Citadelle Vive La Cornichon Gin 750ml

Citadelle Gin comes from Maison Ferrand, the Cognac house led by Alexandre Gabriel that launched Citadelle in 1996 as France's original craft gin. Built around Gabriel's château estate in Angeac-Champagne, the company has since expanded its gin range to include a core lineup alongside more experimental releases, and in 2022 it introduced a new series called Les Excentriques, dedicated to unexpected, one-off collaborations. Vive Le Cornichon marks the first release in that series, built around the humble French pickle and produced in Citadelle's newer distillery on the estate, designed by Gabriel and built entirely by the château's in-house team.

The gin starts from Citadelle's signature base of nineteen botanicals, distilled using the brand's patented method of progressively infusing juniper and other ingredients at different stages. For this edition, cornichons supplied by Maison Marc, a Burgundy family business that hand-picks its pickles without insecticides or preservatives, are infused into the finished gin alongside the standard botanical blend. The release was limited to just three thousand bottles and bottled at 43.8 percent alcohol by volume, reflecting its status as a small-batch experiment rather than a permanent addition to the range.

The nose is intensely herbaceous, led by juniper and aniseed before a distinct vinegar and brine character from the pickle comes through. On the palate, that same green, tangy salinity carries across the tongue, finishing long with subtle notes of mustard and pearl onion. It is built for savory cocktails, excelling in a Dirty Martini or Gibson, and pairs naturally with charcuterie or fresh oysters.