Asterley Bros is redefining vermouth in the UK, blending Italian techniques with British ingredients to create premium spirits. Their South London-based operation focuses on crafting vermouths using English wines and botanicals like elderflower, rosemary and rose petals. Botanicals are macerated in spirit and then blended with the wine, in small batches. Their two standout products are:
- ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth: Made with English Pinot Noir, featuring 34 botanicals like orange and rosemary. Perfect for Negronis or served over ice (£26.95 for 50cl).
- SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth: A lighter style with 28 botanicals, including rose and cardamom. Ideal for Martinis or spritzes (£26.95 for 50cl).
Asterley Bros also offers vermouth masterclasses and a Negroni Society subscription (£14.50 a month plus postage).
How to make vermouth at home (Recipe from the best bartender in Portugal)
Ingredients and Botanicals: Core Components of Asterley Bros Vermouth
Crafting exceptional vermouth starts with meticulously selected and blended ingredients. At Asterley Bros, this principle shapes every step of their process, from the choice of an English wine base to the carefully curated botanical blends that define their unique styles. By focusing on British ingredients, they create vermouths that are unmistakably English, while delivering the complexity expected from a premium fortified wine.
British Botanicals
Asterley Bros combines traditional techniques with flavours that showcase the best of England. Their ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth features an impressive 34 botanicals, while SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth is built around a refined selection of 28 botanicals. This extensive range of ingredients ensures depth and complexity in every sip.
For the ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth, key botanicals include orange, rosemary, and wormwood. The orange brings bright citrus notes, rosemary contributes a fragrant, piney aroma, and wormwood provides the essential bitter finish that defines vermouth.
SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth leans towards a lighter, aromatic profile, with rose petals and cardamom taking centre stage, alongside citrus and herbs. The rose adds a subtle floral note, while cardamom introduces a warm spice that complements the crisp white wine base. Together, these botanicals create a versatile dry vermouth, perfect for modern cocktails.
Each botanical is carefully treated to ensure it fully integrates with the wine base, preserving its unique character. This small-batch approach highlights the natural synergy between the botanicals and the wine.
The Wine Base: Building Quality from the Start
The wine base is the foundation of Asterley Bros vermouth, adding depth and reinforcing its character. Their commitment to English viticulture is evident in the choice of grapes. For the ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth, Pinot Noir from Gusbourne in Kent is used. This grape brings a rich, fruit-forward profile that perfectly complements the complex botanical blend.
For SCHOFIELD'S, their dry vermouth, a blend of English white wines is selected for its aromatic qualities and crisp acidity, adding freshness and balance to the base.
Here’s a quick comparison of the wine bases, botanical counts, and flavour profiles:
| Product | Wine Base | Number of Botanicals | Key Flavour Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth | Pinot Noir (Kent) | 34 | Orange, rosemary, wormwood |
| SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth | A blend of English white wines | 28 | Rose, cardamom, citrus, herbs |
The choice of wine base directly impacts the acidity, body, and overall character of each vermouth. Pinot Noir provides a robust and fruit-driven base for the sweet vermouth, while the English white wines bring a refreshing vibrancy to the dry style. This seamless integration of wine and botanicals is what makes Asterley Bros vermouths so distinctive.
Their use of British botanicals and English wines has also won awards: SCHOFIELD'S took Gold and ESTATE Silver at the World Vermouth Awards 2021, and ESTATE earned 2 stars at Great Taste 2026. The aim is vermouths that are proudly English yet deliver quality on an international stage.
Production Process: How Asterley Bros Makes Vermouth
Using a carefully chosen wine base and a meticulous selection of botanicals, Asterley Bros crafts their vermouth through a gradual production process. This extended timeline allows flavours to fully develop, creating the complex profiles that define their artisanal vermouths.
Maceration, Infusion, and Blending Methods
The journey begins with maceration, where botanicals are steeped in spirit to draw out their flavours before the extract is blended with the wine base. For the ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth, ingredients like orange, rosemary, and wormwood are macerated for 21 days at 75% ABV to create a balanced flavour profile. On the other hand, SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth uses botanicals such as rose and cardamom, macerated at 40% ABV.
The key to this stage lies in controlling the maceration process to protect volatile compounds while ensuring the botanical extracts blend seamlessly with the wine base. This combination of precision and care results in a refined and consistent flavour profile. Once the infusion and blending are complete, the focus shifts to preserving these flavours through advanced quality control measures.
Quality Control and Bottling
The final production stages are fining, filtration and bottling, and the two vermouths are handled differently:
| Stage | ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth | SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth |
|---|---|---|
| Maceration | 21 days at 75% ABV | At 40% ABV |
| Fining and filtration | Bentonite-fined | Not fined; non-chill filtered to 1 micron |
| Strength | 16% ABV | 16% ABV |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes |
Once filtered, the vermouth is bottled in small batches at their South London facility, staying true to the handcrafted ethos of Asterley Bros. Rigorous quality control is maintained throughout, ensuring that only vermouths meeting their exacting standards make it to consumers.
Asterley Bros Vermouth Products
Asterley Bros makes a sweet and a dry English vermouth, alongside ROSÉ VERMOUTH and the limited-edition CUNARD. The two below each highlight the rich potential of English botanical spirits. These creations reflect the careful craftsmanship and dedication to quality that define their approach.
ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth
The ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth reimagines the traditional Italian rosso style with a distinctly English character. Made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from the Gusbourne in Kent, it’s infused with a blend of botanicals like orange, rosemary, and wormwood, grounding it firmly in English terroir. This vermouth delivers a rich and layered profile: bright citrus notes, delicate tannins and herbal undertones, all balanced by a classic bitter finish and a touch of demerara sweetness to enhance the botanicals. It’s a versatile addition to any bar, perfect for timeless cocktails like the Negroni and Manhattan or simply served neat over ice. Priced at £26.95 for a 50cl bottle, it is 16% ABV, lower in sugar than many sweet vermouths and, like the whole range, vegan.
SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth
SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth offers a fresh British interpretation of the dry style. Created in collaboration with acclaimed bartenders Joe and Daniel Schofield, this vermouth is built on a blend of English white wines, enhanced with botanicals such as rose and cardamom. The result is a delicate yet complex drink, combining floral aromas with a warming spice. Its versatility shines in classic Martinis, refreshing aperitifs with tonic, or as a spritz with soda and citrus. Like its counterpart, it’s priced at £26.95 for a 50cl bottle and bottled at 16% ABV.
To enjoy these vermouths at their best, serve them well-chilled. Keep them refrigerated after opening and consume within a month. For serving, use a rocks glass for ESTATE and a Martini or highball glass for SCHOFIELD'S.
Asterley Bros Experiences and Services
Once you've dived into the intricate production process, Asterley Bros invites you to explore how they bring their craft to life for enthusiasts. Staying true to their dedication to fine craftsmanship, Asterley Bros offers hands-on experiences that showcase the artistry behind their English vermouth. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the world of aperitivo culture while understanding the story behind each bottle.
Vermouth Masterclasses
The Welcome to Vermouth masterclass (£59.50) is your opportunity to step into the world of vermouth-making at Asterley Bros' own production space. Hosted at 5 Orchard Business Centre, London SE26 5AQ, these sessions are held on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons, offering an intimate look at the craft.
Participants taste the full range and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the vermouth is made. The experience doesn’t stop there: guests can savour aperitivo cocktails with nibbles. To top it off, each attendee takes home a bottle of English vermouth (RRP £26.95), blending education with a keepsake to relive the experience.
The Negroni Society
For fans of the classic Negroni, the Negroni Society is a subscription club that celebrates this iconic cocktail. For just £14.50 a month plus postage, members receive a new Negroni recipe every month, crafted by the best bars and bartenders, with two Negronis in each delivery, straight to their doorstep.
Deliveries go out on the 10th by Royal Mail, the membership card arrives with the first one, and you can cancel any time; 6- and 12-month plans save 5% and 10%. It’s a delightful way to explore the versatility of the cocktail while enjoying premium craftsmanship in every sip.
Garnishes and Gifts
Elevate your cocktail-making at home with AROMATS, Asterley Bros’ liquid cocktail garnishes in three aromatic flavours (£19.95). They add a finishing aromatic touch, and with good glassware and proper cocktail tools, your drinks will be served and prepared just as they should be.
If you’re searching for the perfect gift, Asterley Bros offers gift cards that can be spent on its drinks, masterclasses and Negroni Society memberships, a thoughtful choice for any cocktail lover.
Conclusion: English Vermouth Craftsmanship
Asterley Bros has carved out a prominent place in the world of English vermouth, blending time-honoured traditions with a fresh, modern approach. By championing their ethos of creating "ITALIAN SPIRITS WITH AN ENGLISH TWIST" (Asterley Bros), they've reshaped expectations for British botanical spirits, setting a high standard for artisanal vermouth in the UK.
The results speak volumes. Their vermouths are crafted using a rich variety of botanicals, showcasing their dedication to creating complex, locally influenced flavours. This thoughtful use of botanicals highlights their commitment to celebrating British terroir and delivering a distinct sensory experience.
This philosophy is evident in everything they produce, from SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth to the ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth, and it resonates with drinkers who value craft made with care and transparency: Asterley Bros publishes the botanical lists on its product pages.
But their impact goes beyond crafting exceptional vermouth. Asterley Bros has built a community of enthusiasts through their educational offerings and subscription services, fostering a deeper appreciation for vermouth and its versatility.
Their focus on English wines and British botanicals aligns seamlessly with growing trends in the UK craft drinks industry. At the same time, their pricing (£26.95 for a 500ml bottle of ESTATE or SCHOFIELD'S) strikes a balance between premium quality and accessibility, making their vermouths an attainable luxury for those seeking something special.
Asterley Bros demonstrates that combining tradition with a modern twist can produce something truly distinctive. Their ability to honour heritage while embracing innovation has firmly established them as a leading light in the world of English vermouth.
FAQs
What gives Asterley Bros' vermouth its uniquely English character?
Asterley Bros crafts their vermouth with a distinctly English twist, blending time-honoured techniques with flavours inspired by local ingredients. Using English wine bases and botanicals such as English hops, they reimagine classic vermouth profiles with a modern edge.
The result? A meticulously handcrafted spirit that embodies English craftsmanship while honouring the traditional essence of vermouth. It’s a true celebration of local produce and creative methods, offering a flavour that’s unmistakably their own.
How is Asterley Bros vermouth fined and filtered?
ESTATE is fined with bentonite, while SCHOFIELD'S is not fined at all: it is non-chill filtered to 1 micron. Both start the same way, with botanicals macerated in spirit and then blended with English wine, and both are vegan.
What can I expect from an Asterley Bros vermouth masterclass?
At an Asterley Bros vermouth masterclass, you’ll dive into the world of aperitivo with a hands-on and engaging experience. Hosted at their South London production space, these sessions take place on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. During the event, you’ll get to taste their complete range of botanical spirits, sip on delightful aperitivo cocktails, enjoy some tasty nibbles, and uncover the intricate process behind crafting vermouth.
As an added perk, every participant leaves with a bottle of their award-winning English vermouth (RRP £26.95), ensuring the experience is not only informative but also something you can savour at home.