Distiller Notes
Dense clusters of a wild varietal of small, pale yellow elderflowers are hand-harvested each spring from orchards in the French countryside. The intensely aromatic, delicate blossoms are naturally dried and set to macerate in small batches to extract their ambrosial fragrance and flavor reminiscent of honeysuckle, muscat grapes, rose, lychee fruit and saffron.
Èmile Giffard was a pharmacist with an inventive, curious nature and the palate of a gourmand. In the scorching summer of 1885, in the town of Angers, he was studying the digestive and cooling properties of mint. Giffard's research resulted in the invention of a clear mint liqueur, steam-distilled from the Mitcham variety of peppermint. As delicious as it was refreshing, this liqueur was immediately received with enthusiasm from the townspeople of Angers. Monsieur Giffard's elixir was called Menthe Pastille after the mint candies that were so famous at the time.
Heralded as "The Garden of France," the Loire Valley is France's second largest agricultural region and its leader in organic agriculture. The valley's farms and orchards are renowned for the quality of their produce. The Giffard distillery is located a short drive from the center of Angers, a beautiful, medieval town in the heart of the Loire Valley. Giffard sources many of its fruits and herbs for production from within a short radius of their distillery.
The Giffard Liqueurs and Syrups collection is diverse and unique, ranging from classic staples such as Cassis, Orgeat syrup and Curaçao Triple Sec, to contemporary innovations like Banane du Brèsil and Pamplemousse. The collection is anchored by the company's signature liqueur, Menthe Pastille, and then divided into Premium, Specialty and Syrup ranges. The Specialty range being classic liqueurs and Crème de fruits - lower in alcohol content, slightly higher in sugar content, creating a rich viscosity. The Premium range highlights ingredients with unique origins and specific varieties that have celebrated aromas and flavors.
First prepared by 13th century Italian monks as herbal medicines and elixirs, Liqueurs are distilled spirits that have been combined with flavoring agents. A range of herbs, spices, nuts, fruits and flowers can be used, and a sweetener such as sugar or corn syrup is often added. While typically rather sweet, some examples are herbaceous or tart and pair exceptionally well with desserts or act as a delightful addition to cocktails.