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Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
Distiller Score 92
Aromatic aromas of pine, cedar, birch tree, jasmine, and orange peel fill the nose. The palate is a rich and full-bodied mix of jammy berries, vanilla, and cocoa tempered by woodsy notes and rosemary with bitter wormwood, grapefruit peel, and tart rhubarb. The finish is rich and balanced, with the woody-bitter notes adding a faint accent.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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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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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Del Professore Vermouth Chinato
Distiller Score 95
This china is pleasantly balanced and laid back. There is an evergreen earthiness to it, but it's well integrated with the rich, red fruitiness (blood orange, red berries, tart rhubarb) and dark chocolate notes. It can definitely be served neat or as a spritz, but would also play nicely as a sub for sweet vermouth, especially for those who prefer a less sugary option.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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González Byass Vermouth La Copa Rojo
Distiller Score 92
Rich, nutty, with earthy aromatics and a hint of orange in the finish, this tawny brown vermouth drinks more like a sherry. It's intended to be consumed as an aperitif on the rocks with a twist (making it the perfect drink for Groundhog Day!) instead of mixed into cocktails. However, it does lend itself well to stirred drinks such as an aromatic style of Manhattan or a low ABV recipe like an Adonis, especially if making a lighter, more summery type recipe. This is definitely one to keep in the fridge at all times in the warmer months.
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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Belvedere Heritage 176
Distiller Score 92
Heritage 176 is peppery and grain forward on the nose, but compared to the standard Belvedere, there's more of a sweetness on the nose. The spirit feels full on the palate with a moderate oiliness coupled with sweet toasted grain. The spice level is moderate and the taste is bittersweet. Again, compared to the standard version, this spirit has more of a nutty quality. However, as it's overall fairly neutral, all of the flavors mentioned are nuanced. The finish is fairly lengthy. Overall, an excellent sipper and great in a Martini.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Linie Aquavit Original
Distiller Score 85
There’s caraway, black licorice and touches of orange peel, followed by a whiff of vanilla. Overall the nose is fairly herbal. A minty arrival on the palate, combined with oak, some grassy notes and some very subtle red fruits, but also more of that black licorice. Tasty, yet a little shy at times.
Reviewed by Thijs Klaverstijn
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Luxardo Antico
Distiller Score 93
Cherries are rightfully at the forefront on the nose, ahead of blackberries, vanilla, prunes, and mandarin. The palate is all syrupy cherry pie filling, along with a mulled wine quality featuring red fruits, orange zest, and spices such as cinnamon and clove. The finish lingers on the fruity interplay between tart, sour, and sweet.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Skiklubben White Mountain Aquavit
Distiller Score 88
Cinnamon Red Hots lead on the nose, along with licorice, allspice, white pepper, and rye bread. The whiskey base provides a creamy mouthfeel, with the palate revealing butterscotch, caraway, ginger peels, and both lemon peel and pith. The finish is short and clean with vanilla taffy and tannic black tea. An approachable if nontraditional aquavit.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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González Byass Vermouth La Copa Extra Seco
Distiller Score 88
While the description of this vermouth advertises an "extra dry" style, it sips more like an aromatized rosé wine. Blood orange, clove, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar and earthy spice dominate the palate with a fresh finish reminiscent of red berries. This is the sort of vermouth that's more of an on-the-rocks sipper than a mixer, as it is a bit sweeter and more woodsy than most white vermouths. That's not a bad thing, but something to consider if using it to make traditional white vermouth cocktails such as Martinis. It would lend itself well to white (though it would be slightly pink) Negronis or a Bamboo, or added to a sherry cobbler for texture.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Wine Collective Vermu Rosé
Distiller Score 92
A pleasant scent of fresh berries, pine trees and blood orange carries the nose, with more pronounced fruitiness (watermelon, strawberry, orange, lichee) on the palate. A refreshing note of mint, earthy green tea and warm spices follow through into the finish. It's a delightful, semi-sweet sipper on its own, but would be excellent to use to lighten up summer Negronis, or even a summer version of a Manhattan, not to mention an array of spritzes.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster