Christian Drouin Le Gin Pira
Origin: France / 42% / Price: around 35€
When you think of high-quality Calvados, Christian Drouin is one of the first names that spring to mind. Yet the comparatively young family brand only entered the market at the end of the 1970s. But this post is not about Calvados at all, because Drouin brought out their first gin in 2015 after several years of development. Thereupon, a real passion developed over time and a whole product line followed with some special editions, such as the Pira here, limited to 8550 bottles worldwide.
The special thing about the gins of Drouin is the isolated maceration and distillation of the ingredients to blend them only afterwards before bottling, which allows more control and precision, so it can provide a cleaner result. Special concerning the Pira in particular, Latin for pear, is precisely this, the pear. Instead of apples, which are usually the focus, there are also many Calvados with a certain pear content, or even made entirely from them. Here, with our gin, the Domfront variety is used, along with only 5 other selected botanicals to keep it clean and focused. Vanilla, juniper, lemon, black pepper and orris root are used.
This leads to a very stringent result without much unneccessary components attached. Fresh, crispy pear, not at all artificial as in some marketing gins, accentuating herbal and bright notes, fresh and invigorating. A big recommendation goes out here from me, even as a not particularly big gin fan. Of course, you should consider the partners in the drink, but here I can imagine not only naturally the classics G&T, Gin Sour and Gimlet, but also various possible uses in those drinks from the 2nd row.
An example for a signature drink can be found here with the French Opulence by yours truly.
Nose:
Slightly tart, light, crispy pears, very natural and intense, a certain vanilla note and citrus zest, the juniper is present but well integrated in the background, takes little away from the pear, something root-like is there as well and a hint of dried apple chips
Taste:
For 42% it certainly has power, the dry, light pear again shines through clearly first, but compared to the nose in the mouth more clearly framed by the juniper, it retains that crispy herbaceousness to work in more classic drinks, subtle citrus notes, sweet roots and some vanilla bean, the last third also gives apple associations, rather dried ones
Finish:
Dry, but very round for a gin, at the same time nicely crisp and slightly herbal, despite the pear fruitiness the juniper comes through noticeably, also some bitter lemon zest
The bottle of Christian Drouin Le Gin Pira was kindly supplied by KIRSCH IMPORT thanks.
