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On a more serious note, we did a side by side tasting of Alessio Rosso, Carpano Classico, and 3 Cocchi rossos: Storico, Dopo Teatro, and Barolo Chinato (ok, a bit of a ringer). No Punt e Mes in stock at the hacienda. The Alessio was the darkest of the bunch, darker than the Carpano Classico. Kristi thought its flavor profile was closest to the Storico for its herbal/sour notes, but the Alessio was clearly similar to the Dopo Teatro in terms of bitterness, with arguably greater complexity. The Chinato was bitter, too, but it was a quinquina bitterness, rather different-tasting from the wormwood bitterness in the vermouth amaros, and the barolo wine base was definitely less complex than the vermouths. I'd say the Alessio Rosso belongs in the same category of vermouth amaros as Dopo Teatro; be interesting to taste it alongside Punt e Mes.

I am stunned to hear that we can get something (from Europe, no less) out here in the sticks that's unavailable in London. I do see that you found an Alessio Chinato, however, presumably available in London, that I have never seen before; have to inquire with the local Pony Express office about getting that. Next I'll hear from J. Carr that it's available in Canberra, too.