Head-to-head
Carpano Antica Formula vs Punt e Mes
Two rossi from the Carpano house with opposite missions: the historic luxury formula versus Turin's bitter bar vermouth.
Same house, two philosophies
Carpano Antica Formula revives Antonio Benedetto Carpano's eighteenth-century recipe: spiced, complex, with vanilla and layered herbs. Punt e Mes («point and a half») was born in 1870 with an extra point of bitterness for Milanese cocktail bars.
Antica Formula tops our Negroni ranking; Punt e Mes is the more direct, bitter everyday bar tool from the same family.
Comparison table
Profile data from Vermutpedia. Click a name for the full review.
| Criterio | Carpano Antica Formula | Carpano Punt e Mes |
|---|---|---|
| Nota Vermutpedia | — | — |
| Bodega | Carpano | Carpano |
| Origen | Turín, Italia | Turín, Italia |
| Estilo | Red · Medium-sweet | Red · Medium-sweet |
| Tipo | Red | Red |
| Graduación | 16.5% vol. | 16% vol. |
| Crianza | Unaged | Unaged |
| Uvas base | Vino blanco italiano | Vino blanco italiano |
Vermutpedia verdict
Antica Formula is the occasion bottle: author Negroni, premium Manhattan, or a long glass where you want depth. Punt e Mes is the daily bar workhorse: marked bitterness, lower price, and proven balance with Campari. If budget forces one choice, Punt e Mes delivers more cocktail volume; for the best Carpano expression in the glass, Antica Formula has no rival in the catalogue.
Related recipe
Negroni: recipe and recommended vermouthFrequently asked questions
Which is better for Negroni?
Antica Formula adds more complexity and spice; Punt e Mes more bitter tension and classic bar style. Both work; choice is taste and budget.
Is Punt e Mes more bitter?
Yes. Its name refers to an extra half point of bitterness versus standard rosso. Antica Formula is more spiced and round.
Does Antica Formula justify the price?
For special Negronis or Manhattans, yes. For vermouth with soda or casual aperitif, Punt e Mes or a more accessible rosso is usually more practical.