Cucielo Vermouth Ti Torino Italia Bianco and Rosso Review
THESE ITEMS WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER'S OWN.
Reviewed by Colin Hewitt
I have a strange relationship with vermouth, you could even call me a vermouth heathen. Growing up, a dusty bottle was always lurking at the back of my parent’s drinks cabinet, expectantly shuffling forwards at Christmas, but rarely being called upon for any active duty. To me, the very mention of the word conjured up childhood memories of Leonard Rossiter and a vermouth soaked Joan Collins jetting off to sunny climes.
Apart from an occasional Old Fashioned, I’ve never been an enormous cocktail fan, preferring my spirits au-naturel, so the resurgence of classic Negroni’s, Americano’s or Manhattan’s passed me by; but not any more. My taste-buds were re-awoken when I was allowed to try two premium vermouths from Cucielo – I’ve become a born-again vermouth believer!
The brand name Cucielo is a portmanteau, combining the words cuckoo and Cielo, Italian for the sky. During its migration, a cuckoo flies the length of Italy while travelling from West Africa to Scotland. Therefore, featuring the bird acknowledges Scotland-based Artisan Spirit’s collaboration with Torino Distillati’s master blender, which has brought Cucielo vermouth’s to fruition (Torino Distillati being a distillery, dating back to 1906, based in the northwestern Italian region, Piedmont).
The beautiful Art Deco style packaging features a cuckoo in flight, and gives a gentle nod to the cocktail boom of the 1920s and ’30s,
So what is it? Basically, vermouth is an aromatised, fortified wine. A wine that has had spirits added, and then flavoured with botanicals – and Cucielo has certainly blended these two examples beautifully.
Cucielo Bianco – Sunshine in a glass!
Floral with a big hit of elderflower, and vanilla. We tried this simply combined with soda water and ice – it was delicious. It’s a highly refreshing drink which would be even lovelier accompanied by some sunny, warmer weather.
The box offers three serving suggestions. The Cucielo Cinque7 (Bianco Vermouth, Prosecco, Soda and Orange Bitters). The Piemontese (Bianco Vermouth, Dry Gin, White Bitter, and Orange Bitters), and my favourite the Cucielo Rox (only, Bianco Vermouth over ice).
If anyone fancies a culinary challenge, for a simple summer dessert, this would produce a lovely vermouth jelly – served with a few seasonal berries.
Cucielo Rosso – A warming hug in a glass!
This reminded me of delicious autumn fruits; rhubarb, plums, raisins – again with a touch of vanilla, and possibly a hint of toffee.
In addition to a variation of the Cucielo Rox, as mentioned earlier, the box has two further serving suggestions. The Cucielo Negroni (Rosso Vermouth, Dry Gin, Red Bitter and Orange Bitters); and the Flight To Manhattan (Rosso Vermouth, Bourbon or Whiskey, and Aromatic Bitters).
I tried the Flight To Manhattan with my favourite bourbon, and Angostura Bitters, it was delicious. When I don’t fancy a straight bourbon, I’ll certainly be drinking it this way in the future.
A quick note about Cucielo’s environmental impact: I’m pleased to say that all the materials used in producing Cucielo are from renewable sources. No plastic is used in packaging, even the labels used are manufactured from natural cotton paper.
Cucielo has an excellent Facebook page (simply search for Cucielo Vermouth) which contains lots of information about the company, product news, and some more cocktail suggestions.
Rating: a well deserved 5/5
RRP £25.99
CUCIELO Vermouth di Torino Bianco is available to buy from Amazon here
Cucielo Rosso is available to buy from Amazon here