Further to last month’s interview with the man who founded it all, JOSHUA’s Magazine was invited to discover the wider world of Maison Ferrand.
While Cognac is so synonymous with its namesake spirit that you almost have to clarify you’re flying to the town rather than ordering a digestif, Alexandre Gabriel’s ambitions stretch far beyond brandy alone. At Château de Bonbonnet, centuries of Cognac-making tradition sit comfortably alongside one of the world’s most influential craft gins, offering a compelling insight into how Maison Ferrand continues to evolve without losing sight of its heritage.
Few spirits have done more to elevate French gin than Citadelle. Produced at the historic Château de Bonbonnet in the Charente countryside, it was launched in 1996 by Alexandre Gabriel and is widely credited as the world’s first craft gin. As Gabriel explained to JOSHUA’s Magazine, innovation has always been about respecting tradition rather than replacing it, a philosophy that’s immediately apparent throughout the estate.
Surrounded by juniper fields, Château de Bonbonnet offers a fascinating glimpse behind the bottle. Visitors are guided through every stage of production, from the aromatic spice room to the gleaming copper stills of the striking “cathedral” distillery before descending into the ageing cellars, where selected expressions rest in oak barrels. The visit concludes with a tasting of the range, while those wanting to delve deeper can also take part in mixology workshops.
Gabriel’s obsessive attention to detail is easy to appreciate through every expression of Citadelle Gin. His patented progressive infusion technique allows each botanical to be steeped for precisely the right amount of time before distillation, preserving its individual character while creating remarkable balance in the finished spirit.
The result is an elegant gin that has become a favourite among bartenders and collectors alike, earning an enviable haul of international awards.
Set against the rolling vineyards and quiet villages of Charente, Château de Bonbonnet encapsulates the region’s enduring spirit-making heritage. Cognac may be the area’s most celebrated export, but Citadelle demonstrates that the same craftsmanship and uncompromising pursuit of quality can produce something entirely different. It’s a fitting reminder of what Gabriel told us: that great spirits are ultimately shaped as much by place as by process.
That relationship between craftsmanship and place extends beyond the distillery itself. On the Île de Ré, cycling between salt marshes, traditional oyster farms and whitewashed villages offers a glimpse of the Atlantic landscape that has shaped this corner of southwest France for generations. Fresh oysters enjoyed just metres from where they were harvested reinforce the same appreciation for provenance that underpins Maison Ferrand‘s philosophy. With more than 200 kilometres of cycle paths weaving between beaches and picturesque ports, it’s easy to understand why Île de Ré has long been one of France’s most cherished coastal escapes.
The afternoon was spent ensconced in the five-star opulence of Hôtel de Toiras, the elegant 17th-century residence overlooking the harbour of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. It embodies a subdued and enduring brand of luxury, where every detail has been considered and every room has its own unique character, furnished with antiques, rich fabrics and carefully chosen artwork that reflect the building’s history. Watching fishing boats glide across the harbour as the afternoon faded into evening, I found myself thinking back to my conversation with Alexandre Gabriel. Throughout our interview, he returned repeatedly to the importance of provenance, patience and preserving a genuine sense of place. Those same values seem to resonate far beyond the walls of the distillery, finding expression across the wider Charente region. It’s an ethos that lingers long after the last glass has been emptied.
