Carpano Punt e Mes is a classic Italian bittersweet red vermouth created in Turin in 1870. The name means “a point and a half” in Piedmontese dialect, referring to its original concept of Carpano vermouth with an additional half measure of bitter cinchona (quina). It is bottled at 16% ABV and sits stylistically between traditional sweet vermouth and an amaro, with aromas of herbs, cinchona and clove, followed by bitter orange, dark fruit, caramel/toffee, spice and a pronounced bittersweet finish. Punt e Mes is particularly prized by bartenders because its extra bitterness and intensity stand up beautifully to whiskey and gin, making it an excellent choice for a Manhattan, Negroni, Boulevardier or Milano-Torino, while traditionally it can simply be served chilled or over ice with orange peel. It remains one of the most distinctive historic vermouths in the Carpano portfolio and received a Silver Medal at the 2026 IWSC.
16% ABV • Turin, Italy • Sweet Vermouth + Cinchona Bitterness • Created 1870
