French Spirits

94 Points Tasting Panel | Bright greenish-yellow color and a soft nose of licorice that extends to the lively palate alongside anise. Silky and off-dry, with an elegant, rich style; lovely and, despite its high proof, smooth and delicious.

Made from natural, traditional botanicals and a special century’s old recipe. Absente is distilled in the tradition of absinthe from a potion of fine herbs and spices. Following are the fine ingredients that combine to create the legendary absinthe: herbs, spices angelica, anise, wormwood, peppermint, star anise, and lemon balm. Winemaker Description. 

The nose opens with inviting juniper aromas complemented by delicate citrus highlights. On the palate, a sublime and smooth texture unfolds into a prominently citrus-forward taste, culminating in a beautifully enduring finish. Producer Description. 

Crafted with flavor in mind, CÎROC Passion is distilled from fine French grapes and masterfully infused with an exotic blend inspired by the tropics. Featuring notes of pineapple, mango, citrus, hibiscus, and other natural flavors, it offers a taste experience that's both lusciously unique and elegantly smooth. As a finishing touch, the vodka is encased in a bottle with a distinctive ombre colorway of purple and orange resembling the bright tones of sunset with sleek gold lettering that's sure to stand out on any table. Producer Description. 

Produced in a traditional pot still by Dijon micro distiller Gabriel Boudier, Saffron Gin is made to a 19th century Indian colonial recipe that contains nine fresh botanicals. These include juniper, coriander, lemon, orange peel, angelica seeds, iris, fennel, plus saffron which gives a delicate spicy character.

 

Distiller Notes

Created in 1880 by founder Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is a premium blend of cognacs with wild tropical oranges from the Caribbean. Producer Description.

Exoticism that flatters your senses … incomparable intensity in MASSENEZ’s Ginger Cream. Strength and elegance characterize this Liquor… A nod to new trends, but above all, surprising flavor and strength. Producer Description.

In the Creme de Cassis de Dijon tradition, the Creme de fruits range is dedicated to lovers of variety and different flavours. They are all produced using the same methods as the original creme, a guarantee of quality and the commitment of Maison Boudier. This raspberry liqueur adds subtle embellishments to your aperitifs, wines and Champagnes, and a more colorful taste. Producer Description.

The Wine Enthusiast writes: Made with a harmonious blend of Scottish and Burgundy raspberries, this liqueur sports a deep, vivid dark-cherry hue and a mouth-filling cherry-berry preserves flavor.

The Rothman & Winter collection reflects three generations of producing liqueurs of exceptional character and authenticity. Each fruit liqueur starts with the fruit’s own eau-de-vie and juice, for intensity of fruit flavor.

The Creme de Violette is a pure Violette, without any added vanilla or fruit, working as the magical bridging ingredient in so many classic cocktails. Drink any of the Rothman & Winter liqueurs with sparkling wine or soda, or use them in simple cocktails. Producer Description. 

G.E. Massenez Uses Only Choice, Ripe, Hand-Picked Fruit. Made From Wild Raspberries By Means Of A Proprietary Recipe. Massenez Framboise Sauvage or wild raspberry is a style of eau-de-vie that uses raspberries as the base distillate.

They say it's noteworthy for its "delicacy" and "mirrors the fragility of the raspberry." Fruit eau-de-vie is generally a drier taste but with aromas and character that reminds intensely of the fruit. This Was Introduced By G. E. Massenez Back In The 1930s. Producer Description. 

 

Raspberry, feminine by excellence is delicately revealed in MASSENEZ’s raspberry Cream. A fragile fruit, which is so intense on the nose and the palate, that this Cream surprises the senses. An explosion of flavors! Producer Description.

The blackberry infusion comes from the maceration of wild fruit. Marie Brizard's master liqueur-maker refines this by adding blackberry juice. This exclusive recipe makes for a blackberry liqueur that is balanced and full of imagination. Producer Description.

 

Violet color with slight grenat shades. Very bright. Floral aroma. Spring flavors with floral notes (violet, rose…). Very aromatic tasting notes, floral and creamy. Producer Description.

The classic, beautiful bottle and rich tones of the Busnel Vieille Reserve VSOP Calvados du Pays d'Auge make it a must have for any brandy or cognac enthusiast. The lovely presentation also lends this bottle to elegant and stylish gift giving. The spirit itself delivers an apple-filled flavor that is backed by tones of oak, baked goods and pear. Lovely with a fruity dessert after dinner. Producer Description.

Sélection achieves this harmony by combining the sharp freshness of perry pears with the smoothness of cider apples. The ciders and perries are distilled in a column still and then aged in old, often used casks that preserve the subtle balance of this Calvados with its appetizing fragrance of fresh fruit. Recommended to those who appreciate Calvados as a long drink at aperitif time, it is also well suited to the preparation of cocktails, and for gourmet recipes. Producer Description.

The single distillation source used to produce Martell VS fine cognac means that it has a clean, rich flavor that cannot be matched by other brands. Martell VS is a high-end cognac, produced in the town of Cognac — the only place true cognac is made — in the department of Charente in France.

The smooth and flavorful cognac's luscious and fruity notes and flavors of vanilla and citrus are paired with a slightly bitter undertone for a well-balanced drinking experience. With both woody and spicy notes, as well as the fresh flavor of pear, Martell VS tastes great on its own but also pairs well with popular mixers such as orange juice and triple sec.

The hints of candied almonds and spices are reminiscent of your favorite baked goods, making for a well-balanced and delicious drink. With over 200 years of history at the Martell distillery in France, Martell VS is the perfect high-quality cognac to add to your favorite cocktail. Producer Description.

Water, alcohol, sugar, raspberries and burnt sugar are blended together in refrigerated vats. When the alcohol content reaches a desirable level, the mixture is then filtered and bottled. Color Deep ruby, viscous Bouquet Intense raspberry fruit, nearly a sweet syrup, with oriental spice tones Taste Lush and intensely sweet but just tart enough from the raspberry fruits. Producer Description.

Pinnacle Vodka starts with the finest wheat grain from the Brie region of France crushed up and heated to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. Next, the mixture is five times distilled producing a high-proof spirit. Distillation is the process of obtaining a high-alcohol mixture from the wash; rectification is the process of removing undesirable components such as methanol from this distillate. This is done with a simple pot still by discarding the first and last parts of the distillate produced. This complex process ensures the highest quality and purity.The distillate is then filtered through charcoal, which is far superior than other methods used. The spirit, after purification, is at 190 proof. It is then diluted to 80 proof by adding exceptionally clean, naturally filtered water from the soil of the Northern region of France.

Le Chamois genepi embodies the traditional liqueur, made by macerating artemisia mutellina flowers picked on the mountain in mid-summer and then distilling the artisanal way in our fabulous copper still. It becomes this strong aromatic mountain liqueur, the emblem of Savoie and its famous terroir, which you'll enjoy drinking by the fire after a day of skiing. Authentic and timeless, this 100% Alpine genepi should be an essential part of an evening with friends!

A fairly intense style of Cognac. The aromas leap out of the glass with notes of orange zest, cinnamon, potpourri, and licorice. Leather muskiness and dried fruit join in after.The palate is powerful and sweet with notes of fresh baked apple, ripe peaches and spices. Producer Description.

Jason Wilson writes:  Falling between VS and VSOP level, this four- to five-year-old is light golden and simple. It’s fruity on the nose and a little grapey, and on the palate, there’s a lot of creamy vanilla and a touch of spice. Not particularly a cocktail brandy due to its price. It is what it is.   - Vinous

This three-year-old bottling from AOC Domfrontais is made from 70% pears and hearkens back to old-school Calvados in the best sense. Light amber in color, the nose is wild and rustic, with earthy aromas of poached pear, pear skin, along with toffee and crème brûlée. In the mouth, there’s great acidity, fresh fruit, along with green, herbal notes, and a pop of fresh fennel on the attractive finish.  - Vinous 96

 

Eye: Beautiful straw yellow color.

Nose: Aromas of vine flower & linden with a touch of vanilla.

Palate: Round, rich, and harmoniously balanced. Fresh, original, with notes of vanilla and toast.

A very subtle, aromatic Cognac. Its subtle vanilla bouquet also has floral overtones of roses and violets, leading into hints of prunes and apricots. Pierre Ferrand Ambre is superbly balanced on the palate. The aromas found on the bouquet linger on the palate for several minutes. Producer Description.

Hardy XO Rare Cognac is a version of the “Tradition” range from the house of Hardy Cognac. The brandy mixture is deliciously aged, giving a spirit of a beautiful amber color. The layered palate is a continuous evolution of inspiring flavors. This smooth Cognac has irresistible aromas and a deliciously long finish. Producer Description.

Wine Enthusiast | Aromas are spirity and oaky, with traces of worn saddle leather and cedar. The palate entry is moderately rich, caramel-like and chewy; at midpalate the taste displays off-dry to bittersweet flavors of nougat, bacon fat and old oak. Ends up warming, nutty.

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | Concentrated dark fruit leads the nose and palate on this garnet-hued aperitif wine infused with quinine. Complex, rich stewed fruit notes suggest cherry pie and Port brushed with vanilla, finishing long with drying hints of plum skin, sage and dried oregano plus a hint of espresso-like bitterness.  Best Buy

Byrrh Grand Quinquina is made to the original late-19th century recipe that earned worldwide fame and inspired fifty years of evocative poster art. Byrrh combines a generous, port-like wine and mistelle base with a firm backbone of natural quinine to produce a fruity, refreshing aperitif.

By itself, with tonic and a twist, or paired with blue cheese. In cocktails, Byrrh mixes well with vodka, gin, tequila, Irish whiskey, and grapefruit. Byrrh is produced in Thuir, in the heart of French Catalan territory, near the coast and border with Spain. Producer Description. 

Dolin Blanc is a fresh, elegant, clear vermouth with an edge of vanilla and balanced sweetness. Pour in a pitcher over chopped fruit or serve it as they do in France - a sliced strawberry, splash of soda and a lemon twist.

Try it in a cocktail with any clear spirit. It is a phenomenal accompaniment to fresh cow's milk cheese or creamy bloomy-rind cheese. Producer Description. 

Aged for a minimum of 21 years in Gascony oak barrels. Produced exclusively from the Estate's single vineyard. 

This singular Bas Armagnac is rich with dried fruit, butterscotch and a hint of spice. 
Best enjoyed neat. Producer Description.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Bright, fresh aromas suggest apple and apricot. The soft, spiced palate shows stone fruit and coconut drizzled with honey, finishing with a baking spice exhale.

A blend of Bas Armagnacs aged 6 to 12 years from the award-winning Ch de Laubade. Fragran aromas of violets, nougat and vanilla lead to a rich palate of bittersweet chocolate, spice and violet. Long, warm finish. Gold Medal, 2010 World Spirit Awards. Producer Notes.