The Data

Category   Vermouth

Sub-Category   Vermouth

Origin   Milano

Retail Price   $18.99

ABV   16%

Score   4.5 Stars/Exceptional! +

In the Glass

Brilliant, crystal clear.

The nose is deep and dense with a sweet, fruity wine core with generous supporting notes of bitter herbs, cloves, allspice, orange zest, and anise.

The palate confirms the nose while possibly being more robust with a fruity, vinous core that brilliantly merges sweet Vermouth and bitters.

Wonderfully intense and full-bodied with robust and assertive fruit and bitters in one ideally balanced package.

Cool Factor

This has long been one of my favorite products as its unique flavors have no viable substitute. It's simply a classic and should be in everyone’s bar.

Value Grade

Punt e Mes offers value unsurpassed in the spirits world offering unique style and unmistakable quality.

Analysis

This has long been one of my favorite aperitifs and it has one of the best stories in the world of wine of and spirits (that's saying something). The quick version of the story is that a stockbroker enters a bar in Piedmont belonging to Antonio Benedetto Carpano. The brokers mind was still at work as he calls out for a Punt e Mes, "a point and a half," which is a traders term and not yet a drink. He was meaning to request a Vermouth with a half dose of bitters. The rest, as they say, is history.

How to Enjoy

Punt e Mes is really in need of nothing but a glass and perhaps a few ice cubes. It's great over ice with soda and an orange slice offering the perfect summer refreshment.