Axiom Brands UK is introducing the Belsazar vermouth range in the UK after their launch in Germany last year.
Made in the south of Baden at the edge of the Black Forest, there are four variants: dry, red, rosé and white, all made with wines from the South Baden region.
They have been created with up to 20 different spices, herbs, peels and blossoms, including wormwood and small-batch fruit brandies from the Schladerer Distillery.
They are finished in stoneware casks to give the ingredients time to blend while preserving their freshness, complexity and balance. They are rested for several months with constant testing until they reach the right complex flavours.
Belsazar Dry has a fruity and floral taste with a finish of bitter aromatics, suitable for classic, dry cocktails. Its ABV is 19%.
Belsazar Red combines comforting vanilla sweetness with hints of dark caramel, matured cherries and spices, suitable for dark and heavy classic cocktails. Its ABV is 18%
Belsazar Rosé is zesty with fresh and light tones of summer fruit acidity, harmonised with vermouth’s typical bitter-sweetness. With ABV of 17.5%, it is suggested for serving with ice and tonic as an alternative to a gin and tonic.
Belsazar White has full-bodied sweetness and aromas of dried peach and oranges complemented by the vermouth’s bitter tone, best used in full-bodied cocktails or fresh long drinks over ice. Its ABV is 18%.
Belsazar was founded in 2013 by Sebastian Brack and Maximilian Wagner to fill a gap in the market for a good-quality vermouth brand from Germany.
They teamed up with Philipp Schladerer of The Schladerer Distillery to develop the vermouth, using wines from Kaiserstuhl and Markgräflerland.
The use of the Schladerer fruit brandy, produced in the Black Forest since 1844, gives the vermouths an extra kick.
The name of the brand is taken from Sixtus Balthasar Schladerer who was the first in the Schladerer distillery dynasty.
