Padro & Co. Reserva Especial Vermouth
Padro & Co. Reserva Especial is the Tarragona house's answer to a classic — a red vermouth built on a sweet solera wine aged five years in 7,000-litre oak vats, then finished eighteen months in barrels that previously held Xeres sherry, bottled at 18% ABV — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 18% vol (36 proof)
- Size: 750mL (EU format; US import lists 700mL — confirm bottle)
- Aging: 5-year solera sweet wine + 18 months in sherry casks; estate Macabeo and Xarel-lo
- Producer: Padro i Familia S.L., Brafim, Tarragona, Spain — 5th generation, vermouth since 1886
- Awards: 95 pts / 2018 Best Vermouth Red (BTI); Grand Gold, Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Five Generations of Tarragona Vermouth
The Padro family has been making vermouth in Brafim, Tarragona since 1886, and the Reserva Especial is their premium-line flagship: a liqueur-like red vermouth designed to recreate the "classic of Tarragona" on estate-grown Macabeo and Xarel-lo, drawn from solera wines the family has aged in generations-old oak vats. The long sherry-cask finish gives it its signature roasted-nut and molasses depth. More from Padro & Co., or browse the store's liqueur and spirits shelves.
Tasting Notes
Intense and sweet on the nose — dried figs, roasted hazelnuts, and green walnuts from the prolonged aging. The palate is warm and liqueur-like, with licorice and medicinal herbs wrapped in sweet notes and a bitter tang of melted sugar and molasses; a refreshing finish.
How to Enjoy
Serve as an aperitivo — on ice or at room temperature, the Spanish way — or stretch it long in cocktails. The importer suggests a "Diablo Cerveza": vermouth lengthened with tomato juice and light lager over ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Padro & Co. Reserva Especial vermouth?
A Spanish red vermouth from Tarragona built on a five-year-aged sweet solera wine, finished 18 months in sherry casks; 18% ABV.
What does Padro Reserva Especial taste like?
Dried figs, roasted hazelnuts, green walnuts, licorice, and medicinal herbs, sweet with a bitter caramel edge.
How should you drink Padro Reserva Especial?
Chilled or over ice as an aperitivo, or in long beer-based cocktails like the Diablo Cerveza.
Is Padro Reserva Especial an award-winning vermouth?
Yes — BTI 2018 Best Vermouth Red (95 pts), Grand Gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Spirits Selection, and multiple Vinari medals.
A sherry-cask red vermouth worth the shelf space: order Padro & Co. Reserva Especial online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.