Today we focus on Imbue and Vya, two bottles of vermouth/fortified wine that you can find online for around $25.

So, you say you don’t like vermouth? You find it doesn’t bring anything to a cocktail but a fortified wine after-taste? Or, perhaps you like your vermouth-based cocktails and don’t mind spending the $3 on a bottle of vermouth. In either case, there is something to be said for upping your game and perhaps buying a better bottle of vermouth.

Unlike a rare fine spirit, you don’t have to break the bank to get a better bottle of vermouth. True, the bottles are fairly large and the fridge life is roughly 5-weeks of “freshness”, if you’re big into vermouth cocktails you really should consider getting big into a quality bottle of vermouth. For everyone else, there is still value in making a much better cocktail, especially for parties.

We sat down and did a straight testing of Imbue “Petal and Thorn” along side Vya vermouth and compare that to a basic bottle of $3 Noilly Prat. Of course, when you take a $25 bottle of vermouth compared to a typical bottle of Noilly Prat at about $9 for a liter, you expect quality to be much different. You get what you pay for right? Than why do you continually pay for cheap bottles of vermouth when better bottles exist?

The answer is probably simple: you didn’t know they existed. Like me, you go on through your days hitting up the local store and buying one of those big ass bottles that they put next to the liquor and checkout. You didn’t do your research on Vya or Imbue because you never knew it was on the market nor did you know what it would taste like but there is still time to change. The Vya product brings a higher end quality to your vermouth in overall earthy aroma and complex flavor along side a fresh crisp finish that still dry’s your mouth out without massive alcohol-bite and a malty sour apple tartness. Just a crisp clean palatable consistency that has the mouth-feel of a wine without the cheap chardonnay taste.

The Imbue product was a bit different as it brought that dry appeal of a dry vermouth, the mouth feel of a wine yet finished with a quinine bite that reminded us quickly of a tonic water. Many folks pair tonic with gin but far few consider paring Imbue with gin because, again, they didn’t know it existed nor what it may do to impact your cocktail. Unlike tonic, Imbue is going to bring a heavier flavor and a more weighty consistency yet still give you the quinine sensation in the finishing. Very interesting.

They also say “good cocktails are made with good ingredients” yet everyday people are pouring low grade vermouth into their martini’s and shake their head saying, “wow, this is a good drink” (or not.) Those, like myself, whom have been creating cocktails with crappy vermouth have been turned off to that style of drink because of the taste and after-taste left when the sip is complete. I challenge you, however, to go by the “good cocktails are made with good ingredients” statement with your vermouth-based drinks and re-apply that logic on a classic cocktail. You may be surprised with what you find!

Checkout Vya and/or Imbue and then let us know what you think!