Citadelle

History

The birth of the Citadelle gin recipe dates back to 1775 when two French visionaries, Carpeau and Stival obtained permission from King Louis XVI to open a gin distillery at Citadelle de Dunquerque, the first to hold the title of Royal Distillery for 20 years.

In the late 1980s, when gin became the spirit of industry Alexandre Gabriel decided to recreate this gin at the Pierre Ferdinand Cognac distillery in the town of Cognac.

Using a more modern and novel method, although similar to the old one, and the use of botanicals that could not be found in the 1700s.

The first batch of Citadelle Gin was ready in the late 1980s, but it was not until 1995 that permission was given to produce and market Citadelle Gin.

The Château de Bonbonnet is where Citadelle gins are made under the supervision of Alexandre Gabriel, owner of Maison Ferrand, and the artisanal distiller of Citadelle gins.

Production Process

Citadelle's aim is to make the most of all the possibilities offered by the Cognac region of France. Since 2018, juniper plants grown right in front of the Château de Bonbonnet have been used. The rest of the botanicals used have different origins, but the intention is to collaborate with the area in a local way.

The botanicals used are cardamom, lemon and orange zest, cubeba, Sichuan pepper and coriander. Also nutmeg, liquorice, cassia, cinnamon, iris root, angelica root, almond, star anise, fennel, savory, cumin and violet.

Citadelle is distilled only in March and November. It is made with a Charentais alamabique, with a maximum capacity of 25. They use the so-called living flame system, which produces a kind of caramelisation.

Producing this gin is time consuming as the botanicals are infused for 79 hours before distillation and the live flame system requires a full day's work - this slow process means that only the heart of the gin is selected.

All ingredients are infused in neutral French wheat alcohol individually. Depending on the botanical, the infusion is longer or shorter. The result is a 44 proof gin.

The Gin

Citadelle is a gin with very different aroma contrasts. Juniper, citrus, pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon predominate.

It stands out for its complexity, refinement and elegance. Its creator, Alexandre Gabriel, has used modern botanicals to bring to life a gin that has been produced for several centuries.

Citadelle Original has won more than 80 medals over the years, most notably "Spirit of the Year" at the 2017 World Spirits Award.

It has also been selected as the "World's Best French Gin" in the Top 100 Spirits and received the "Gin Grand Master" award in London.