In 2008, Alexandre Gabriel caused a stir by doing just that, producing the wooden Citadelle Reserve. No one had ever seen a gin aged for almost a century. In those days, when glass was too fragile and expensive and plastic and stainless steel were not options, gin was transported in wooden barrels. And so, he became old of wood. With the Citadelle Reserve, Maison Ferrand celebrates the rebirth of golden gin. What started as a "family" experiment in 2008 and shared with some baristas and curious friends has now become a gin much sought after today by baristas and consumers for its different taste profile.
After several years of experimentation, Gabriel perfected his recipe: adding 3 botanicals - yuzu, genepi, bleuet- and resting gin in five different types of wooden barrels - Acacia, Gelso, Cherry, Chestnut and French Oak - for five months.
At the end of the five months, the gin is combined and refined into an eight-meter high, 2.45-meter-tall, oak-shaped barrel.
The egg shape of the wooden tub creates a natural convection that facilitates a harmonious and delicate integration when all the different aged barrels are joined. Citadelle is the only French distiller of distillates to date to use this avant-garde technique, in line with the far-sighted principles and the spirit of Alexandre Gabriel and Maison Ferrand.
This extraordinary method of aging intensifies the citrus notes of Citadelle Reserve Gin and creates an elegant softness in the mouth. Bottled at 45.2% ABV, this gin is incredible in a classic Gin Martini.
Tasting notes:
Color: light gold, clear.
Nose: herbaceous notes of dried spices, but also coconut shell, tobacco and orange blossom. The second nose brings out notes of juniper berries and green tea.
Mouth: the first note is silky, abundant, a little spicy / peppery, with hints of dried tobacco. Midtasting, additional notes of lemon peel, ginger and almond. A lasting ending.
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