Sweet Vermouth

[caleb]

My brother likes to drink Manhattans, so I need to pick up some good sweet vermouth in advance of the holidays.

Everything at my local bottle shops is unfit for human consumption. The best thing I've found so far is Martini and Rossi ($9.95) - no thanks. I'll have to make a special stop at a decent wine shop this week when I'm in Minneapolis.

I hear good thinks about Vya, but I've never tried it. Any other recommendations to share?

[rubeboy]

Vya is very good, but Antica Formula - Vermouth : Speciality Brands Ltd Antica is the best I've found.
Mix it with a good rye and a bit of good dry vermouth and there ya go.

[rubeboy]

There are lots of good bitters out there now too! They do make a difference.

[caleb]

Thanks, I'll see if I can find the Carpano Antica.

[caleb]

There are lots of good bitters out there now too! They do make a difference.

Do tell!

[rubeboy]

My favorites right now, depending on the rye/bourbon are Fee Brothers and/or Peychaud.
Some other options can be found at Browse All Bitters : Gourmet Sea Salt, Finishing Salt, Sea Salt, Gourmet Chocolate Bars, Dark Chocolate, Portland Oregon

[caleb]

Thanks for the recommendations. This is going to be a significant outing to the bottle shop!

[one60]

+1 on the Carpano... have four brothers...Carpano for the favorite, Punt E Mes for the next, Cinzano for the rest! Keep it in the fridge after opening

[Ben]

Probably 90% of my alcohol consumption takes the form of old fashioneds, no fruit. My go-to bitters is (are?) Bitter Truth aromatic bitters from Germany. They have a wonderful cinnamony thing going on like nothing else I've found.