Meet the maker of Avem Hippolais Gin

MEET THE PRODUCER: MAISON DE MOUNICQ

Our February 2020 box edition featured ultra-premium gin from southwestern France: Gin Avem Hippolais from Maison Mounicq.

Since the founder, Cedrik Nadé, comes from a family of Bordeaux winegrowers, he said to himself: "If we can make excellent wines with Bordeaux grapes, why not also make sublime spirits? After launching his first spirit, Vodka Nadé, Cedrik wanted to involve his brother Axel in his adventure. He decided to collaborate with him to launch a range of experimental gins that would highlight their personalities. The requirement, the rigor and the Cedrik's taste for detail were put to the test in his first creation, as well as his little brother's creativity, ardor and carefree attitude. To do so, they met passionate and exciting distillers who put their expertise and know-how at the service of their experiences.

Avem Hippolais is a London Dry Gin, which is distilled in small batches in collaboration with Christophe Gauville, master distiller of cognac at the Distillerie des Moisans. The first batch of Gin Avem (1188 bottles) was distilled in November 2019 and bottled in two batches in November and January.

To symbolize this trip and especially this collaboration, they chose the name Avem which means birds in Latin. Son of an ornithologist, this choice of name was obvious to both of them. Cradled by their songs, Cedrik and Alex love everything birds embody, starting with freedom - a guideline for the creation of their gin.

Gin Avem is made using the double distillation process, using Charentais stills. The neutral alcohol base used is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sémillon harvested in the Bordeaux region. As it is not a grain alcohol based gin, it is 100% gluten free.