Ferrand releases ‘world’s first’ solera-aged gin

Coganc Ferrand has released what it claims is the world’s first solera-aged gin, Citadelle Gin Reserve 2013 Solera.

Citadelle Gin Reserve Solera is the “world’s first” solera-aged gin

The solera aging process, usually used in brandy and Sherry production, involves maturing liquid for varied amounts of time in different barrels.

To make Citadelle Gin Reserve Solera, Cognac Ferrand’s original Citadelle Gin is placed in three different types of casks for between two and five months.

Barrels used in the ageing process include an ex-Cognac cask, ex-Pineau des Charente and an American oak cask.

Once the liquid has been aged in these three barrels, it is poured into the “mother solera” where it is married and then bottled. The “mother solera” is only ever half emptied in order to maintain flavour consistency

“This is going back to the original style of what was known as ‘yellow gin’ made 120 years ago, the golden age of gin, when gin spent time in wooden barrels,” said Cognac Ferrand proprietor Alexandre Gabriel.

Ferrand’s original Citadelle Gin is the only gin in the world distilled in small, Charentais copper pot stills over a naked flame. It is made in small batches infused with 19 select botanicals.

Cognac Ferrand released its first aged gin, Citadelle Gin Reserve Limited Edition, in 2008.

“As a cellar master, I’ve always been fascinated by the flavour possibilities offered by blending different casks,” continued Gabriel.

“I’ve tried different ways to make the ultimate aged gin since 2008 and I concluded that the best was not to age gin in just one cask but in different types and then to marry the liquid.”

Citadelle Gin Solera Vintage 2013, bottled at 44% abv, is available now in the US at an RRP of US$34.99. It was first released in the UK in November 2013.