Beverly Hills, Chateau Marmont, Rivera, Crossroads, Boa Steakhouse, The Spare Room, Seventy7 and ShoreBar, among others.
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
