Citadelle Gin

Combining history and innovation in a manner that is perhaps unmatched by many contemporary producers, Alexandre Gabriel and the team at Maison Ferrand created this gin over a decade ago based on historical archives from the 18th century detailing the establishment of the first French Genievrerie at the Citadelle of Dunkirk in 1775. Like the original spirit, the contemporary version of Citadelle is distilled with naked flame, direct fire charentais copper pot stills with an extensive spice and herb oriented botanical recipe of 19 ingredients that play a subtle supporting role to the core of juniper. Using one of the botanicals as a garnish in cocktails helps reveal its flavor in remarkable ways. Overlooked and undervalued for a decade, this excellent spirit is finally beginning to get its due. Still one of the best buys out there.