Tony Hills

Not too sure about your comments regarding Lillet being a Vermouth with a coffee flavour. This is an aromatised wine as such not strictly a Vermouth. Also it certainly does not have a coffee flavour. Interestingly the Vesper is often referred to as a Vesper Martini. But as it does not actually contain any Vermouth it can not be described as a Martini at all. Now what makes a perfect Vesper? happy to debate this with anyone as not even Bond had a perfect Vesper neither shaken or stirred!

Hi

I have just seen your interest in my miniature Kina Lillet collection. I had not really considered selling but happy to explore this option, or maybe share a perfect Vesper?

I have tried all of the well documented potential alternatives and then some. I have compared these with my own well preserved Kina Lillet (lilet). I would love to say that one of the proposed alternatives is the closest, but drum roll. In my personal and informed opinion modern Lillet Blanc is the closest and indeed very close. The bitter quinine that was removed has, over time been overstated. Off the shelf, the best compromise Vesper Martini is Vesper Martini No. 3 created Alessandro Palazzi.

I have been collecting Kina Lillet for maybe 15 years. This is a hobby of mine originally inspired to create the perfect Vesper. Naturally all of the bottles that come up for sale have oxidised, turned a nasty dark colour and the flavour is lost. However the secret lies in my collection of miniatures. These have been bottled with a plastic stopper and airtight wax seal. These have not oxidised and are in perfect condition. Happy to share with any genuine enthusiast. July 23