Cocchi Storico Vermouth Di Torino

An intensely medicinal, beeswax and honey, burnt orange peel and caramel-scented vermouth here, at the more intense end of the spectrum to be sure. This is not a subtle mixing vermouth but the main show itself, with full, intensely sweet palate reeled in by bitterness. There’s a resemblance to malmsey madeira or sweet oloroso sherry, passing by tawny port, with unique celery seed, cinnamon, agave/tequila notes on the finish – a tour de bouche to be sure. This would mix nicely for those more smoky Manhattans, in fact anything with bourbon or rye, with a maraschino cherry to top it off. A vermouth that should be on hand in every liquor cabinet for the more sultry cocktails. Score – 90. (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com, Oct. 15, 2015)