Carpano Punt e Mes (75cl, 16%)

Punt e Mes is a sweet vermouth with a pronounced bitter side, made by Carpano in Turin and bottled at 16%. The name is Piedmontese for "point and a half", and it sits between a vermouth and an amaro. Its colour is a deep, almost opaque mahogany with amber streaks. On the nose there is cherry, dried fig, cocoa and bitter orange. The palate is bittersweet, with caramel, dark berry, gentian and quinine. The finish is long and dry, with cocoa, herbs and bitter orange. It can replace sweet vermouth in a Negroni, or be served over ice with an orange twist.