If you want the short answer, I reach for SCHOFIELD'S first for a Martini, ESTATE for a bright Negroni, CUNARD for a salty Dirty Martini, ROSÉ VERMOUTH for a spritz, and DISPENSE when I want more bitterness in the glass. That is the simplest way to choose.
I put SCHOFIELD'S at the front because it gives me the dry shape I want, with white flowers and citrus, and it still shows in the drink at 3:1, 2:1 or 5:1. For red styles, ESTATE is the bottle I would buy for a classic home bar, while DISPENSE, a modern British amaro, suits people who want more bitterness and more grip. Other options exist, but if you want an English bottle to start with, those are the ones I would point you to first.
Here is the whole list at a glance:
- SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth: best for Martinis and White Negronis
- ESTATE English Vermouth: best for bright Negronis and serving over ice
- DISPENSE Modern British Amaro: best for bitter-led drinks
- ROSÉ VERMOUTH: best for spritzes and tonic serves
- CUNARD Dry Vermouth: best for savoury, saline Martinis
A few points matter straight away:
- SCHOFIELD'S is listed at £26.95
- ESTATE is listed at £26.95
- CUNARD is listed at £30.95
- Asterley Bros masterclasses cost £59.50 per person
- Opened vermouth should be kept in the fridge and used within 1 to 2 months
Dry (White) Vs. Sweet (Red) Vermouth: Which Should You Use?
Quick Comparison
| Bottle | Style | Main notes | Best serve | Base wine | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHOFIELD'S | English dry | White flowers, citrus | Martini, White Negroni | English white wine | £26.95 |
| ESTATE | English sweet red | Orange, rosemary, wormwood | Negroni, over ice, tonic | English Pinot Noir | £26.95 |
| DISPENSE | Modern British amaro | Bitter, herbal, aromatic | Negroni, Americano, spritz | English Pinot Noir | £31.95 |
| ROSÉ VERMOUTH | Rosé vermouth | Rose, rhubarb, raspberry, lavender | Spritz, tonic | Italian wine base | £20.95 |
| CUNARD | Limited-edition dry | Saline, mineral, savoury | Dirty Martini | Not stated | £30.95 |
What I like here is that each bottle has a clear job. SCHOFIELD'S is the dry pick. ESTATE gives a lighter red style built on English Pinot Noir. DISPENSE is a modern British amaro rather than a sweet vermouth. ROSÉ VERMOUTH leans floral. CUNARD brings a built-in olive-brine feel without adding brine.
If you are buying just one bottle, I would start with SCHOFIELD'S for dry drinks or ESTATE for red ones. If you can try before you buy, the South London tastings are a simple way to work out what suits your glass.
1. Asterley Bros SCHOFIELD'S Dry Vermouth
The floral Martini pick
As the dry marker in this ranking, SCHOFIELD'S takes the top spot through balance, not severity. It opens on aromatic white flowers, then moves into clean, bright citrus. The style feels lighter and more floral than the classic oxidative dry vermouths, with dryness that stays firm without turning severe.
That balance is the whole point. It has the dryness, aroma and structure to hold its own against gin at low ratios, which is what matters most in a Martini.
It is also easy to work with across a range of serves. In a wetter Martini at 3:1 or 2:1, it still shows clearly. Push it to 5:1 and it keeps its shape. It also does a fine job in a White Negroni.
Made in small batches in South London, SCHOFIELD'S is fully vegan, was developed with the Schofield brothers and won Gold at the World Vermouth Awards 2021. Once opened, keep it in the fridge and drink it within one to two months.
| Feature | Asterley Bros SCHOFIELD'S Dry |
|---|---|
| Style | English Dry |
| Base | English White Wine |
| Primary Notes | White flowers, Citrus |
| Best For | Martini, White Negroni, Aperitif |
| Dietary | Vegan |
| Made In | South London, UK |
2. Asterley Bros ESTATE English Vermouth
The bright Negroni pick
ESTATE is a sweet vermouth, but it leans brighter and more aromatic than the classic caramel-heavy style. The flavour sits around orange, rosemary and wormwood, which gives it a fresher, more herbal edge. It is built on English Pinot Noir, while many vermouths in this style start with a more neutral white-wine base. That makes ESTATE the clearest red-style counterpoint to SCHOFIELD'S Dry in this ranking.
It places highly because it delivers the core character of sweet vermouth without drifting into a dark, weighty profile. You still get depth, but there is more lift and more herbal detail in the glass.
In a Negroni, it brings brightness and a herbal snap. It also drinks well over ice or topped with tonic. ESTATE won Silver at the World Vermouth Awards 2021 and costs £26.95. It suits drinkers who want a red vermouth with lift rather than weight.
| Feature | Asterley Bros ESTATE |
|---|---|
| Style | English Sweet (Red) |
| Base | English Pinot Noir |
| Primary Notes | Orange, Rosemary, Wormwood |
| Best For | Negroni, Aperitif over ice, Tonic serve |
| Dietary | Vegan |
| Made In | South London |
Next comes DISPENSE, a modern British amaro.
3. Asterley Bros DISPENSE Modern British Amaro
The bitter-led pick
DISPENSE sits a little outside the usual vermouth lane. It is a modern British amaro, so it drinks more like a bitter aperitivo than a sweet vermouth: bolder and more bitter than ESTATE. That extra bitterness gives cocktails backbone. If you want grip and intensity rather than sweetness, this is the red-style bottle to pour.
It draws on a Sicilian family recipe that came into the family in 2009, reworked with British hedgerow botanicals, blended with English Pinot Noir and made in small batches in South London. It was awarded 3 stars at Great Taste 2026.
| Feature | Asterley Bros DISPENSE |
|---|---|
| Style | Modern British Amaro |
| Primary Character | Bitter, herbal, aromatic |
| Best For | Negroni, Americano, Spritz over ice |
| Made In | South London |
| Dietary | Vegan |
If you want something softer and more fruit-led, ROSÉ VERMOUTH comes next.
4. Asterley Bros ROSÉ VERMOUTH
The floral, garden-fresh pick
After the darker, more bitter red styles above, ROSÉ VERMOUTH shifts things into a lighter, more floral gear. It’s bright and aromatic, with rose petals, rhubarb root, raspberry and lavender among its botanicals, and it was awarded 1 star at Great Taste 2026. Although it uses an Italian wine base, its English botanicals keep it in line with the rest of the range.
Serve it as a bright aperitif over tonic, ideally with rosemary or another garden herb. It also works well in a lighter Negroni, adding lift without losing shape. For a Martini, though, a dry style like SCHOFIELD'S is still the better choice.
The last bottle in the ranking moves back towards a drier, more Martini-ready style.
| Feature | Asterley Bros ROSÉ VERMOUTH |
|---|---|
| Style | Floral English rosé vermouth |
| Primary Botanicals | Rose petals, rhubarb root, raspberry, lavender |
| ABV | 15% |
| Best serve | Over tonic with rosemary or another garden herb |
| Base Wine | Italian (Bartender Series) |
| Dietary | Vegan |
5. Asterley Bros CUNARD Dry Vermouth
The savoury, maritime pick
CUNARD is a limited-edition English dry vermouth with a coastal, saline profile, commissioned by Cunard for the launch of their ship Queen Anne. Where SCHOFIELD'S leans into white flowers and citrus, CUNARD heads in a different direction: saline, mineral and savoury.
Its botanicals include dulse seaweed, which brings a savoury, salty edge, alongside lemon peel, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, rose petal and gentian.
That salty edge makes it a natural fit for a Dirty Martini without any added olive brine. It also suits a Vodka Martini, where it keeps its shape against a neutral spirit rather than fading into the background. Go with 5:1 for a drier drink, or 3:1 if you want more salinity in the mix. If your Martini taste runs savoury, this is the bottle that points the way.
If you want to see how a vermouth like this comes together, Asterley Bros' vermouth masterclasses in South London are worth a look.
| Feature | Asterley Bros CUNARD Dry Vermouth |
|---|---|
| Style | Limited-edition English dry vermouth |
| Primary Botanicals | Dulse seaweed, lemon peel, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, rose petal, gentian |
| Flavour | Savoury, saline, mineral |
| Best Serve | Dirty Martini (gin or vodka), 5:1 or 3:1 ratio |
| Price | £30.95 |
| Edition | Limited edition |
Which English Vermouth to Choose by Serve
Match the bottle to the drink. Each Asterley Bros vermouth shines in a different serve, so start with the ranking above and then pick by what you plan to pour.
For a Martini, SCHOFIELD'S Dry is the cleanest pick. It keeps its shape at a 5:1 ratio (50 ml gin to 10 ml vermouth), with a lemon twist to finish. If you want a more savoury edge, CUNARD gives that olive-brine note without adding brine itself.
For a Negroni, ESTATE English Vermouth keeps the drink bright and layered instead of heavy. Asterley Bros’ house South London Negroni is 25 ml Old Tom gin, 25 ml ESTATE, 25 ml DISPENSE and 5 ml ASTERLEY ORIGINAL, stirred for 60 seconds and finished with orange zest. For a White Negroni, SCHOFIELD'S Dry is the right bottle to reach for.
For a spritz, ROSÉ VERMOUTH is the natural choice. Serve 50 ml topped with 100 ml of prosecco and a splash of soda, then finish with fresh berries or a lemon slice.
For sipping over ice, ESTATE is the one to pour. Serve 50 ml over a large ice cube with an orange wedge or a rosemary sprig. It also works well with tonic if you want something lighter and longer.
| Serve | Recommended Bottle | Why it works | Suggested Garnish or Dilution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martini | SCHOFIELD'S Dry | Floral, bright, structured | 50 ml gin, 10 ml vermouth (5:1); lemon twist |
| White Negroni | SCHOFIELD'S Dry | Fresh, aromatic, botanical | Equal parts gin, SCHOFIELD'S Dry and white aperitivo; lemon peel |
| Negroni | ESTATE English Vermouth | Bright, complex, herbal | 25 ml Old Tom gin, 25 ml ESTATE, 25 ml DISPENSE, 5 ml ASTERLEY ORIGINAL; orange zest |
| Spritz | ROSÉ VERMOUTH | Floral, light, effervescent | 50 ml vermouth, 100 ml prosecco, splash of soda; fresh berries |
| Sipping over ice | ESTATE English Vermouth | Rich, aromatic, herbal | 50 ml over large ice; orange wedge or rosemary sprig |
| Tonic Serve | SCHOFIELD'S Dry or ROSÉ VERMOUTH | Light, crisp, botanical | 50 ml vermouth, 150 ml tonic; lemon slice or seasonal herbs |
For a closer look at the range, Asterley Bros' South London vermouth masterclasses cover how the bottles are made and how best to serve them. Next, the pros and cons break down where each bottle does well and where it comes up short.
Pros and Cons of Each Bottle
If you want the short version, this is it: each bottle has a clear upside and one thing to watch. Match the bottle to the drink, and the choice gets much easier.
SCHOFIELD'S Dry shines in Martinis and White Negronis. It brings floral lift and citrus, though that same character can swamp very delicate spirits. Give it a gin with enough weight and it settles into place.
ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth leans brighter and more aromatic than a classic rosso. That makes it a strong fit for a more modern Negroni, though it does not have the syrupy heft some people want from an Italian-style sweet vermouth.
DISPENSE is the most bitter bottle in this ranking, and also the priciest. That pushes it towards Negroni-style drinks and other bitter-led serves, rather than standard sweet-vermouth builds.
ROSÉ VERMOUTH comes into its own in summer spritzes and light serves with tonic. The trade-off is simple: because it uses an Italian wine base, it feels less English than the rest of the range.
CUNARD Dry has built-in salinity, which makes it a natural pick for Dirty Martinis. Its limit is not flavour so much as access: it is a limited edition, and the higher price narrows who will reach for it.
In practice, it comes down to style and serve.
| Bottle | Main strength | Best occasion | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCHOFIELD'S Dry | Floral and citrus-led | Classic Martini or White Negroni | Needs a gin with enough weight to match it |
| ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth | Brighter, more aromatic style | Modern Negroni or paired with British food and garden-herb garnishes | Less syrupy than traditional Italian rosso styles |
| DISPENSE | More bitter and more layered | Bitter-forward cocktails and Negroni variations | Most expensive in this ranking; too intense for standard sweet recipes |
| ROSÉ VERMOUTH | Fresh garden notes: rhubarb, raspberry, rose | Summer spritzes and light tonic serves | Italian wine base makes it less distinctly English than the rest of the range |
| CUNARD Dry | Built-in salinity and mineral finish | Dirty Martini or savoury Vesper twists | Limited-edition availability and higher price point |
Conclusion
Each bottle has a clear job. SCHOFIELD'S Dry suits Martinis and White Negronis. CUNARD Dry is the one for savoury Dirty Martinis. ESTATE works for bright Negronis. ROSÉ VERMOUTH fits tonic-led aperitifs. DISPENSE is for drinkers after a bitter, more layered red-style bottle. So the choice is simple: pick by serve, then by style.
Vermouth is wine-based, not a spirit you can leave on a shelf for months after opening. Keep it in the fridge and use it within a month or two.
If you'd rather try before you buy, Asterley Bros also runs vermouth tastings and masterclasses for £59.50 per person, which is a practical way to work out the right bottle first.
FAQs
Which vermouth should I buy first?
It depends on the cocktails you like to make.
For a classic Martini, start with SCHOFIELD'S Dry Vermouth. It is crisp, floral and led by bright citrus, so it lifts the drink rather than fading into the background. If you lean towards richer, spiced serves such as a Negroni or Manhattan, go for ESTATE Sweet Vermouth. Its bittersweet, layered profile brings more depth and weight to the glass.
Both are polished English vermouths that work across a range of drinks, not just the obvious classics. Once opened, keep the bottle in the fridge to help hold its freshness.
How do I choose between SCHOFIELD'S and CUNARD?
Choose the bottle that suits the Martini you want to drink. SCHOFIELD'S is a bright, floral English dry vermouth with notes of rose, cardamom and citrus, finishing clean and crisp in the glass.
CUNARD is a limited-edition dry vermouth made with dulse seaweed among its botanicals. It leans more saline and mineral, so if you like a Martini with that natural salty edge, CUNARD is the better pick.
Can I drink English vermouth on its own?
Yes. English vermouth stands up well on its own as a low-strength aperitif, served well chilled or over ice with a twist.
Both sweet and dry styles are made to be enjoyed neat, and they also take well to tonic for a light, refreshing long drink.