Padró & Co. Rojo Clásico Vermouth

Rojo Clásico starts life as a wine, not a vermouth. Padró & Co. press Macabeo and Xarel·lo grapes from their own vines, and after the first winter blend in the house's red vermouth herb formula to make a base coupage.

That coupage then rests for eight to twelve months in barrels that once held sherry — the same casks, in fact, that were once used to transport wine before the winery adapted them for vermouth ageing.

The result is the most traditional expression in the range: warm spice, cinnamon, and clove up front, a creamy palate, and just enough bitterness at the finish to remind you it's still a vermouth.

Nose: Aromas of sweet spices, cinnamon, and clove, with tones of candied fruits.

Mouth: A creamy and fresh palate, followed by memories of slightly bitter Mediterranean herbs.

• Grape Variety: Macabeu (Viura) and Xarel·lo, from the Padró family's own vines
• Barrel Ageing: 8–12 months — ex-sherry oak casks (originally used to transport wine, now adapted for vermouth storage)
• ABV / Size: 18% ALC./VOL. · 750ml
• Flavour Profile: Balanced, mid-complexity — the house's most versatile bottle

Over ice in a short glass, with a slice of orange and a green olive. A splash of soda if you like it longer.

VEGETARIAN

Breadsticks or flatbreads, salted crisps or nuts, all types of cheese, quail's eggs, cheese twists, green olives

MEAT

Pork sausage with cayenne pepper, smoked meats, ham croquetas, chorizo

FISH

Calamari rings or squid, marinated mussels, cockles in brine, smoked oysters, anchovy fillets

SIGNATURE TAPA

Spanish-style potato and onion tortilla

• Diablo Rojo — 60ml Rojo Clásico, 100ml tomato juice, 10ml fresh lemon juice, 1 dash Lea & Perrins, 1 dash Tabasco, a pinch of salt, freshly-ground pepper
• Blood and Sand — 22ml Rojo Clásico, 22ml scotch whisky, 22ml cherry liqueur, 22ml fresh orange juice
• Manhattan — 30ml Rojo Clásico, 60ml bourbon whiskey, 1 dash Angostura bitters

• Gold Medal — Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2022
• Gold Medal — ISW Meininger's International Spirits Awards 2021
• 92 points — Peñín Spirits & Cocktails Guide
• 90 points — Tastings International Review of Spirits
• Gold Medal — International Wine Awards 2017
• Silver Medal — Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018