Citadelle Tasting Notes

Citadelle Oak Aged Old Tom 46%

Aged in a combination of Acacia, Mulberry, Cherrywood, Chestnut, ex-Pineau de Charentes French oak and ex-Cognac casks. Married together in the custom build egg!

Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica, cumin, nutmeg, almonds, grains of paradise, liquorice, cubeb, savory, cinnamon, star anise, blackcurrant, iris, violet, fennel, orange and lemon zest.

Tasted: Mar 2018

Given all  those different casks, the oak is pretty well balanced on the nose. Juniper heavy with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Subtly sweet with a touch of vanilla, almond and dusty but smooth tannins. Late Cognac, berry, fennel and citrus notes.

The palate is quite sweet, sweeter than the nose suggests but the lemon balances. Again quite juniper heavy with the oak adding subtle tannins and vanilla. Hints of orange, cinnamon, cumin and fennel come through. The oak really comes through on the finish but the alcohol stops it getting bent out of shape. Lovely complexity!

Distillerie de Terres Rouge Tasting Notes

Le Gin 1 & 9 40%

French gin, which is double distilled with only juniper, with the other botanicals – coriander, orange peel, orris root, cinnamon, angelica and cardamom macerated.

Tasted: May 2016

The nose is very intense, with smoky juniper, coriander and earth. The earthy cinnamon and cardamom spices build pleasantly and give the nose a lovely, natural feel.

The palate is crisp with sweet-ish juniper, coriander and angelica. Less earthy and smoky than the nose suggests, with the emphasis on the sweet juniper. Good length with a subtly floral and spicy ginger and sweet vanilla finish. Actually the spices really linger!

 

G’Vigne Tasting Notes

G’Vigne, French Gin

Distilled from Ugni Blanc and infused with green grape flowers, juniper ginger root, licorice, cardamom, cassia bark, coriander, cubeb berries, nutmeg, lime

Tasted: June 2008

Very perfumed, overwhelmingly so. Quiet soapy, reminds me of shaving foam! False and frankly horrid with hints of grapes. The palate isn’t much better being soapy and perfumed, with that false citrus shaving foam flavour mingling with botanicals and grape notes. Not pleasant!