Citadelle - Vive Le Cornichon Gin 750ml

Distilled at Château de Bonbonnet near Cognac, this French craft gin builds upon Citadelle's core base of 19 progressively infused botanicals by incorporating hand-harvested Burgundy pickles from Maison Marc. These pesticide-free Cucumis sativus gherkins are steeped directly into the spirit, introducing a savory, saline dimension to the distillery's copper pot-distilled French wheat base. Unlike traditional botanical gins that rely strictly on citrus peels and sweet floral modifiers, this production technique bridges traditional French distillation with pickle-brine gastronomy to deliver an intensely aromatic, savory spirit profile.

The palate carries a full-bodied weight with a lush, green core of tart gherkin, juniper, and crackling sea salt acidity. Strong top notes of aniseed and mustard seed lead into a long, sour finish layered with subtle pearl onion and pickling spice complexity. In-house testing at USQ proved its exceptional fit for savory drink applications: stir 2.5 oz of Vive le Cornichon with 0.5 oz dry vermouth over ice and strain into a chilled glass for a distinctively bracing Dirty Martini garnish, or pour 2 oz over ice topped with 4 oz Indian tonic water and a lemon twist for a crisp, botanical Highball.