Review: Citadelle Gin Rouge

Citadelle Gin Rouge features red fruits in its gin bill, but don’t get too excited: Despite the name, the gin is crystal clear. Only the label is red.

This new release is described as “a true celebration of the French tradition of distilling seasonal fruits” and it features a bevy of red fruits — all natural, no extracts — in the mix: Cranberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, and rhubarb all appear alongside the traditional 19 base botanicals in Citadelle Original.

Why red fruit? Here’s some of the backstory:

Everyone knows the power of a sensory memory: that moment when we encounter a fragrance that takes us back in time. Alexandre Gabriel, the creator of Citadelle Gin, was reminded of his childhood when he smelled the steam from his wife’s berry and rhubarb jam. He remembered how his grandmother used to make preserves with fruit from the orchards near their farmhouse. As is so often the case with Alexandre, a memory sparks an idea and soon there is a new taste sensation to enjoy. With Citadelle Rouge, Alexandre explored the historic French technique of distilling fruit, focusing on the authenticity of the fresh fruits.

Citadelle Gin Rouge Review

There is absolutely no missing the fruit here. It is clear and sweet and unmistakable, though nose bright with currants and blueberries foremost, giving the aroma a bit of a creme de cassis character. It’s also surprisingly chocolatey, which only adds to the sensation of sweetness — a gin that feels built more for the bakery than the bar.

The palate hardly mixes things up. While the bite of piney juniper adds an herbal touch, the fruit will simply not be ignored. Again currants dominate, filtered through rose petals and some citrus peel, the milk chocolate giving the late-game a touch of Christmas orange chocolate flavor. Notes of vanilla give the finish a kind of strawberry custard quality, though again an edge of juniper keeps you on your toes.

Fun stuff (much like Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale) but it needs the right drink to shine. An appropriate cocktail recipe follows.

83.4 proof.

A- / $30 

Citadelle Rouge Bramble
2 oz Citadelle Gin Rouge
.5 oz crème de mure blackberry liqueur
1 oz fresh lemon juice
2 bar spoons simple syrup
lemon wheel and blackberries, for garnish

Combine gin, lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled and strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Slowly pour the crème de mure over the top of the drink. Garnish with a lemon wheel and blackberries.

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