Bolney Rosso English Vermouth

Appearance

Clear, deep brown amber. (Perhaps overuse of caramel?)

Aroma

Slightly jammy berry fruit – sloe berries and blackcurrant, caramel and wormwood with faint rose and elderflower blossom.

Taste

Bittersweet – bitter herbal wormwood notes and tart acidity balance, perhaps over balance, rich berry and slightly jammy fruit.

Aftertaste

Long lingering wormwood bitterness, jammy berry fruit and delicate spice.

Overall

Despite the use of “mixology” on the front label we were excited to try this English vermouth. Wormwood herbal flavours and accompanying bitterness are very evident, making this bittersweet sweet vermouth on the dry side compared to other less challenging sweet vermouths. However, this herbal bitterness is partially offset by jammy berry fruits makes this vermouth quaffable rather than cloying. Delicate floral notes are evident in the nose but somewhat overwhelmed on the palate.