Kicking off the week is an aperitif, to build your hunger for the rest of the week to come. If the aperitif angle doesn’t work, and you need something strong, you can also use it to make a Martini. Yes, what we’re talking about is dry vermouth, and scraping at the bottom of the barrel is Tribuno Extra Dry Vermouth.
Sight: A moderate gold color
Smell: Herbal, with a hint of rock candy sweetness. Quinine, rosemary, marjoram all come to play leading roles. Touches of grassy notes come into play as well, with hits of babies breath and spiced pome fruit.
Sip: The weight is heavy thanks to the alcohol, but the brightness is off the chart. The pome fruit notes remain slightly bitter, and lean heavily into herbal elements, with no particularly clear winner emerging.
Savor: The ending is short, and vaguely herbal, with a hint of mouth drying.
Tribuno Extra Dry Vermouth is ok, but not really going anywhere. The brightness is good, the mouth feel is ok, the flavors are generically dry vermouth. Overall, Tribuno Extra Dry Vermouth will do well as a mixer in more complicated cocktails, but isn’t really exciting on it’s own or for something more simple like a Martini. Really though, what can you expect from a Vermouth that suggest you can make a Martini with Tequila…
Verdict: Herbal, Pome, Bitter, Heavy
Rating: 70
Price: $4 – 375ml
Westfield, NY