A visit to Distilleries de Provence
France, our home away from home, and the core of Maison Vauron makes visiting the motherland a whole lot more special. Our Creative Coordinator Lucie took a trip back home and had the pleasure of going on a tour at Distilleries de Provence in Forcalquier. Read her story below.
“A few weeks ago I met the owner Alain Robert and his son Jean-Baptiste at their stand at the Forcalquier market, where I had the pleasure to taste the amazing Henri Bardouin Pastis. A few days later I was lucky enough to be taken on a tour of their Distillerie.
Jean-Baptiste walked us through the showroom, the laboratory, the tasting room (where they taste each product to ensure consistency), the aging room and then the manufacturing where the bottling, labelling and packing takes place. A room full of bright yellow and red colours, a very Provencal feel.
Their products are in high demand not only in France but also internationally, they are happy with our sales in New Zealand!
Eventually, I discovered brand new shinning barrels. They also have beautiful posters of Henri Bardouin around the property.
After my tour, I headed to their boutique in town and bought some glasses and Grande Absente - it’s the real absente with the original percentage of Absinthe, you should check it out!” - Lucie
Established in 1898, Distilleries et Domaines de Provence inherited a tradition that goes back several millennia: collecting medicinal plants on Lure mountain, known for its wealth and abundance of plant species. They have made their mark through the wide range of quality liqueurs they produce - the excellent Henri Bardouin Pastis, the traditional qualities of the Absente range and particularly the audacious Crème d’absente.
In 1974, Henri Bardouin retired but continued to work with the new team headed by his son, Jacques Bardouin, and Alain Robert. The latter is still in charge now with his son Jean-Baptiste, selling to over 60 countries around the world.
We have many producers that we’ve built relationships with and proudly stocked on our shelves for many years, Distilleries de Provence being one of them. It’s experiences like these that have made our relationship what it is today.
Lucie’s favourite Distilleries de Provence products:
Pastis Grand Cru Henri Bardouin
A keeper of mixed traditions, protecting more than 65 ingredients including anise mixed with angelica, sagebrush, and star anise; cinnamon mixed with cardamom, cornflower and tonka bean; cloves mixed with grains of paradise, peppers and balm; liquorice mixed with nutmeg, rosemary, sage, thyme and many others that are all a closely guarded secret.
Matching the original traditional recipes, with more absinthe, less sugar. All eyes will be instantly captivated thanks to its clear and shiny light green colour with yellow undertones. Absinthe infusions and essences, mugwort and star anise, aniseed alcohol, balm and mints lend Grande Absente its special bitter flavour. It has the unique taste of absinthe.
