Vermouth 2020
 

Best Vermouth - 2020

The Fifty Best Vermouth Tasting

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 16 vermouths with nineteen members of our spirits judging panel. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the vermouths were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for this tasting.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated.



DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Contratto Vermouth Rosso
(Italy)

Nose: Root beer, sarsaparilla, cola, cherry cola, coke syrup, dark sugar, beautiful blend of sour tropical fruits, dry Concord grapes, orange peel, bitter orange, citrus, mint, herbal, herbs, basil, rosemary, cardamom, allspice, thyme, peppery, clove, black licorice, florid, incense, roots, bitter root, fireplace.

Palate: Cherries, bright cherry, tart cherries, cane sugar, root beer, sarsaparilla, cherry cola, Coca Cola, lemon, grapefruit, citrus, citric, bitter orange, charred citrus peels, lavender, chamomile, perfume, herbal, herbs, spearmint, sweet cardamom, rosemary, thyme, oregano, clove, angelica root, tannic, Angostura bitters, bitters, slightly gentian, bright, velvety, smooth.

Finish: Raisins, cola, root beer, cane sugar, lemonade, lime, grassy, floral, herbal, sweet spice, delightful oregano, bitters, soft, rich, delicious.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Contratto Vermouth Rosso




Carpano Classico Vermouth
(Italy)

Nose: Dates, figs, cherry, licorice, currant, dates, prunes, prune juice, stewed prunes, baked apple, applesauce, raisin, dried fruit, root beer, herbal, dark raisins, orange peel, caramel, vanilla, gingerbread, cinnamon, cloves, mixed herbs, woody, muddled spiced wine, sherry, hints of port, complex, rich, savory.

Palate: Prune, raisins, dried dates, dried fruit, roasted plum, currants, cherry, plums, pomegranate, Coca Cola, orange pulp, bitter orange, grapefruit rind, citrus, herbs, botanical roots, roses, gingerbread, cinnamon, mugwort, coriander, spices, woody, smooth, can stand alone.

Finish: Prunes, raisins, dried cherries, sweet plum, fig, bitter orange, grapefruit, burnt sugar, bittersweet cinnamon, clove, spices, earthy, rich, mouth awakening, great.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Carpano Classico Vermouth




Cameo Vermouth No. 11 Semi-Sweet Red
(Belgium)

Nose: Orange peel, grapefruit peel, marmalade, molasses, prune, cooked prunes, prune juice, raisins, star anise, black licorice, herbal, menthol, fennel seeds, sweet dried herbs, cardamom, concentrated clove, maccha root, roots, smoky, woody, beautiful bitter notes, soft, madeira.

Palate: Prunes, stewed prunes, spiced prune, raisins, dark stone fruit, honey undertone, baked apple, sweet peppers, chamomile, mint, fennel, saffron, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, mugwort, bitter bark, nice bitterness, smoky, balanced, amaro-like.

Finish: Semi-sweet herbal, peppermint, honey, wormwood, gentian, cinchona bark, birch, bitter to sour, finishes like a sherry, Pedro Ximinez, madeira, nice mixer, great.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Cameo Vermouth No. 11 Semi-Sweet Red




Contratto Vermouth Bianco
(Italy)

Nose: Dates, figs, cherry, licorice, currant, dates, prunes, prune juice, stewed prunes, baked apple, applesauce, raisin, dried fruit, root beer, herbal, dark raisins, orange peel, caramel, vanilla, gingerbread, cinnamon, cloves, mixed herbs, woody, muddled spiced wine, sherry, hints of port, complex, rich, savory.

Palate: Prune, raisins, dried dates, dried fruit, roasted plum, currants, cherry, plums, pomegranate, Coca Cola, orange pulp, bitter orange, grapefruit rind, citrus, herbs, botanical roots, roses, gingerbread, cinnamon, mugwort, coriander, spices, woody, smooth, can stand alone.

Finish: Prunes, raisins, dried cherries, sweet plum, fig, bitter orange, grapefruit, burnt sugar, bittersweet cinnamon, clove, spices, earthy, rich, mouth awakening, great.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Contratto Vermouth Bianco




Carpano Bianco Vermouth
(Italy)

Nose: Raisins, dried fruits, orange, blood orange, marmalade, lychee, concord grape, honey, cola, light cinnamon, faint chocolate, licorice, black licorice, anise, fennel seeds, floral, sweet violet, roses, jasmine, herbal, lemongrass, mint, eucalyptus, clove, cinnamon, tarragon, beautiful.

Palate: Sweet golden raisins, lychee, white grape, orange, orange peel, grapefruit peel, pink grapefruit rind, lemon peel, ginger, anise, roses, cherry cola, spearmint, basil, cardamom, light herbal notes, delicate sweetness, balanced, can stand alone.

Finish: Lemon peel, lemon, citrus, pear, dried fruit, herbs, nutty, savory subtle spice, hint of tartness balances sweetness, soft, smooth, pleasant, perfect on ice with a twist, elegant.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Carpano Bianco Vermouth




GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Vermouth Del Professore Classico
(Italy)

Nose: Lime, lemon & lime, lemon peel, lime peel, cucumber, ginger, celery, parsley, fresh cut grass, grassy, eucalyptus, mint leaves, soft mint, spearmint, anise, cilantro, strong herbal notes, herbs, coriander, tarragon, clove, pepper, peppery, bitters, wormwood, pine needles, bark, salty pine, cedar, birch.

Palate: Orange, clementine orange, ruby red grapefruit, lemon, citrus, lemonade, pineapple, sweet banana, hints of stone fruit, dried fruits, honeyed, caramel, ginseng, sweet pepper, rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, clove, allspice, spicy, briny, pine, wormwood, absinthe-like, nicely balanced.

Finish: Clementine, lemon peel, citrus, candied orange, sweet peppers, ground herbs, clove, allspice, cinnamon, caramel, sweet oak, tree bark, birch, sweet bitters, sweet bite, fresh, flavorful, nice mixer.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Vermouth Del Professore Classico




Capitoline Rosé
(Washington, D.C.)

Nose: Cooked plums, plum wine, amarena cherries, cherry Coke, macerated blood orange, ginger beer, ginger, sweet ginger, pickled ginger, red apple skins, grapefruit, citrus, lemon oil, lemongrass, spearmint, mint, spice cake, spiced wine, clove, dried herbs, herbaceous, rosemary, bitters, briny, smoky, powerful.

Palate: Sweet lime, lemon juice, grapefruit pith, bright citrus, bitter orange, star fruit, sweet apple skins, zinfandel grape, ginger beer, ginger, caramel, muddled spiced wine, potent herbal, eucalyptus, minty, licorice, anise, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, roots, cedar.

Finish: Grapefruit, bitter grapefruit, lemon, citrus, McIntosh apple, raisins, gingerbread, clove, spice, wormwood, herbal, black tea, bitter, mineral, tannic, earthy, bitters, can stand alone, lovely.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Capitoline Rosé




Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
(Italy)

Nose: Caramelized, figs, raisins, root beer, dark brown sugar, maple, warm caramel, vanilla, nuts, cola nuts, madeira, licorice, black licorice, anise, violet, baked citrus, lemon, citrus peel, herbal, mint, spearmint, menthol, eucalyptus, cinnamon, earthy, birch bark, birch, woody, sauna.

Palate: Dried cherry, cherry, root beer, sarsaparilla, vanilla, kola nut, sweet treacle, brown sugar, honey, apricot, sour orange, fennel, black tea, spearmint, minty, cloves, cinnamon, bittersweet, bitter, birch, madeira-like, nicely balanced flavors.

Finish: Cherry, dark chocolate, candied lemon peel, orange, lime, chicory, coffee, rye seed, licorice, clove, mint, bay leaf, bitters, bitter, nice mixer.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth




Punt e Mes
Originale Vermouth of Torino

(Italy)

Nose: Orange peel, grapefruit peel, marmalade, molasses, prune, cooked prunes, prune juice, raisins, madeira, star anise, black licorice, herbal, menthol, fennel seeds, sweet dried herbs, cardamom, concentrated clove, maccha root, roots, smoky, woody, beautiful bitter notes, soft.

Palate: Prunes, stewed prunes, spiced prune, raisins, dark stone fruit, honey undertone, baked apple, sweet peppers, chamomile, mint, fennel, saffron, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, mugwort, bitter bark, nice bitterness, smoky, balanced, amaro-like.

Finish: Semi-sweet herbal, peppermint, honey, wormwood, gentian, cinchona bark, birch, bitter to sour, finishes like a sherry, Pedro Ximinez, madeira, nice mixer, great.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Punt e Mes Originale Vermouth of Torino




Cameo Vermouth No. 17 Semi-Dry White
(Belgium)

Nose: Meyer lemon, lemon, sour lemon, lemon/lime, citrus, citrus peel, ripe banana, peach cider, apricot, pear, pear drop, Juicy Fruit, powdered sugar, brown sugar, slight caramel, vanilla, vanilla bean, almond extract, honey, honeysuckle, chamomile, white flowers, floral, flora notes, green leaves, mint, herbs, anise, dried leaves, arrowroot, dogwood, must, bitters, smoky, fresh.

Palate: Lemon, fresh lemon peel, lemon pith, grapefruit peel, grapefruit, citrus, lime leaves, grapes, dried fruit, root beer, bitter caramel, chamomile, herbal, dried herbs, sage, cinnamon, wormwood, gentian, tart, bitter, earthy, nature.

Finish: Lemon, citrus, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, persistent banana, lemongrass, gentian, bitters, dusty, earthy, crisp, zesty, pleasant.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Cameo Vermouth No. 17 Semi-Dry White




Vermut Lustau Blanco
(Spain)

Nose: Grapefruit, white grape, ginger, rose, floral, herbaceous, eucalyptus, dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, celery salt, white pepper, toasted sesame seeds, leather, woody, pine, cedar, clean, crisp.

Palate: Grapefruit, orange, lemon peel, hints of citrus, juicy grapes, pear, apricot, honey, sweet herbs, herbaceous, dill, sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, light cloves, eucalyptus, tomato leaf, toasted tea, spicy, briny, woody, cedar, savory.

Finish: Herbaceous, oregano, dry spices, leafy, dried leaves, tobacco, earthy, nice sweetness, great mouthfeel, soft, well-balanced, interesting.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Vermut Lustau Blanco




Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso
(Italy)

Nose: Raisins, prunes, figs, bitter orange peel, cocoa bean, dark chocolate, cola beans, nutty, coffee, licorice, anise, coriander seeds, laurel, quinine, clove, herbal, herbaceous, subtle sweet herbs, earthy, sweet bark, wood, birch, caramel, rich, sherry-like.

Palate: Prunes, prune juice, cocoa, dry cola notes, coffee, charred grapefruit peel, rind, lemon, lime, orange, grapes, rhubarb, green peppers, herbal, chamomile, cardamom, coriander seeds, cloves, mulling spices, dry herbs, smoky, woody, tree bark, maccha root, bitters, great bitter notes, Cinzano, Fernet, classic.

Finish: Black cherry, cola, molasses, orange, apple, lime peel, celery root, licorice, herbal, cinnamon, spice, balanced, nice, clean, smooth, velvet, lovely.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso




SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Vermut Lustau Rosé
(Spain)

Nose: Apricot, peach, plum juice, ginger peel, orange, sour lemon, lime, citrus, Pez candy, bubblegum, rose water, spring blossoms, light floral notes, saffron, herbs, rosemary, thyme, oregano, cloves, distant cinnamon, roots, bitter root, wormwood, talcum powder, hay, grass, pine, fresh.

Palate: Asian pear, sweet pear, lychee, pineapple, apricot, white stone fruit, apple, watermelon, lavender, sweet rose, rose petals, floral, sweet treacle, caramel, dark chocolate, nutty, clove, oregano, rosemary, sage, saffron, grassy, pepper, wood cured in cane sugar, oak, soft, balanced, really lovely.

Finish: Vanilla, caramel, apricot, dried fruit, citrus candies, apple juice, lemonade, floral, white peppers, sweet hickory, lingering sweetness, rich, velvet, Victorian, elegant, delicate sipper.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Vermut Lustau Rosé




Vermut Lustau Rojo
(Spain)

Nose: Cherries, prunes, craisins, dried fruit, honey, caramel, cola, lemon, grapefruit, citric, grass, parsley, herbal, sweet black tea, hazelnut, almonds, orris root, clove, oregano, wet wood, cedar, marsala wine, sherry like, Pedro Jimenez sherry, aged whiskey, fresh.

Palate: Sweet dried cherries, dried plum, dried raspberries, dried fruits, Fig Newtons, candied figs, sweet root beer, caramel, plantain, pomegranate, grape, grape juice, grapefruit, herbal, mint, rosemary, sweet oregano, coffee, chili, sassafras, wood, soft, tasty.

Finish: Dried cherries, raisin, root beer, cola, honey, sweet Concord grape, lemon, herbal, herbaceous, menthol, clove, tannins, tree bark, sweet sherry.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Vermut Lustau Rojo




Carpano Dry Vermouth
(Italy)

Nose: Lemon concentrate, sour lemon, lime, apple juice, cider, craisins, honey, honeysuckle, florid, herbal, mint, wintergreen, grassy, ginseng, anise, oregano, hint of white pepper, cinnamon, clove, hay, straw, nutty, tree bark, light wood.

Palate: Lemon, lemon peel, grapefruit, granita, apple juice, white flowers, mint, ginseng, burdock, Thanksgiving spice, sage, thyme, myrrh, gentian, bitter, cedar, dry sherry, tangy, savory, strong classic.

Finish: Lemon, lemon pith, ginger, sherry, vanilla, straw, hay, tannic, bitter, balanced.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Carpano Dry Vermouth




Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry
(Italy)

Nose: Apple baskets, apple juice, sour lemon, lime peel, citrus, light pineapple, coconut, ginger ale, juniper, floral, mint, spearmint, rosemary, sage, anise, mastiha, sherry, aromatic.

Palate: Lemon sorbet, tart lemons, lemon peel, grapefruit, citrus, sour green apples, sour grapes, lime leaves, floral, lilac, spearmint, anise, green peppers, sage, Russian sage, thyme, lightly bitter, slightly tart, gentian, pine, tree bark.

Finish: Lemon, bitter lemon essence, sage, thyme, slightly bitter, mountain pine, fresh linen, soft.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry

 

 

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