It takes one to know one. It takes knowing what a one-season year-round climate feels like to know how that season should taste like. We’d like to think that if summer should have a taste, it should be refreshingly light to counter the heat, but at a level as intense as the weather’s scorch. It also takes that same abundant sunshine to build summer in a glass, albeit a summer in the southwest of France.
As far as gins that sparked a revival after the ’80s go, two blue bottled beauties accomplished that feat. One of which has over 120 awards attributed to its name, and is cultivated by hand from the yards on a château. The artisanal French gin pushes the summer agenda further with its latest addition.
“The new Citadelle Jardin d’été is a tribute to my wife’s beautiful garden with all of her fruits, vegetables and herbs blooming in the summer,” founder and master distiller Alexandre Gabriel says. “Her garden is my oasis and I wanted to bottle this little patch of paradise.”
And so the oasis consists of, on top of the 19 botanicals infused in the Original, yuzu zest, melon flesh, orange peel and a whole lemon. While the expected citrus flavours are not pronounced, the profile is markedly bright and aromatic. We may even call it delicate, except it certainly pulled its weight when mixed and garnished.
A dash of lemon juice, a stir of tonic, and a ton of ice will do the trick for this 41.5 percent ABV delight until all that is left is easily attainable on our shores—the seemingly endless dog days of summer.
Citadelle Jardin d’été is available for purchase online at EC Proof and Cold Storage.
