Lustau Dry Vermouth and Duché de Longueville Cider Review

We tasted two very different bottles: Lustau Dry Vermouth from Spain and Duché de Longueville cider from Normandy. One is a dry, saline vermouth designed for aperitif drinking and cocktails; the other is an apple-driven French cider. What they have in common is that both lean more toward crisp, structured flavor than outright sweetness.

Lustau Dry Vermouth

Lustau Dry Vermouth is made from Manzanilla from Sanlúcar de Barrameda and remains part of Lustau’s current vermouth range. Lustau describes it as dry, fresh and slightly saline, with herbaceous, citrus and almond-like notes.

That description matches why it stood out when we tasted it. It is not a soft or candy-like vermouth. The appeal is the combination of herbs, bitterness, salinity and a clean finish.

How Lustau Dry Vermouth Tastes

The profile is bright and savory rather than fruity-sweet. We picked up the herbal character first, followed by a briny edge and a nutty finish. It works particularly well if you prefer vermouth that contributes structure instead of disappearing behind the base spirit.

Lustau currently lists it at 15% ABV and positions it for drinks such as a Dry Martini, Dirty Martini, Reverse Martini or Bamboo. It can also be served over ice with an olive.

Duché de Longueville Cider

The Duché de Longueville cider we tasted offered a very different experience: crisp apple flavor, lively carbonation and a restrained finish. The bottle we tried was made in Normandy from French apples and was notable for tasting clean rather than syrupy.

Because cider availability can vary by importer and market, current packaging, pricing and availability should be checked locally.

Vermouth vs. Cider

These are not direct substitutes. Lustau Dry Vermouth is the more complex and bitter option, especially useful for cocktails or aperitif drinking. Duché de Longueville is easiergoing and more apple-forward, with carbonation doing much of the work.

If your preference runs toward dry, herbal and savory flavors, Lustau is the more interesting bottle. If you want something fruitier and sparkling, the cider is the more approachable choice.

Lustau Vermouth and Duché de Longueville Cider: The Bottom Line

Lustau Dry Vermouth remains the stronger evergreen recommendation because it is still an active 2026 product with a distinctive dry, saline profile. Duché de Longueville remains memorable for its crisp Normandy apple character, though current availability should be checked locally.