A Vermouth di Torino, named after the Italian for amber, ambrato, this Martini Riserva Speciale is a blend of wines specifically selected by Beppe Musso, Martini’s master blender, including a large proportion of wines sourced from the local Piemonte region, with the addition of small parcels of Moscato d’Asti DOCG .
Martini vermouths tend to be created with two different types of wormwood (or Artemisia), but for this edition, the Riserva Speciale Master Herbalist, Ivano Tonutti, has selected a blend of Absinthium, Pontica and Vulgaris, which are joined by a host of exotic botanicals such as Roman Chamomile (also grown in Pancalieri), Ecuadorian yellow Cinchona bark and Chinese Rhubarb.
The concentrated botanical extracts for each vermouth are rested in Piemontese Tino oak vats for over two months, which is a practice that has not been favoured for many decades, although it was typical for the original vermouth di Torino, including Martini.
Incredible herbal complexity from wormwood and clove, with some honey, freshly cracked black pepper and ripe peaches.
Zesty citrus and white flower blossom grows among the green herbal notes, with a balanced and cleansing woody bitterness.
A little elderflower and honeysuckle linger on the finish.
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Like a lot of people, I've developed an unfortunate association with Martini vermouths from years of drinking under-poured servings in martinis & manhattans, from dusty old bottles of long-oxidised product. We've all got to get over that, because the Martini Riserva offerings, at the very least, are fantastic in their own right, and with price considered, unbeatable on value. I'm a huge fan of quinquina wines and at the moment I can't think of a better amber one on the market. This is great on its own as an aperitif or in any cocktail where a medium-sweet vermouth is called for. I can't really claim to be a Vesper martini aficionado, so take my advice accordingly, but from what I've read of classic Kino Lillet, I reckon you couldn't find a better replacement than this.
It is a vital ingredient to our favourite gin cocktail The Laverstoke.
It makes the most wonderful white Negroni with Luxardo Bianco bitters and a good gin (I like Miller's)
