Distillerie du Petit Grain is especially pleased to re-introduce this once typical gin ingredient. Additionally, the recipe makes use of galangal, an ingredient found on a list from 1495 specifying the different botanicals destined for the creation of gin. The original recipe also marries thyme, fennel and pistachio shoots with wild lavender and pine cones. The idea with this gin was to combine the classic notes of juniper with flowers, aromatic herbs, and sap which mark the arrival of the spring in the Languedoc. How? The Gin d’Avril is made from fresh herbs cut at the time of spring’s arrival around Saint-Jean de Minervois, in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Park in the foothills of the Massif Central. It’s no surprise that during a large blind tasting organized by the French Très Très Bon in 2021, containing a staggering 200 French gins, Distillerie du Petit Grain came out number one! From their beginnings to today, they remain firmly rooted in the Saint-Jean de Minervois terroir and in their quest for distillates with the utmost purity and without a shred of artifice, and which are not dominated by alcohol. Who? In the early 2000s, Laurent and Patricia Gaspard established the Distillerie du Petit Grain, situated in the small town of Saint-Jean de Minervois in the Haut Languedoc. What? Distillerie du Petit Grain Gin d’Avril It has tremendous heft, exudes a real sense of quality and has presence on one’s table. The square decanter is produced in France, the wood box the bottle comes in is made up of local wood, and the cork stopper is actually made of local stone. The packaging is quite unique too and perfectly demonstrates Aurian’s eye towards sustainable development and short-circuit production. It is bottled at 45.9% and as all Armagnacs from Maison Aurian, it does not contain any sugar, coloring, or other additives whatsoever. How? The Aurian A25 (Le A de Aurian) is a blend of Armagnacs all of which are at least 25 years old. Instead, they source from local growers that they have worked with year after year and provide the level of quality required for the Maison Aurian name - which is undoubtedly very high. It is worth noting that Maison Aurian does not possess vines themselves. They have a strong desire to continue to be innovative and bold, and they are keenly interested in sustainable development. They have a love for the Armagnac region and especially the products they put in bottle. Fast forward to 2018 and it’s Florent and Isabella who took over the family business. Philippe Aurian would go on to develop the wide offering of drinks still seen today: aperitifs, liqueurs, Armagnacs, etc. Marius Aurian later joined, thus giving the first link to the Aurian family name. Joseph Dupeyron obtained some first lots of Armagnac and began to age and blend them.
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