Belsazar Vermouth Red Germany 18%

As autumn settles over the Black Forest and the last berries on the branches turn darker and sweeter, the mood Belsazar Red tries to capture in the glass takes shape. It is the most complex and spiced member of the German vermouth family, heavy with berries, wood and spice.

Expert's Description

Belsazar Vermouth Red Germany is a German Red Vermouth at 18%, created by Maximilian Wagner and Sebastian Brack, who founded Belsazar in Berlin in 2013. The name pays tribute to Sixtus Balthasar Schladerer, founder of the family-run distillery in Staufen im Breisgau in the Black Forest.

The base wine comes from the South Baden wine districts of Markgraeflerland and Kaiserstuhl and is fortified with Schladerer's own fruit brandy. Twenty botanicals, including wormwood, clove, cinnamon and liquorice root, are infused individually and then matured together in stoneware vessels for up to three months.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla, jammy red berries, biscuit and dried fruit meet plum, pine and earthy liquorice with potpourri, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon spice.

Palate

Bittersweet, with raspberry, strawberry and plum jam alongside liquorice, vanilla, orange peel, chocolate, clove and cinnamon spice.

Finish

Bark, jammy fruit and tannins with clove spice and a lingering bittersweetness.

Specifications

Distillery: Belsazar
Region/Country: Baden, Black Forest, Germany
Type: German Red Vermouth
ABV: 18%
Size: 75 cl
EAN: 4260370120029
Serving suggestion: Over ice with a slice of orange, or as the base of a Negroni or Americano

Flavour Profile

Vanilla · Dark berries · Liquorice · Clove · Bitter chocolate

Did you know?

Belsazar's vermouths are not matured in wood, but in stoneware vessels for up to three months, preserving the pure aromas of the botanicals without any influence from wood.

See our full range of Belsazar Vermouth

Frequently Asked Questions about Belsazar Vermouth Red

What does Belsazar Vermouth Red taste like?

Belsazar Vermouth Red is bittersweet with vanilla, jammy red berries, liquorice, orange peel, dark chocolate and warm festive spices such as clove and cinnamon.

How strong is Belsazar Vermouth Red?

The vermouth has an alcohol content of 18%.

What is the best way to serve Belsazar Vermouth Red?

It is best enjoyed over ice with a slice of orange, or as the base of classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Americano.

Can Belsazar Vermouth Red replace Italian red vermouth in cocktails?

Yes, its bittersweet, spiced profile works well in classic recipes that typically call for red vermouth.

Who is behind Belsazar Vermouth?

Belsazar was founded in Berlin in 2013 by Maximilian Wagner and Sebastian Brack, in collaboration with the Schladerer distillery in the Black Forest.

What gives Belsazar Vermouth Red its dark colour?

The colour comes from the composition of botanicals and maturation in stoneware, not from added caramel colouring.

How long does Belsazar Vermouth Red keep after opening?

The bottle should be stored cool and dark after opening and enjoyed within a few weeks for the best flavour experience.