Notes: This is a new expression/flavor of the House of Bobonnet (Maison Ferrand )Citadelle Brand, The other expression are the Classic/Original Citadelle de France , Citadelle Reserve,  JARDIN D’ ÉTÉ , Citadelle Gin De France Rouge , and Citadelle Old Tom.

This the Citadelle Gin De France VIVE Le CORNICHON !, is a new direction for the House Bonbonnett

The Base Spirit : Imported from France with a 4x distilled wheat grain base and a blend of 19 botanicals from all over the world. The production of this gin is absolutely unique – with the 4th distillation done using equipment and methods no one else uses anymore . The base wheat spirit is triple distilled in a column still then the 19 botanicals are added and it is distilled in a quite small (200 liter) cognac copper pot still using naked flame – which is a lot trickier than it sounds. Overall a unique gin crafted lovingly and with minute attention to detail. The payoff is a full flavored but subtle gin

The Distinguishing/Unique Characteristics of This Expression : First and part of the limited edition Les Excintriques Series ( more to come I am sure!) Using corichon small cucumber infused into the gin and its other 19 botanicals. The background on the cucumbers is that they are from Maison Marc in Burgundy, organic and hand harvested. The caviar of cornichons. The gin is the result of typical cat behavior – on of the distillery cats – Tom, who has an unerring tastes for French products – a wired in cat behavior of knocking things over – dumped a jar of Maison Marc cornichons over and some of them fell into a gin and tonic and so the idea of Vive Le Cornichon was born !

Appearance: Despite any expectation from the name, it is colorless. Silvery pool of liquid in the glass . Crystal clear almost shiny sheen to it. Spirit develops thin scalloped edges  on swirling, changing to tears after a long period on the side of the glass. Somewhat oily/thickness to body (sign of quality and lots of flavor).

First Impression: A complete departure from your usual gin. First point being Juniper is not the first and defining characteristic but is present among the other 19 botanicals – just not out front leading the charge. The additional cucumber/cornichon make up a substantial overlay on the foundational gin base with cardamom, licorice, cubeb, cassia, savory, and grains of paradise wrap around nutmeg and citrus peels, with star anise lingering around the edges extremely complex, floral, aromatic, savory and overall luscious bouquet.

Taste: Complex interplay of the floral, fruit,  and spicy makes for multilayered gin experience without being mugged by Juniper. The aromatic , and bass savory and slightly saline components counterpoint the higher floral and herbal notes which is immediately followed on by a show from the star anise but it plays nicely with the citrus and violets. The savory and woody components then start to take hold leaving a lingering but complex dryness with an floral, savory, aromatic and slightly mineral  ending and a delightful tingling of the Sichuan pepper corns at midpoint of tongue and lips. One is also left with a floral and mineral with traces of aromatic finish that has a medium long finish – or as the Japanese say – Shiripin – it has a tail.

Drinks: Seems like a very interesting addition to your gin portfolio with a  few very unique charactersitics to add to your quiver of flavors. Gin and tonics are brought to a whole new level with the complexities of the botanicals and  cornichon and brine notes playing with the tonic for more backbone/base notes. ( Note: Use Fever tree tonic not some cheap syrupy crap – its well worth the extra 50 cents.) Citadelle Vive Le Cornichon brings some interesting dirty martini notes to a standard martini with a much better brine than most bars could muster also.

Bottle: Blue tinted, Clear glass, silkscreened with a graphic of a Citadelle Tower and a lot of decorative script to lend a antique , classic feel  to it. Diamond shaped paper label at midline and whimsical and playful illustrated paper band showing the story of Tom the Cat and how the gin came into being some explanations on what makes it unique and regional at the same time. The collar of the screw cap closusre is embossed with Product De France in a charming rather antique script and an interesting repetition of the citadelle design on top.

Final Thoughts: A nicely complex spirit – Really explores and shows off what is possible when you take a careful , discriminating, and thoughtful approach to producing a spirit and throw some inventive twists into it . With a mild and not overwhelming Juniper presence balanced by the well chosen botanicals and outstanding distillation it is one of the more complex examples of pushing the gin botanical envelope without being a hot mess.

Website: http://www.citadellegin.com

Website is nicely laid out with a LOT  of information on both thoriginal Citadelle ( which forms the base for all the others) and a explanation of how each one is different,
A remarkable upgrade from their earlier iterations of the website.

For Their newsletters and more information for ALL their many products go to : News, Maison Ferrand