Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth

Product of: Italy

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A reproduction of a vermouth recipe from Benedetto Carpano dating from the late 1780s. Presented in a hand-blown individually numbered bottle.

In 2001, Count Niccolò Branca was sorting through old documents which had come into his possession after the purchase of the Carpano Company. In one old document box he found a recipe for a vermouth, and due to its age and the other documents accompanying it, he believes this to be the original, or one of the original Benedetto Carpano vermouth recipes from the late 1780s. Understandably, Niccolò was excited to have made the find and, wanting to try how this vermouth would have tasted, worked with his herbalist to recreate the forgotten vermouth.

The result was sublime and Niccolò sought to find appropriate packaging for this new vermouth. His inspiration came from the company museum and an ancient Carpano bottle. Like the vermouth inside, the bottle he had made is a faithful replica of the original hand-blown Carpano bottle and its label.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 06/06/2011

Appearance:

Clear, dark reddy-brown amber.

Aroma:

Delicate nose with dried fruits - prunes, dates and raisins, candied cherries, vanilla, spices and orange zest.

Taste:

Bitter-sweet, very slightly syrupy. The dried fruits found on the nose with Christmas spices and a distinct Christmas cake flavour.

Aftertaste:

Cinnamon spice emerges on the fruity finish.