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Del Professore Vermouth di Torino Classico
Distiller Score 97
The overall feel of this vermouth is pleasantly earthy, with warm, savory herbal notes that lead to a harmoniously balanced finish. This style of vermouth is meant to be served neat or on the rocks, and it certainly would do the trick. However, because the herbaceousness is so elegantly dialed down, it's a perfect cocktail modifier for Martinis and other drinks that call for white vermouth.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Lustau Vermut Rosé
Distiller Score 94
The aroma is tangy with an herbal green note, a touch of caramel and vanilla coming through. As you taste, it's just a touch sweet on your palate. The acidity in the wine helps to balance this out so the sweetness isn't overpowering. It is fruit forward with the grape wine and orange notes coming through. The fino sherry notes give it a slight nutty flavor as well. A fun warm-weather wine to have on the rocks with a twist--instant cocktail in a glass.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose
Distiller Score 94
Really bright, intense grapefruit nose with the rose playing a very minor role here. The floral note shows up on the finish, but the grapefruit is there to stop it from heading into potpourri territory. It has a crisp, bittersweet finish. Of course you could use this in a cocktail, but it really doesn't need much more than ice and club soda to be complete.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Lillet Rosé
Distiller Score 92
Fresh raspberry and strawberry fill the nose, backed by notes of rosemary, thyme, blood orange, and a hint of florals. More of the same fruits echo on the palate in addition to tart and earthy rhubarb, mixing with woodsy botanical flavors. The finish is very bright, refreshing, and clean, with the citrus aromatics and earthiness keeping the fruity sweetness well balanced.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Dubonnet Rouge
Distiller Score 92
Berried aromas of ripe red cherries, raspberries, and blackberries mix with earthier tones of pinecone, sage, bay leaf and a pop of orange zest. The palate is a pleasing mix of tangy, ripe red currants, blueberry, blackberry with earthy pine needle, mint, anise, clove, and cinnamon. Black tea tannins add back bone and balance, allowing a bright finish with subtle florals and spices to shine through. While it's delicious as a neat sipper or on the rocks with a twist, this aperitif can be used in a number of cocktails calling for sweet vermouth such as Manhattans and Negronis.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint
Distiller Score 91
The cucumber aroma is quite intense, enough that you can detect it when you open the bottle, with thoughts turning to their skins. Mint is of moderate intensity which is a nice collaboration. The cucumber flavor, thankfully, comes down a few notches upon tasting with the refreshing mint offering a crisp finish. Of course serving with club soda on the rocks is a natural go-to, but consider adding a splash of pink lemonade or grapefruit juice to add a little sweetness (and dimension).
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Lustau Vermut Blanco
Distiller Score 90
On the nose, the marjoram comes through as does the wormwood, but neither is overpowering. The vermouth is full on the palate with a touch of sweetness on the tongue. There's also a bit of a nutty flavor from the sherry wine. Since the acidity is so high, the sweetness seems balance the vermouth into the blanco style and offer up a full body. Finish is only slightly bitter.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Dolin Dry Vermouth
Distiller Score 90
Dolin Dry Vermouth is almost clear in color. The intensity on the aroma is low, but there are lemon and wine notes to be found. Otherwise, not a lot going on there. The vermouth is soft on the palate with the intensity picking up a bit. More of the lemony notes, but also a mild green herb and bitter notes coming through. The added sweetness just rounds out the vermouth, it doesn't show much sweetness at all. Overall, not a neutral vermouth but perhaps one to choose if you're not looking for overly bitter.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth
Distiller Score 90
With a very pale yellow color, the vermouth opens up aromas of sea salt, orange peel, some bitter roots and a very slight nutty profile. On the palate, the vermouth is sharp and tangy. These aromas aren't super intense on the palate, but the same notes appear. Chamomile and coriander show up as light notes. Very much a vermouth for when you don't want to overpower your cocktail. If you prefer a Vodka Martinis, you might want to give this one a try.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Lillet Blanc
Distiller Score 89
Notes of blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, sage, thyme, and oregano mix with subtle florals on the nose. The palate is a mix of ripe quince and pear, white grapefruit, rosemary, and floral aromatics bound by an earthy, slightly woody grip. It finishes with a honeyed sweetness and hints of rhubarb.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Cocchi Americano
Distiller Score 89
Aromas of sweet herbs and woodsy botanicals — mint, thyme, pine needle — mix with pear and stone fruits on the nose. The palate combines honeyed flavors of golden apple, quince, lemon, and pear with earthy alpine notes, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, sassafras, cinchona bark, and mint. It leans somewhat to the fruity side, with a honeyed finish, but with a balanced grip from the botanical mix.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Starlino Rosso Vermouth
Distiller Score 88
The nose is spicy and woodsy, with notes of orange zest and a hint of balsamic vinegar. The palate is sweet and a bit caramelized, but more of that woodsiness keeps the dial on the slightly savory side. It tastes a bit like a room temperature or cool version of mulled wine, with a hint of bitterness in the finish. The flavor may be a bit too spicy or oxidized for traditional cocktails like a Manhattan, but it has major spritz appeal as a sipping vermouth or even a chilled dessert wine.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster