Christian Drouin - Le Gin - Carmina - 42%
\nThe Christian Drouin House is located in the heart of the Pays d’Auge, in Normandy, a region renowned for its exceptional terroir and ancestral expertise in producing quality spirits. Founded in 1960 at Fiefs Saint-Anne, near Honfleur, Christian Drouin senior initially cultivated a farm planted with cider apple trees before venturing into the distillation of Calvados, a traditional emblematic Norman eau-de-vie. Thanks to the expertise of Pierre Pivet, a renowned master distiller, he perfected the art of distilling cider over twenty years to obtain exceptional Calvados, which he then stored in buildings adapted for maturation. In 1969, Christian Drouin junior joined the family venture, and it was in 1979 that the marketing of spirits began, with stocks now ready to be shared. After a decade of experience abroad, he brought new energy by distributing his Calvados to the most prestigious hotels and restaurants, thus consolidating the estate's international reputation. At the end of the 1990s, the steady growth of Clos des Spiritueux required a larger production space, leading to the transfer of facilities near Pont-l’Évêque. In 2004, the third generation arrived with Guillaume Drouin, an agronomic engineer and oenologist, who dedicated his early years to developing exports before taking charge of production and then the management of the company in 2013. The apples used come from two organic orchards where about thirty different varieties grow, cultivated according to the strict principles of organic farming, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and fruit quality.
\nThe Carmina Gin by Christian Drouin, pride of Clos des Spiritueux, is based on a neutral spirit flavored with distilled apple cider, offering an elegant base that enhances the richness of the aromas. This exceptional gin is made from more than 30 carefully selected cider apple varieties, where 7 natural botanicals are meticulously macerated. Each ingredient is distilled separately to preserve its aromatic purity before being blended according to a precise dosage inherent to each batch, thus ensuring unique consistency and finesse. The iconic flavors of Juniper, Raspberry, Blackcurrant, Elderflower, Vanilla, Lemon, and Orange give Carmina Gin a balanced, fresh, and subtly fruity aromatic palette, perfect for connoisseurs seeking an authentic and refined Norman spirit.