Thirty different varieties of apples and eight atomatics

The expertise of a family of craft distillers and creators of vintage calvados lies behind the creation of a Gin for connoisseurs.
- Guillaume Drouin
- Maison Drouin
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As head of the Calvados Christian Drouin company, Guillaume Drouin represents the third generation of a family that has always been fascinated by the search for a perfect balance between different aromas and flavours.

Guillaume Drouin is a quali ed oenologist and agronomist. After acquiring experience in the elds of wine-making and rum he joined the family business in 2004. Working with his father on the aging of calvados, he took part in the creation of the company's great blends while looking for new product ranges that would highlight original aromatic associations.

Guillaume is a man full of curiosity and enthusiasm. His passion for the world of avours, tasting and the art of blending soon led him towards a new creation, that of a Gin based on the apples from his orchards. Thanks to its method of production and the number of aromatic substances that compose it, this Gin is without any doubt the spirit that offers the broadest possible spectre of composition: an almost in nite eld for creativity, a challenge both rich and fascinating in the search for symbiosis between apples, juniper and aromatics of world-wide origin.

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Even before he began to sell his calvados, Christian Drouin the elder was in the habit of entering samples of his vintages in the wine and spirit competitions in Normandy and Paris. It was here that he won his first medals. Two generations later the company can display 195 Gold Medals obtained in such competitions, including the Best European Spirits Producer title at the IWSC in London in 2013.
Why creating a Gin ?

The use of Calvados has been developing in cocktail bars for a few years now. This has made Guillaume Drouin discover a new universe as well as spirits that he had but seldom tasted before. The world of Gin with its complexity and its almost infinite possibilities has made him eager to know more.

How is Gin produced? What are the criteria used to fix the worth of its quality? How can one create balance in a spirit made of such different, sometimes even antagonistic flavors? And, last but not least, could he manage to produce a great Gin based on the apples of his orchards, a Gin that he would be proud of signing with his name?
A Gin incorporating more than 30 different varieties of apples

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Guillaume had to find seasoning that would best balance, complete and enhance juniper and cider apple. After distilling separately numerous plants, in the same way as a great blend is assembled, a final selection of 8 plants was made, all of them, with the exception of juniper, belonging to the aroma universe of premium Calvados. Creating harmony among these 8 aromas was the next step, then adjusting the recipe and at last understanding that our work process would enable us only to create « small batches » as the one plant at a time distillation process imposes to keep adjusting proportions so as to obtain the best possible blend.

Here then is the first batch of Gin he produced, the only Gin incorporating 30 apple varieties and 8 different aromatics. Each aromatic is separately distilled before being blended in proportions that are unique to each batch.

Rose and lemon provide delicacy. Ginger, vanilla, cinnamon and almond give the Gin a smooth, spicy body while cardamom enhances its fruit and roundness in the mouth. Juniper and apple complement one another with their heavy or high notes, spicy or crisp.

Discover the 8 Aromaties

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Christian Drouin Gin is based on a neutral spirit aromatised with distilled apple cider. The distillate comes from more than 30 different cider apple varieties. Bitter, bitter-sweet, sweet and tart varieties are all represented, forming a rich, complex aromatic palette. In the autumn the apples are grated and pressed. The must obtained ferments slowly during the cold winter months and is then double-distilled in small copper pot stills the following year. The cider spirit obtained in this way gives Christian Drouin Gin its roundness and delicacy, and also its crispness Cider spirit is well known for its digestive properties.
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- Juniper Berries
  
  Juniper Berries
  Juniper is the dominant aromatic in Gin. In order to ensure that Christian Drouin Gin remains supple, with no harshness, it is again double-distilled after macerating. Juniper is reputed for its diuretic, antiasthmatic and digestive properties.
- Brazilian Ginger
  
  Brazilian Ginger
  The ginger used comes from Brazil. Its flavour is a perfect ally for that of the apples, adding its own spicy notes. For additional roundness it is again doubledistilled after macerating. Ginger is well known as an anti-emetic (it can be used to combat nausea) and an anti-asthmatic; also as an aphrodisiac!
- Madagascar Vanilla
  
  Madagascar Vanilla
  Guillaume Drouin uses Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar which adds its sweet, sugary flavour to the aromatic palette of the Gin. The vanilla is macerated then re-distilled. Vanilla is known as a relaxing agent and an aphrodisiac.
- Lemon
  
  Lemon
  Macerated re-distilled lemon zest brings liveliness and freshness to the Gin. It is said that lemon helps keep the blood circulating!
- Cardamon
  
  Cardamon
  Macerated re-distilled cardamom seeds add roundness and fruity aromas to the Gin, helping to make it a supple, generous spirit. Cardamom is known for its digestive, antiinfectious and energizing qualities.
- Indonesian Cinnamon
  
  Indonesian Cinnamon
  Ground to powder, macerated and double-distilled, cinnamon adds its characteristic aroma that is so often associated with that of apples in pastries. Cinnamon is a well-known antiseptic and antispasmodic agent.
- Almonds
  
  Almonds
  Blanched almonds are crushed and roasted before being macerated and distilled. They add woody, slightly toasted notes to the Gin Almonds possess recognized anti-oxidant properties.
- Rose
  
  Rose
  For its elegance and the heady nature of its fragrance, rose is a discreet but essential note in the recipe of the Gin Rose is known as a relaxing agent and an aphrodisiac.
Le Gin de Christian Drouin, Calvados Cask Finish

Based on its experience for aging Eau de Vie, the Drouin family has decided to age a limited volume of its Gin.
A few former calvados casks of 225 liters have been selected to age Le Gin de Christian Drouin.
After 6 months in the casks, "Le Gin de Christian Drouin calvados cask finish" is rounder, more complexe, with even more obvious apple flavors.
How best to appreciate Christian Drouin Gin ?

Christian Drouin Gin is prepared like any great blended spirit. The perfect proportions of each ingredient, its balance,
its elegance and its complexity allow it to be drunk straight or with ice. This is without doubt the best way to appreciate the subtlety and delicacy of its savours.
- Gin & Tonic
  
  The most traditional way of drinking
  Gin is certainly as Gin & Tonic. This
  can be prepared in many different ways.
  We recommend using a large balloon
  glass filled with ice, and adding two thin
  slices of freshly-cut apple, and possibly a
  thin slice of ginger, to the Gin and Tonic.
- Gin Fizz
  
  Another classic, prepared in
  a Shaker.
  Christian Drouin Gin: 6cl
  Lemon juice : 4cl
  Cane sugar syrup: 2cl
  Sparkling water: 12cl
  Decorate with a slice of
  apple.
- Angel Face
  
  a recipe created in 1928 as a tribute to the
  French actress Annabella: In a Shaker.
  
  Christian Drouin Gin: 3cl
  Calvados Sélection Christian Drouin: 3cl
  Apricot liqueur: 3cl
  
  You can also prepare a version of this cocktail as a long drink:
  Christian Drouin Gin: 2cl
  Calvados Sélection Christian Drouin: 3cl
  Apricot liqueur: 3 cl
  Top up the glass with Christian Drouin Poiré

Why creating a Gin ?

A Gin incorporating more than 30 different varieties of apples

Le Gin de Christian Drouin, Calvados Cask Finish

How best to appreciate Christian Drouin Gin ?