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, cacao, and rose petals. With a three-month production process and dynamic crossflow filtration, they ensure high-quality results. Their two standout products are:
- Estate English Sweet Vermouth: Made with Pinot Noir, featuring 31 botanicals like orange and rosemary. Perfect for Negronis or served over ice (£25.95 for 50cl).
- Schofield's English Dry Vermouth: A lighter style with 28 botanicals, including rose and cardamom. Ideal for Martinis or spritzes (£25.95 for 50cl).
Asterley Bros also offers vermouth masterclasses and a Negroni Society subscription (£14.50/month). Their approach has earned them consistent 5.0/5.0 ratings, making them a leader in English vermouth production.
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 31 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, cacao, rosemary, and wormwood. The orange brings bright citrus notes, cacao adds a layer of richness, 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 the Gusbourne Estate in Kent is used. This grape brings a rich, fruit-forward profile that perfectly complements the complex botanical blend.
For their dry vermouths, Bacchus and Seyval Blanc grapes are selected for their aromatic qualities and crisp acidity. Bacchus, a grape well-suited to English vineyards, provides vibrant flavours, while Seyval Blanc adds freshness and balance to the white wine 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) | 31 | Orange, cacao, rosemary, wormwood |
| Schofield's English Dry Vermouth | English white wine (Bacchus, Seyval Blanc) | 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 Bacchus and Seyval Blanc bring a refreshing vibrancy to the dry style. This seamless integration of wine and botanicals is what makes Asterley Bros vermouths so distinctive.
Their innovative use of British botanicals and English wines has earned widespread recognition, with industry experts applauding their approach to modern vermouth production. Asterley Bros has set a new benchmark for crafting 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 the wine base to infuse their flavours. For the Estate English Sweet Vermouth, ingredients like orange, cacao, rosemary, and wormwood are used to create a balanced flavour profile. On the other hand, Schofield's English Dry Vermouth uses botanicals such as rose and cardamom, with a shorter maceration period to preserve their delicate aromas.
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 stage involves precision filtration, where Asterley Bros employs dynamic crossflow filtration. This modern technique offers several advantages compared to traditional filtration methods:
| Method | Conventional Filtration | Dynamic Crossflow Filtration |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | High | Low |
| Maintenance | Frequent | Minimal |
| Oxidation Risk | Higher | Minimal |
| Clarity Consistency | Variable | High |
| Flavour Preservation | Can strip flavours | Protects delicate aromas |
Dynamic crossflow filtration minimises oxidation and ensures the vermouth retains its subtle aromatic qualities. 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.
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Asterley Bros Vermouth Products
Asterley Bros offers two distinct vermouths, each highlighting 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 Estate in Kent, it’s infused with a blend of botanicals like orange, cacao, rosemary, and wormwood, grounding it firmly in English terroir. This vermouth delivers a rich and layered profile – bright citrus notes, a chocolatey depth, and herbal undertones, all balanced by a classic bitter finish and a touch of 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 £25.95 for a 50cl bottle, it boasts a stellar 5.0 out of 5.0 rating from 51 customer reviews.
Schofield's English Dry Vermouth
Schofield's English Dry Vermouth offers a fresh British interpretation of the bianco style. Created in collaboration with acclaimed bartenders Joe and Daniel Schofield, this vermouth is built on a foundation of English white wine and grape spirit, 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 £25.95 for a 50cl bottle and has also achieved a flawless 5.0 out of 5.0 rating, based on 30 customer reviews.
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 the Estate and a Martini or highball glass for the Dry.
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 London 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 Aperitivo Masterclass is your opportunity to step into the world of vermouth-making at Asterley Bros' own facility. Hosted at Keynote Studios in London SE23 1AT, these sessions are held on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons, offering an intimate look at the craft.
Participants are guided through the production process with tastings and a detailed tour of the facility, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into vermouth craftsmanship. The experience doesn’t stop there - guests can savour aperitivo cocktails paired with perfectly matched nibbles. To top it off, each attendee takes home a bottle, 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 per month, members receive two expertly crafted Negronis delivered straight to their doorstep. Each drink is created in collaboration with renowned bars and bartenders from around the world.
What makes this subscription special is its seasonal twist. The Society introduces variations like White Negronis in spring or Mezcal Negronis in November, showcasing how Asterley Bros’ vermouths adapt to the changing seasons. It’s a delightful way to explore the versatility of the cocktail while enjoying premium craftsmanship in every sip.
Barware and Merchandise
Elevate your cocktail-making at home with Asterley Bros’ exclusive range of barware and merchandise. Their collection includes glassware designed to highlight the delicate aromas and flavours of their vermouths, professional-grade cocktail tools, and stylishly curated gift sets. These items not only add a touch of elegance to your home bar but also ensure that cocktails are served and prepared just as they should be.
If you’re searching for the perfect gift, Asterley Bros offers gift vouchers. These can be used for their products or experiences, including the masterclasses and Negroni Society memberships, making them 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. With perfect 5.0/5.0 ratings across their range - from Schofield's English Dry Vermouth with 30 reviews to the Estate English Sweet Vermouth with 51 reviews - Asterley Bros has consistently delivered quality that resonates with consumers who value craft spirits made with care and transparency.
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 locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices aligns seamlessly with growing trends in the UK craft spirits industry. At the same time, their pricing - £25–£30 for a 500ml bottle - 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 carefully chosen botanicals grown in Britain, 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.
What role does dynamic crossflow filtration play in refining Asterley Bros vermouth?
Dynamic crossflow filtration plays an important role in maintaining the clarity and quality of Asterley Bros vermouth. This precise technique eliminates impurities while safeguarding the intricate balance of flavours from the botanicals. Thanks to this method, Asterley Bros creates a smooth and polished finish, elevating the enjoyment of their carefully crafted English vermouth.
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 (worth £24.95), ensuring the experience is not only informative but also something you can savour at home.