Ransom Dry Vermouth (75cl, 18.4%)

An aromatized fortified wine from Oregon's Willamette Valley, bottled at 18.4% ABV in a 750ml format. Ransom Spirits was founded in 1997 by Tad Seestedt. The base wine blends aromatic white varietals with Pinot Noir blanc, then is fortified with alembic pot-distilled brandy produced on-site from Pacific Northwest grapes and aged in mixed French oak. Sixteen botanicals, including wormwood, rosehip, chamomile, orange peel, verbena, spearmint, star anise, cinnamon bark, coriander, cardamom, lemon peel and vanilla bean, are infused into the vermouth. The aroma is floral, with honeysuckle, neroli orange, verbena blossom and white tea, plus gentle spice. The palate is sweet-tart and herbaceous, with cucumber and basil, wormwood, baking spices, golden raisins, cardamom, citrus, apple, pear and overripe peach. The finish is long and balanced, drying through lemon peel and lemon verbena.