Esquimalt - Dry Vermouth

Victoria-made dry vermouth that earns a place at the table beyond the cocktail shaker. Chill it and pour it straight alongside oysters or a charcuterie spread, the herbal bitterness and bright acidity do the same work a crisp white would, just with more character.

Esquimalt is a small Canadian vermouth producer based in Victoria, British Columbia, drawing on the Pacific Northwest's botanical landscape to craft their vermouths.

Their Dry Vermouth is made using a base of BC wine that is then fortified and infused with a blend of local and classic vermouth botanicals, resulting in a style that sits comfortably alongside French and Italian dry vermouths while carrying a distinctly regional character.

The 500ml format reflects its positioning as a craft product meant to be used fresh, which is worth noting because vermouth, being wine-based, benefits from refrigeration after opening and is best consumed within a few weeks.

Dry vermouth at this quality level works well as a component in classic cocktails such as the Martini or Dry Manhattan, where its herbal and floral complexity can genuinely contribute rather than simply dilute.

It also holds up well on its own over ice with a twist of lemon or alongside olives as a low-alcohol aperitif. For customers who have been using large commercial dry vermouths primarily as a background ingredient, this bottle offers a reason to reconsider how much vermouth goes into the glass.

79 for 500ml it represents solid value for a Canadian craft product with genuine local identity.