PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Carpano Antica Formula is a luxuriously rich and aromatic sweet vermouth — deeply complex, opulent, and indispensable for classic cocktails or refined sipping. With its layered blend of herbs, dried fruit, vanilla, and balanced bitterness, it delivers elegance, depth, and a timeless character that redefines what vermouth can be. 375 ml "half bottle."
Carpano Antica Formula traces its heritage to a recipe created in 1786 in Turin, Italy — widely regarded as the first commercial vermouth. Crafted using a base of high-quality white wine, fortified and infused with a secret blend of botanicals, herbs, and spices, it’s then aged carefully, often in oak casks, to allow full integration of flavors and a rich, velvety texture.
The formula emphasizes Mediterranean botanicals, carefully selected herbs, dried fruits, citrus peels, bitter roots, and natural vanilla. This complex botanical mix, combined with slow maturation, results in a vermouth with remarkable aromatic depth and balance — sweet yet bitter, floral yet spicy, rich yet refined.
Bottled at a modest 16.5% ABV, Antica Formula is potent enough to hold its own in mixed drinks but smooth enough for straight sipping on ice.
Among bartenders, mixologists, and spirits critics, Carpano Antica Formula is frequently praised as a gold standard for sweet vermouth. Common accolades include:
“The definitive sweet vermouth” — recognized for its unmatched complexity and balance.
“An essential building block for classic cocktails such as the Negroni, Manhattan, and Boulevardier,” delivering depth and richness that simpler vermouths can’t approach.
“Exceptionally versatile” — equally effective when enjoyed neat or on the rocks, or when used to elevate cocktails with botanical depth and aromatic sophistication.
“A rare vermouth with serious aging and old-world heritage,” offering a level of richness and richness more akin to fine fortified wines or aged spirits.
It is widely regarded as a benchmark vermouth for serious cocktail crafting and heartfelt sipping alike.
Nose:
Intensely aromatic and inviting. Notes of sweet red fruit (cherry, raisin), dried orange peel, vanilla bean, and warm baking spices rise first. Underneath, herbal whispers — wormwood, gentian, and various Mediterranean herbs — swirl with hints of caramel, cedar, and soft wine-driven fruitiness.
Palate:
Full, lush, and multifaceted. Rich flavors of dried fig, raisin, candied orange peel, caramel, and dark cherry blend with herbal bitterness and soft botanical spice. Vanilla, light cocoa, and toasted oak nuance support the sweetness, while a gentle bitterness keeps the profile balanced and sophisticated.
Finish:
Long, smooth, and bittersweet. Dried fruit, soft oak, gentle botanical bitterness, and a final wave of spice and vanilla linger gracefully. The finish is elegant, complex, and inviting another sip.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| ABV / Proof | 16.5% ABV |
| Origin / Region | Turin / Piedmont, Italy |
| Production or Base Type | Fortified wine enriched with a complex botanical blend (herbs, roots, dried fruit, citrus peel) |
| Aging or Maturation | Rested to allow botanical infusion and integration of flavors (often oak-influenced) |
| Aromas & Flavors | Dark fruits, candied citrus, vanilla, caramel, herbs, bittersweet spice, oak, dried fruit |
| Style / Identity | Premium sweet vermouth — rich, complex, versatile for cocktails or sipping |
Classic Negroni — equal parts gin, Carpano Antica Formula, and Campari.
Boulevardier — bourbon or rye + Carpano Antica + Campari, stirred and served neat.
Manhattan (Sweet) — rye or bourbon + Carpano Antica + a dash of bitters, stirred and garnished with a cherry.
Vermouth on Ice — over a large ice cube with a twist of orange peel, as an elegant aperitif.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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