Vya Whisper Dry Vermouth 750ml

Vya comes from Quady Winery in Madera, California, founded by Andrew and Laurel Quady almost by accident. Andrew's early career was in explosives for military countermeasures until a fire closed the plant where he worked, prompting the couple to leave Southern California and start over in winemaking after Andrew earned a graduate degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis. Years later, friends challenged Andrew to make a better vermouth, and Vya was born; Whisper Dry followed about a decade after the original Extra Dry as its gentler sibling.

Whisper Dry shares the same base botanicals as Vya Extra Dry, including balsam fir, elecampane, orris, and linden, along with Quady's own Essensia Orange Muscat, but the infusion is kept much lighter for a softer result. More than fifteen botanicals in all go into the blend, and the finished vermouth comes in at seventeen percent alcohol.

Golden straw in color, it opens with aromas of fresh cantaloupe, marzipan, and white chocolate croissant, with hints of eucalyptus and lemon. The palate is crisp and satiny, finishing with salted oregano, cassia bark, and pear. It makes an especially smooth vodka martini, or try it chilled alongside fresh melon and prosciutto.