Yzaguirre Reserva White Vermouth
Yzaguirre Reserva White Vermouth is the aperitif blanco of the Tarragona house — 36 proof (18% ABV), 1L, made artisanally on a Macabeo white-wine base with the house's secret herb-and-spice mixture, then matured twelve months in oak casks for consistency and character. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 18% (36 proof)
- Size: 1L
- Style: White (blanco) reserva vermouth — balanced, not dry
- Base: Macabeo white wine
- Aging: Twelve months in oak casks
- Origin: El Morell, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain (Bodegas Yzaguirre, founded 1884)
The Blanco That Took the Oak Year
A blanco vermouth is usually the freshest, youngest wine in a house's range. Yzaguirre gives its Reserva White the full Reserva treatment instead: a year in oak, which softens the acidity, adds a subtle wood note, and leaves the herbs and balsamic spices in front. The result pours a deep, intense yellow — noticeably deeper than the pale straw of the Reserva Dry from the same cellar. Compare the tiers in our liqueurs collection, or browse the whole house on the Yzaguirre vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep, intense yellow. Palate: Highly aromatic, velvety and pleasant — woody, herby and spicy notes reminiscent of ripe fruit, tasty and balanced in perfect harmony with its acidity. Finish: Smooth and aromatic, the oak keeping it rounder than an unaged blanco.
How to Enjoy
The producer serves it as an everyday aperitif: well chilled over three or four ice cubes with a slice of orange, a twist of orange peel and fresh mint — with a few drops of Campari for a longer drink. It is also suggested for the kitchen, in cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reserva White the same as Yzaguirre Classic White? No — the Reserva White is 18% and aged twelve months in oak; the Classic White is a separate, younger bottling at 15%.
Is it dry or sweet? Neither extreme — it is a balanced blanco: aromatic and velvety with ripe-fruit character, softer and less acidic than the unaged Classic thanks to its year in oak.
What is it made from? A Macabeo white-wine base with the house's secret mixture of herbs and spices, matured in oak casks at El Morell, Tarragona.
Blanco, but barrel-mellowed — buy Yzaguirre Reserva White Vermouth online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.