Carpano Punt E Mes Sweet Vermouth

Carpano Punt e Mes, a classic Italian vermouth, hails from Turin, where Antonio Benedetto Carpano is credited with inventing the vermouth category in 1786. While Carpano's original vermouth formula was established then, the specific Punt e Mes ("point and a half" in Piedmontese) variation came about in 1870. Legend has it that a stockbroker in Carpano's bar ordered his usual Carpano vermouth with an added half measure of bitter, reflecting a stock market increase of one and a half points. The Carpano brand is renowned for its historic role in vermouth production and Punt e Mes, with its distinctive balance of sweetness and bitterness derived from citrus and quina, quickly became a beloved aperitif and a versatile cocktail ingredient. The Fratelli Branca Distillerie acquired Carpano in 2001, continuing its legacy of quality.

Carpano Punt e Mes offers a compelling bittersweet character, a delightful dance of rich, dark fruit sweetness giving way to a distinct, pleasant bitterness. This unique profile makes it a standout in cocktails like a Manhattan, where it adds complexity, or a Negroni, lending its signature assertive edge.

With Carpano Punt E Mes, you'll notice herbaceous, dark cherry, and orange peel aromas. The first sip is rich and bittersweet, revealing plum, fig, and licorice notes that mingle with a distinct quinine character. It finishes long and warming, with a pleasant bitterness reminiscent of dark chocolate and lingering herbal hints.