Citadelle Gin de France 1L

Citadelle Gin de France 1L is the original Citadelle gin — the pioneering 44% ABV (88 proof) French dry gin that predates the craft-gin boom, distilled by Maison Ferrand at Château de Bonbonnet in Ars, near Cognac. Built on 19 botanicals and distilled in small Charentais copper pot stills over naked flame, this is the 1L bottle of the flagship expression. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 44% (88 proof)
• Size: 1L
• Botanicals: 19 — including estate-grown juniper (the only gin distilled with its own cultivated juniper)
• Distillery: Maison Ferrand, Château de Bonbonnet, Ars, France
• Method: small Charentais copper alembic stills over naked flame; progressive infusion, heart cut only
• Lineage: inspired by a 1775 distilling technique from Dunkirk

The Gin That Made France a Gin Country

When Alexandre Gabriel revived Citadelle in the 1990s, France was not on the gin map — the brand essentially built the category there. The method is deliberately old-school: botanicals steeped by progressive infusion, then distilled in small copper Charentais stills (the same design used for Cognac) heated over a naked flame, with only the heart of the fourth distillation kept. The estate grows its own juniper across from the château, a claim no other gin maker makes. Explore more gin at Del Mesa, including the summer expression from the same house — Citadelle.

Tasting Notes

The 19-botanical recipe (juniper, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond, orris root, fennel, star anise, grains of paradise, orange peel, cardamom, violet root, lemon peel, coriander seed, cubeb, cassia bark, licorice, summer savory, angelica, cumin) reads classic dry gin with a French accent — juniper-led, warmly spiced, with citrus and floral lift from the orange peel, lemon peel, violet root, and orris.

How to Enjoy

The 44% ABV and bold botanical load make this a cocktail builder's gin — it stands up to tonic and vermouth without fading. Try it in a classic French 75 or a proper Negroni; the 1L format gives you more to work with than a standard 750.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as Citadelle Jardin d'Été?
No — this is the ORIGINAL Citadelle (44% ABV, 19 botanicals); Jardin d'Été (41.5% ABV, melon/citrus-led) is a separate, permanent expression from the same house.

Where is Citadelle gin made?
By Maison Ferrand at Château de Bonbonnet in Ars, France, near Cognac.

What makes Citadelle different from other gins?
Naked-flame Charentais copper stills, progressive-infusion distillation, and an estate juniper orchard — Citadelle is the only gin distilled with its own cultivated juniper.

What size is the bottle?
1L — larger than the standard 750mL format.

Order Citadelle Gin de France 1L online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA — the original French gin, in the liter format.