Description and Reviews:
This historic bottling of Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, dating from circa 1965–1975, is a rare and evocative piece of Italian aperitivo history. With its wax-sealed top and intricate monochrome scrollwork label, it represents the luxurious mid-20th-century revival of the original 1786 recipe created by Antonio Benedetto Carpano in Torino.
On the nose and palate, the vermouth is dense, rich, and layered, offering aromas of vanilla, cocoa, dried figs, raisins, and alpine herbs. The signature bitterness of wormwood provides structure, balancing the natural sweetness and giving the vermouth a velvety, lingering finish. Compared to standard rosso vermouths of the era, Antica Formula was crafted to be fuller-bodied and far more complex, designed for both sipping neat and elevating cocktails.
The period between the 1960s and 1970s marked a significant era for Carpano, when Antica Formula was positioned as their prestige bottling—an artisanal answer to the increasingly industrial production of vermouth across Italy. It stood as a symbol of authenticity and heritage, proudly carrying the historic “Via Mazzini 8, Torino” address before later modernisations in the late 1970s.
Today, bottles from this era are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. They not only capture the elegance of Italian spirits culture but also serve as a living link to the golden age of Vermouth di Torino. A piece such as this offers both historical value and the chance to experience one of the world’s great fortified wines in its most authentic form.
Condition Report:
Good conditions
Bottle size:
100cl
ABV:
18
Drink Type:
Sweet Wine, Italian
Stock:
1 In Stock
Price:
£149.00 inc UK VAT (where applicable) *
* excludes delivery (free standard UK delivery on orders over £100)
