Gabriel Boudier Cassis 750ML

Gabriel Boudier Cassis 750ML is a PGI-certified crème de cassis from Dijon, Burgundy, bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format. This expression earned a Double Gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge London 2024, reinforcing Gabriel Boudier's dominance in the category after being named ISC Supreme Champion in both 2013 and 2014.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Dijon, Burgundy, France  |  Crème de Cassis (Blackcurrant Liqueur)  |  Distillery: Gabriel Boudier (est. 1874)

Production & Heritage

Gabriel Boudier has been producing liqueurs in Dijon since 1874, placing the house at the geographic and historical heart of French cassis production. This expression features the prized Noir de Bourgogne blackcurrant variety, which is frozen immediately after harvest to lock in freshness. The frozen fruit is then macerated in neutral spirit six times per year — a distinctive process designed to capture peak aromatics without oxidation. Cold-processed sugar is added with no artificial colors or preservatives, and the 20% ABV is intentionally higher than many competitors, as the house considers this level to provide optimum fruit saturation. The liqueur carries a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for Crème de Cassis de Dijon, a certification established in 2013.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Immediately expressive, opening with powerful, concentrated blackcurrant that gives way to a gently peppery, spicy quality. Beneath the bold fruit, there are subtle vegetal undertones — hints of oregano and bell pepper that add unexpected complexity.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and velvety, delivering a luxurious balance of sweet and tart cassis. At mid-palate, the dark, plush berry flavor intensifies, supported by an earthy, almost savory depth that distinguishes it from one-dimensional competitors. The fruit presence is pure and focused without tipping into cloying sweetness.

Finish: Long-lasting and clean, with the deep violet-hued blackcurrant lingering well beyond the final sip. The finish retains a balanced tartness and gentle spice that fades gracefully rather than abruptly.

How to Drink Boudier Cassis

Chilled and neat in a small measure, Boudier Cassis showcases its full aromatic range and velvety texture. It also performs exceptionally well in classic cocktails where blackcurrant intensity is the anchor. A Kir — the definitive Burgundian apéritif — is its natural home, where its concentrated fruit stands up to dry white wine without being overwhelmed. A Kir Royale elevates the pairing with Champagne, and the liqueur's tartness and body provide essential balance. In a Bramble, Boudier Cassis substitutes beautifully for generic blackberry liqueur, adding deeper fruit complexity and a peppery edge that sharpens the gin base.

Best For

• Building a well-stocked home bar with essential French liqueurs
• Hosting dinner parties where Kir Royales serve as the welcome drink
• Gifting a food and wine enthusiast who appreciates Burgundian terroir
• Adding depth to desserts, sauces, and culinary preparations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Boudier Cassis taste like? Boudier Cassis delivers intensely concentrated blackcurrant flavor balanced between sweet and tart, with a distinctive earthy, peppery complexity and a velvety, full-bodied texture that lingers on the palate.

How does Boudier Cassis compare to Lejay Lagoute Crème de Cassis? Both are benchmark Dijon cassis producers — Lejay Lagoute won the ISC Supreme Champion title in 2015, while Gabriel Boudier claimed the same honor in 2013 and 2014. Boudier's expression is noted for its earthy, spicy complexity and higher 20% ABV, while Lejay is often recognized as one of the original commercial cassis brands dating to 1841.

Is Boudier Cassis good for cocktails? It is one of the strongest choices for cocktails, as its concentrated fruit, balanced sweetness, and 20% ABV give it enough body and intensity to hold its own against base spirits, wines, and sparkling wines in drinks like the Kir, Kir Royale, and Bramble.

Where is Boudier Cassis made? Boudier Cassis is produced by the Gabriel Boudier distillery in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy in eastern France, a region historically synonymous with blackcurrant liqueur production. The liqueur carries a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) as Crème de Cassis de Dijon.

What foods pair well with Boudier Cassis? Dark chocolate truffles mirror its deep fruit intensity. Duck or game dishes benefit from a cassis-based sauce or glaze. Aged goat cheese creates a compelling sweet-savory contrast. Lemon tart or cheesecake pairs well with its balanced tartness. Fresh berries drizzled with the liqueur make a simple, elegant dessert.

What sizes does Boudier Cassis come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Boudier Cassis worth the price? Boudier Cassis positions as a premium crème de cassis within a category that ranges widely in quality, and its PGI certification, Noir de Bourgogne fruit, unique freezing-and-maceration process, and Double Gold ISC 2024 medal place it firmly at the top tier of commercial blackcurrant liqueurs.

Why Boudier Cassis?

The six-times-a-year maceration of frozen Noir de Bourgogne blackcurrants is a production step that few competitors replicate, and it results in the intense, layered fruit character that defines this bottling. Gabriel Boudier's consecutive ISC Supreme Champion wins in 2013 and 2014, followed by a Double Gold in 2024, provide independent verification of consistent quality over more than a decade. The PGI certification guarantees geographic authenticity in a category where many products are made outside Burgundy with inferior fruit. For anyone serious about the Kir, the Kir Royale, or culinary applications, this is a cassis that delivers the concentration and complexity the drink and the tradition demand.