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Rojo

Quintanar de la Orden

Red · Artisan · Medium-sweet

Vermouth Mila Rojo

Vermouth Mila 1868

Quintanar de la Orden , España

7.5 /10

Vermutpedia Score: 7.5/10

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Overall impression

Vermouth Mila Rojo condenses more than a century and a half of Toledo history: Pedro Vela opened a colonial goods factory in Quintanar de la Orden in 1868 that would become artisan vermouth; the MILA brand — acronym of MIguel veLA — consolidated between 1891 and 1936. Today the Morate family winery remains in town as a Castilian-La Mancha reference for tavern vermouth, evoking earthenware fountains, zinc bars and carafes at ideal aperitivo temperature from times past. For Vermutpedia, it represents the archetypal Castilian taberna vermouth: Airén, familiar spice blend and 1-litre format for bar and home.

Nose and palate

Ruby hues with orange reflections. Intense nose of herbs and spices: cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, fennel, wormwood and vanilla in studied proportions, with the caramel touch that defines the colour. On the palate aromatic power holds and bitter aftertaste is consistent and characteristic; balance between tradition and vanguard, as the winery itself describes. Less creamy than a barrel-aged vermouth, but with very recognisable herbaceous identity. Moderate sweetness and full bitterness define the Mila signature. The finish is long, spiced and inviting repeat pours. For anyone seeking historic Castilian vermouth without pretension, this cinnamon-anise-wormwood profile offers the palate the house has maintained for generations.

How to serve it

Cold in a glass, with ice and citrus peels; shaken or stirred in classic cocktails, or mixed with sparkling drinks. The house conceives it as aperitivo-hour vermouth, not only a bar ingredient. Serve between 6 and 8 °C in wide glass or tumbler; the 1-litre format suits home carafe service and tavern culture. Pairs with olives, cheese, Castilian tapas and informal terrace gatherings. Works in vermouth-soda and simple highballs where Mila spice can show. At room temperature it loses freshness; refrigerate before serving. For Vermutpedia, Mila Rojo is drunk cold with citrus, as Toledo tavern vermouth built for aperitivo and classic mixed drinks.

Production context

Made with young dry Airén of the year, aromatised with the unaltered family recipe and rest in stainless steel tanks until harmonisation, with double filtration. Also in 1 L carafe, bag in box and tavern formats. 15% vol.; usual presentation 1 L bottle (box of 6). The winery also produces moscatel as a complementary specialty. Anniversary limited edition in 75 cl exists alongside this standard line. For Vermutpedia, Mila Rojo synthesises Morate's artisan Toledo vermouth: Airén, semisweet, unaged, historic, verifiable at vermouthmila1868.com. Foundational piece of the Castilla-La Mancha vermouth map.

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