VERMOUTH, WISCO STYLE. Lasdon Vermouth has garnered high acclaim in the craft liquor game since it first released its original product in November 2021, and its co-founder is a Chippewa Valley native. (Image from Lasdon Vermouth's website)

You may have heard about Lasdon Vermouth in Forbes or various Milwaukee publications, but if not, let us introduce you to the innovative game-changer in the cocktail world. 

There are craft liquors galore across the nation, and quite the roundup of Wisco-made spirits too, but Lasdon Vermouth has created a product that tackles an otherwise difficult issue for vermouth drinkers to overcome: the dreaded shelf life and expiration. 

Eau Claire native and co-founder of Lasdon Vermouth, Ben Proctor, said he and co-founder Eric Berg did two years of research before even lifting Lasdon off the ground. As vermouth drinkers themselves, the limited shelf life of it was a consistent issue they noted.

“It’s not uncommon to have an old bottle of vermouth in a home bar cabinet because people often use only a small amount in each cocktail,” Proctor explained. “But vermouth is a fortified wine. While the alcohol percentage is higher than wine, it’s lower than spirits such as vodka, gin, or whiskey. Like wine, an opened bottle of vermouth can oxidize over time, which will change its flavor.” 

Ben Proctor (left) and Eric Berg (right), co-founders of Lasdon Vermouth. (Submitted photo)

Proctor said it’s noticeable how a freshly opened bottle of vermouth tastes much better than one that’s sat around for several weeks, let alone months. Lasdon Vermouth’s six-packs of 60ml mini bottles of vermouth solve that issue, and do it with Wisco flavor and style. 

Both Proctor and Berg grew up and live in Wisconsin, each with generations of roots in the state. “To the extent we could work with other Wisconsin-based businesses and use Wisconsin ingredients, we wanted to do that,” Proctor said. 

The duo visited various Wisco wineries on the hunt for the right base for their vermouth, happily landing on a La Crosse variety that had a pleasant neutral flavor they could work off of. Brandy is added, alongside a mix of herbs and botanicals, all intertwining to create Lasdon Vermouth. 

“We’ve had the opportunity to work with some great Wisconsin businesses and I’ve learned a lot,” Proctor said. “We have also heard from people around the country who read (various) articles (about Lasdon Vermouth) and want to know where they can find our product. It’s great to see that kind of enthusiasm.”

And that enthusiasm is likely going to skyrocket with Lasdon Vermouth’s sophomore variety of vermouth – a sweet vermouth. Proctor shared Lasdon Vermouth hopes to have its sweet vermouth, also sold in six-packs, ready by the end of the year.

Their current staple, the original Lasdon Vermouth, is sold in both six-packs of 60ml bottles and 750ml bottles, which are more practical for restaurant and bar use. Lasdon is available at retailers around the state, including at The Coffee Grounds in Eau Claire.

(Submitted photo)

Find a list of retailers who sell Lasdon Vermouth on the brand’s website, and keep up with them on Facebook.