The most people agonize over what brand gin or vodka to use in their martini, but precious little thought tends to go into the selection of vermouth. Today I�ve done something most would deem unthinkable: Drink vermouth straight.noilly-prat-vermouth-old-bottleWhy? Because Noilly Prat, the French maker of one of the world�s best-selling brands of vermouth, is changing its recipe. Well, updating it, really: Noilly Prat is introducing its current European blend to the U.S. market, discontinuing the old American blend that�s been sold here for years (decades, maybe). The bottle design gets an update too (that�s the old one to your right, the new one is below), so you�ll be able to tell which version you�re buying as stores run out of the old stock. The new blend is scheduled to go on sale in January 2009.
How do the two compare? I definitely prefer the new, European version to the old. The original is very pale, almost clear, with a very strong bitterness overwhelming any herbal notes in the vermouth. It�s fine, but plain and unthrilling. The new version is striking in its changes but it�s still a real vermouth: It�s got a distinct, light gold color to it and hits the tongue first with some sweetness and a more pronounced herbal flavor, before then fading into a lighter bitter finish. The new Noilly Prat is quite reminiscent of Lillet Blanc and even reminded me a bit of Strega. (However, both Noilly Prat versions � tied at 36 proof � are better than Martini & Rossi dry vermouth� but of course they say you should only drink Italian vermouth if it�s sweet and stick with France for the dry.)
Of course, the true test of any dry vermouth is in a martini� and I�m happy to report the new Noilly Prat shines with either gin or vodka. Check it out!
A- / $6.50 (750ml bottle) / noillyprat.com
source : http://www.drinkhacker.com
