US-based IJW Whiskey has purchased Mezcal El Silencio, adding the Oaxaca-produced mezcal brand to its portfolio.
Under IJW’s ownership, the company plans to focus on expanding its namesake brand’s presence in the US and setting the groundwork for international development. The move, financial details of which were not revealed, comes six years after Constellation Brands acquired a minority stake in El Silencio in 2019.
Global Drinks Intel has asked if Constellation Brands still has a holding in the brand.
El Silencio was founded in 2013 by Fausto Zapata and Vicente Cisneros, although details on whether the co-founders are still with the mezcal business were not shared.
The brand is the subject of a relaunch with a new marketing platform, ‘Find Your Silence’, and a seasonal signature serve developed with bartender Diego Livera. The core range – Espadín (US$35.99), Ensamble ($79.99) and the limited-release Rare ($199.99) – continues to be produced in San Baltazar, Oaxaca. All three are now available nationwide across the US.
In August, Almave, the non-alcoholic agave spirits company co-founded by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, introduced Almave Humo, a zero-proof mezcal alternative.
