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Savoia Americano Rosso
Distiller Score 86
The nose is quite jammy, with notes of fresh berries, orange blossom, sandalwood, and sage. The flavor is on the milder side of the bitters spectrum—more fruity and rich than woodsy and bitter, with orange, sweet spices. cocoa, and a mix of aromatic roots as its dominant flavor components. The richer, sweeter flavor finish is such that it's probably more spritz-worthy than suited for classic Negronis.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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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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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Del Professore Vermouth di Torino Rosso
Distiller Score 88
For fans of sweet vermouth with a richer texture, this is a great one to reach for. The presence of mint is barely detectable, merely adding a needed freshness to its fruity richness that finishes with an orangey aroma. It's delicious on its own on the rocks, but for mixing, it's probably best with spirits or other ingredients that have a bit of a kick in their own right.
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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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
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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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Lillet Rouge
Distiller Score 85
The nose is reminiscent of red zinger tea — slightly tannic, with notes of balsamic vinegar and thyme. These tart and woodsy notes also reflect on the palate, which adds additional flavors of tart plum, orange peel, sage, and dried oregano. The finish is rather tangy and slightly vinegary, with notes of ruby red grapefruit and a persistent herbaceousness.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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West 32 Reserve Soju
Distiller Score 87
The soju is a light blonde in the glass, and on the nose offers a creamy vanilla sweetness with hints of lemon peel. The cane sugar comes through on a soft and clean palate. The short finish is where the oak is felt, with caramel, tannic wood, and faint baking spices. With the added strength comparative to typical soju and soft oak influence, it makes for an interesting dalliance with the world of whiskey.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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
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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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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