Citadelle Original Gin

Product of: France

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Citadelle Gin is made in direct fired (naked flame) Charentais copper pot stills in cognac stills with French wheat neutral spirit and 19 botanicals and a patented "Progressive Infusion" method.

1. French juniper berries
2. Orris root
3. French violet root
4. Moroccan coriander
5. Almonds
6. Spanish lemon peel
7. Mexican orange peel
8. Angelica from North Germany
9. Indian cardamom
10. Indian nutmeg
11. Cassia bark from Indochina
12. Sri Lankan cinnamon
13. Mediterranean fennel
14. African grains of paradise
15. Cubeb from Java
16. Chinese liquorice
17. Cumin
18. French star anise
19. Savory

The AOC laws of the Cognac region, which stated that cognac can only be distilled between November and March, left the region's copper alembic stills and skilled distillers unutilised for six months of the year. Alexandre Gabriel, owner of Cognac Ferrand, lobbied the BNIC, the governing body of Cognac, to allow him to use his stills to produce gin during those months when he could not make cognac. Having succeeded he researched historic French gin production and discovered that in 1771 two distillers in Dunkirk, Carpeau and Stival, had made gin from juniper berries and exotic spices brought by vessels arriving from the Orient for sale to gin crazed England. Incredibly, their distillery was located in the Dunkirk's Citadelle, the historic fortress protecting the town. Hence Alexandre named his gin Citadelle gin.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 08/02/2012

Appearance:

Crystal clear.

Aroma:

Juniper-led fresh, leafy nose with fragrant coriander, honeysuckle, peppery grains of paradise and fruity orange and mango.

Taste:

Fresh, clean off dry, piney juniper, citrusy palate with quickly emerging cracked black pepper notes.

Aftertaste:

Clean, spicy peppered finish with good juniper notes and orange zest.