This bold vermouth is the brainchild of Gotha Spiriti Nobili and its founder, Ergin Allko — a bartender-turned-craft-spirit maker whose roots span Albania and Italy. DOK ’61 draws on a rich narrative: the name nods to an era of durable fabric in 1961 Albania, while the liquid brings together Sicilian wine, seaside minerality and bold botanicals.

Starting with a high-acid base of Zibibbo and Frappato from Sicily, the wine is infused with chinotto peel, dandelion root, cardamom, Roman absinthe, plum distillate and purified Adriatic seawater — all steeped and blended, then rested in stainless steel before bottling. The result is unapologetically original. 

In the glass it glows amber-copper, greeting you with bitter orange peel, wild cherry, allspice and a whisper of saline breeze. On the palate it’s vibrant and layered — sweet fruit, gentle bitter, herbaceous twist and a long finish that lingers with spice and sea salt. Enjoy it neat over a large cube as an aperitif, or use it to elevate a Negroni, Boulevardier or any cocktail that welcomes something unexpected.