Citadelle Jardin D'ete Gin 750ML

Citadelle Jardin d'Été Gin 750ML is a French botanical gin distilled at 41.5% ABV using 22 botanicals including yuzu, melon, and whole orange. Named Spirit of the Year and Gin of the Year with a Double Gold medal at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards, it also took Best Gin in France at the 2024 World Gin Awards — a remarkable double showing for a single expression.

Quick Facts: ABV: 41.5% (83 proof)  |  Origin: Charentes, France (Cognac region)  |  Contemporary Botanical Gin  |  Distillery: Maison Ferrand

Production & Heritage

Maison Ferrand produces Jardin d'Été at Château de Bonbonnet in the Cognac region of France, using small copper pot stills heated by open flame — a traditional method more commonly associated with Cognac production than gin. What truly distinguishes this expression is the patented "Progressive Infusion" technique: each of the 22 botanicals is macerated separately at a specific temperature and for a carefully calibrated duration, ranging from a few hours to several days, to extract optimal character from each ingredient. The yuzu zest, for example, steeps in alcohol for several weeks before distillation, drawing out an intensity of citrus aroma that quick infusion methods simply cannot achieve.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh and intense from the first approach, opening with juniper layered beneath bright citrus — yuzu peel, candied lemon, and orange zest. A second wave brings delicate violet and a whisper of fennel, adding complexity without overpowering the citrus core.

Taste: The entry is bright and zesty, led by yuzu, sour lemon, and tangerine. At mid-palate, pine-forward juniper emerges alongside a distinctive cantaloupe-like melon richness and subtle stone fruit. The overall impression is remarkably delicate yet layered, shifting from floral to spicier notes of cubeb pepper as it develops.

Finish: Exceptionally long for a gin at this proof, fading through citrus peel, toasted almond, and cumin before settling on savory grains of paradise and lingering florals. The finish rewards patience, revealing new details as it slowly recedes.

How to Drink Jardin d'Été

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the most revealing way to experience the full botanical spectrum, especially the melon and yuzu interplay. A splash of chilled tonic and a grapefruit twist makes an outstanding gin and tonic that highlights the citrus architecture. For cocktails, try a French 75 — the yuzu and lemon notes integrate seamlessly with Champagne. A Gimlet amplifies the sour citrus character while letting the melon round out the edges. A Bee's Knees is another strong match, where honey syrup complements the floral and fennel undertones without masking the juniper.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns the staples and wants something genuinely distinctive
• Summer garden parties where a citrus-forward gin and tonic is the centerpiece serve
• Bartenders building a French spirits collection alongside Cognac and pastis
• Blind tasting sessions exploring New Western-style gins versus London Dry expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jardin d'Été taste like? Jardin d'Été leads with bright yuzu, lemon, and tangerine citrus before a distinctive melon richness emerges at mid-palate, all supported by classic juniper and warm spices like cubeb pepper and grains of paradise. The finish is unusually long for a gin, trailing off with almond, cumin, and floral notes.

How does Jardin d'Été compare to Citadelle Original Gin? Both gins share the same Maison Ferrand distillery and progressive infusion method, but Jardin d'Été adds citrus-forward and fruity botanicals — particularly yuzu, melon, and whole orange — that the Original does not feature. Reviewers consistently describe it as a more contemporary and fruit-driven twist on the classic Citadelle profile, with greater intensity on the citrus and melon spectrum.

Is Jardin d'Été good for cocktails? At 41.5% ABV, Jardin d'Été carries enough backbone for shaken and stirred cocktails while its citrus-dominant profile integrates naturally into gin classics like the French 75, Gimlet, and Tom Collins. The melon and yuzu notes add an unexpected layer that distinguishes it from standard London Dry bases.

Where is Jardin d'Été made? Jardin d'Été is produced by Maison Ferrand at Château de Bonbonnet in the Charentes region of France, within the Cognac appellation. The distillery uses small copper pot stills heated by open flame, a technique rooted in the region's Cognac-making traditions.

What foods pair well with Jardin d'Été? Fresh oysters with a squeeze of yuzu or lemon echo the gin's citrus brightness. Prosciutto-wrapped melon mirrors the cantaloupe note on the mid-palate. Grilled shrimp with herb butter complements the fennel and savory spice. A citrus tart or lemon panna cotta aligns with the candied lemon and almond finish. Soft goat cheese with cracked pepper ties into the cubeb and floral undertones.

What sizes does Jardin d'Été come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed size for this expression.

Is Jardin d'Été worth the price? Jardin d'Été positions in the premium tier for botanical gins, above entry-level options but below ultra-premium small-batch releases. Its 2024 Double Gold at the Bartender Spirits Awards, Spirit of the Year recognition, and Best Gin in France at the World Gin Awards make a strong case for its value relative to competitors at a similar price point.

Why Jardin d'Été?

The patented progressive infusion technique is the clearest differentiator — very few gins on the market dedicate weeks to steeping individual botanicals before distillation, and the layered complexity in the glass reflects that investment. Sweeping both Spirit of the Year and Gin of the Year at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards, while simultaneously earning Best Gin in France at the World Gin Awards, establishes Jardin d'Été as one of the most critically acclaimed gins released in recent years. The 22-botanical recipe walks a tightrope between fruit-forward modernity and juniper-anchored tradition, delivering a gin that reads as genuinely original rather than trend-chasing. For anyone looking beyond the usual London Dry shelf and toward a French expression with real depth, this is a compelling choice backed by serious credentials.