Grandes Distilleries Peureux - Un Peureux - Absinthe - 48%
Grandes Distilleries Peureux, located in the charming town of Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert in Haute-Saône, are renowned for their exceptional expertise in producing traditional eaux-de-vie and spirits. Mainly specialized in Fougerolles kirsch, a high-quality cherry brandy, as well as the famous Griottines, they are among the pillars of French distillation. Founded in 1864 by master distiller Auguste Peureux, the distillery quickly distinguished itself through the impeccable quality of its products, whether eaux-de-vie, absinthe, or anise-based spirits, notably at the 1900 Universal Exposition in Paris, a major event that attracted connoisseurs' attention. At that time, absinthe dominated the French aperitif market, representing over 90% of consumption between 1870 and 1915. When absinthe was banned in France in 1915, the distillery adapted its production by emphasizing cherries, notably creating guignolet, a delicious sweet drink obtained by macerating cherries and morello cherries in a fine kirsch-based liqueur.
In 1948, Claude Peureux succeeded his grandfather at the age of 18, bringing new energy to the company through a marked openness to export, including a strategic partnership with an Australian distillery, still affiliated today with Grandes Distilleries Peureux. Joining this dynamic, engineer Pierre Baud, hired in 1968, worked on developing fruit valorization, giving birth to the iconic Griottines — a trademark registered in 1980 — these cherries macerated in a 15% kirsch liqueur, made from the Balkan Oblachinska variety, a firm and juicy morello cherry grown in Serbia, with unique flavors that French soils cannot reproduce. To guarantee the exceptional quality of their raw material, the leaders then decided to acquire orchards in Serbia.
After Claude Peureux's death in 1992, Pierre Baud took over the company, later joined by his son Bernard Baud, who significantly modernized the distillery's laboratory. Around the 2000s, the distillery diversified its offer by launching the prestigious Louis Blanzey whisky, restarting absinthe production as well as a luxury vodka, thus strengthening its premium positioning in the markets. The 2011 acquisition of the Alsace distillery Massenez further expanded their range of quality spirits. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, this emblematic house revived the famous absinthe "Un Peureux," an authentic symbol of its rich heritage.
Today, Grandes Distilleries Peureux are proud to be recognized as the world's leading producer of fruit eaux-de-vie and the undisputed leader in fruit maceration. Thanks to a tradition where innovation rhymes with excellence, they express through each bottle the art of traditional French spirits, in perfect harmony with nature and terroir.
