DOK ’61 is an identity statement from Ergin as bartender, distiller and citizen of both Italy and Albania. For inspiration he calls on the history of communist Albania at the distinct moment in time when Chinese allies introduced a fabric called ‘DOK’ - the year 1961. It was durable and used to manufacture uniforms for proletarian workers, and Ergin in turn dedicated this vermouth to the working class.

The base wine is a blend of 95% Zibibbo with 5% Frappato, both sourced from Sicily. Together they form an aromatic but high acid baseline- the perfect starting point for vermouth.  Other important botanicals include: chinotto peel, cinchona, rabarbaro, wormwood, star anise (essential oil), dandelion root and cherry pepper (pimento), and of course the trademark purified seawater from the Adriatic Sea. He tops everything off with a small amount of plum distillate, a unique addition which increases roundness and depth.

All of the infusions are done individually then added to the blended wine. Next up is the plum distillate and essential oils (star anise), followed by the sugar solution, water and seawater. The mixture rests 45 days in stainless steel before a light filtration and bottling.

Like its inspiration, DOK ’61 is reliable, balancing sweetness, bitterness and herbaceousness with elegant aromatics and a citrus forward palate - and fulfills Ergin’s intent to create a utilitarian ingredient that works in a wide variety of classic recipes.