Vya Sweet Vermouth

I'm exploring various vermouths to better understand how the different flavors work in cocktails. I had no experience with this brand before purchase, nor have I read any reviews. This vermouth has lovely aromatics that are lush and ripe with berries and fruit and a good dose of spice. On the palate this immediately makes me think of cinnamon dusted Fig Newton cookies with an earthy element and a dominant nature. Its extremely tasty served on ice and an easy sipper with a full body and good mouth feel. I'm not a fan of this in a Manhattan. Like Carpano Antica this vermouth is a bit of a bully with a dominant nature that works best with barrel proof rye or bourbon. Even then, this is a Vermouth that is assertive. Good, but not great. In a Negroni things are a bit different. Campari is a bully and has met its match here. The two in combination made for a potent, flavorful and nicely balanced cocktail Perfect with a London Dry gin and equally impressive in a Boulevardier. This is a quality vermouth. Probably not going to be a regular on my vermouth shelf in the fridge, but it may make the occasional appearance for Negroni week. It is a bit spendy at $15 for a 375ml bottle.

If you think some other red vermouths are cloyingly sweet and overloaded with vanilla, give this a try. Love this in cocktails because it does not overpower the other ingredients. Also great on its own.

We love this one. Its wxcellent on its own—winey, heavy but balanced, and red fruit forward. Its also great in a negroni