Martini Extra Dry Vermouth Old Version 7 Liqueur Italy 100 cl

There's something about an old Martini bottle that makes time stand still for a moment. This one has sat somewhere for decades, its label slightly faded, with an old price tag that gives away it once passed through a German border shop that still priced in Deutsche Mark.

Expert's description

Martini Extra Dry is an Italian-style vermouth, in this case bottled in France by Martini & Rossi AG, headquartered in Bad Kreuznach, built on a white wine base infused with herbs, citrus extracts and the brand's signature Florentine orris root.

The recipe first launched on New Year's Day 1900, after ten years of development by Luigi Rossi's sons, and quickly became the backbone of the cocktail that would come to define the 20th century: the Dry Martini. The orris roots are grown for three years before being sun-dried and aged further, giving the vermouth its violet-tinged, faintly bitter undertone.

This particular bottle isn't part of today's range. It's an older bottling, likely from the 1980s or 90s, sourced through a German border shop rather than an ordinary wine merchant. Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine, and like any wine it changes character over decades – so this bottle is best thought of as a piece of packaging history and a collector's curiosity rather than a drinking recommendation.

Martini & Rossi itself dates back to 1863, when the company was founded in Turin under the name Martini, Sola & Cia. Today it's one of the world's most widely distributed vermouth brands, its striped racing-flag logo later made just as famous on the Formula 1 track.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sharp citrus and a touch of raspberry sit up front, backed by a soft, herbal scent of dried orris root and a faint trace of wood.

Palate

Dry without tipping into bitterness, with a hint of lemon and subtle botanicals unfolding over a white wine base.

Finish

Short and fresh, with a lightly bitter, aromatic close where orris and herbs take the lead.

Specifications

Name: Martini Extra Dry Vermouth
Distillery: Martini & Rossi
Region/Country: France
Type: Extra Dry Vermouth
Size: 100 CL
EAN no.: 4037800113216
Serving suggestion: The classic base for a Dry Martini cocktail with gin, or served on the rocks with a slice of lemon

Flavour Profile

Dry · Citrus-forward · Herbal · Lightly bitter

Did You Know?

Martini & Rossi was originally called Martini, Sola & Cia when it was founded in Turin in 1863. The name only changed in 1879, after the Sola family sold their share of the company to the two remaining partners.

Please note: This bottle is sold as a collector's item. The quality of the contents cannot be guaranteed, and the bottle may show scratches and marks – see the photo.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Martini Extra Dry Vermouth

How old is this bottle of Martini Extra Dry?

We can't pin down an exact year from the label alone. The price sticker is in Deutsche Mark, a currency phased out in 2002, which places this bottling somewhere in the 1980s or 90s.

Is the vermouth still good to drink after all these years?

Probably not in the style it had when bottled. Vermouth is a fortified wine, and its character shifts significantly over decades – this bottle is more interesting as a collector's piece and packaging history than something to pour into a glass.

What is Extra Dry Vermouth, and how does it differ from sweet vermouth?

Extra Dry is the pale, dry style of vermouth, where citrus and herbs lead rather than caramel and spice. Sweet, red vermouth (like Martini Rosso) is sweeter and darker in both colour and flavour.

What is Martini Extra Dry Vermouth used for?

Classically as the base of a Dry Martini cocktail alongside gin, though it also works served simply on ice with a slice of lemon as a light aperitif.

Why isn't the ABV listed in the specifications?

It isn't clearly legible on this particular bottle's labels. Today's Martini Extra Dry typically sits around 15-18%, but we won't guess the figure for this older bottling.

What sets this bottling apart from today's Martini Extra Dry?

The bottling location, for one – this bottle was bottled in France by Martini & Rossi AG, while today's bottles typically come from Italy. The label design and glass shape are also noticeably older.

When was Martini Extra Dry first launched?

New Year's Day 1900, after ten years of development by founder Luigi Rossi's sons. It quickly became a fixture of the classic Dry Martini cocktail.