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Tomelloso

Red · Reserve · Medium-sweet

Vermouth Universo Reserva

Soleras de Tomelloso

Tomelloso , España

No score

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Overall impression

Universo Reserva Vermouth is the barrel-aged expression of the premium UN|VERSO range that Soleras de Tomelloso launched in 2019 with Sara Abad, granddaughter of founder Miguel Abad Arroyo, as renewed continuity of family vermouth tradition begun in 1962 and preceded by Rushmore from 1972. According to universovermut.com, Reserva is born from carefully selected herbs — sandalwood, coriander — and spices such as cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon, with slow barrel maceration over twelve months that adds intense nuances. The winery describes it as enigmatic and surprising, reflecting several generations' experience in Tomelloso (Ciudad Real). It won No. 1 Best In Class — Best Vermouth 2020 — in Wine Up Guide with 92.46 points in blind tasting. At 15% vol. and 75 cl, it represents Manchego reserve vermouth: exotic botanicals, French oak ageing and semisweet profile with medium persistent bitterness. For Vermutpedia, it synthesises Soleras de Tomelloso's premium Castilian-La Mancha bet versus the historic Rushmore line.

Nose and palate

Pending evaluation.

How to serve it

Universo Vermouth recommends serving Reserva between 6 and 8 °C, neat or on ice, and also in cocktails. Given its density and medium persistent bitterness, it works in slow aperitivo with dried fruit, pickles and aged cheese — pairings the brand suggests for the UN|VERSO range. In mixed drinks, it fits tonic or ginger ale with orange twist, adding spiced layers and earthy background without losing elegance. Also in Negroni or Manhattan when twelve-month reserve vermouth with semisweet Manchego profile is wanted. Avoid excess ice that dilutes the silky texture documented in official tasting. Premium packaging and presentation reinforce gift and conscious tasting vocation. For Castilian hospitality, Reserva offers differentiation versus unaged industrial vermouths: exotic botanicals, barrel and verifiable Wine Up award on the winery website.

Production context

Soleras de Tomelloso S.L. makes Universo Reserva in Tomelloso (Castilla-La Mancha), family company specialised in vermouths and mistelas since 2002, with viticultural roots since the late nineteenth century and vermouth production since 1962. Production: selected herbs and spices — sandalwood, coriander, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon among others — slow twelve-month barrel maceration, 15% vol., 750 ml bottle. Made and bottled by Soleras de Tomelloso per product sheet. Wine Up 2020 No. 1 Best In Class award (92.46 points). UN|VERSO project (2019) fuses traditional family formula with exotic botanicals, spices and fruits. For Vermutpedia, Reserva embodies Manchego reserve red vermouth: twelve months in barrel, documented exotic botanicals, published official tasting and Abad heritage from Rushmore. Information verifiable at universovermut.com.

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