Distiller Notes
Hans called on dear friend and respected winemaker, Angelo Gaja, who happened to know growers of the most fantastic hazelnuts on the planet. This bottling is not technically an eau-de-vie; the base of this rich spirit is estate-grown Mulan winter wheat, as hazelnuts do not have the sugar content needed for fermentation. The hazelnuts are macerated in the base spirit, yielding an opulent, sweet-and-savory aroma, with a deceptively dry finish.
Proof: 84
Eau de Vie, or ‘water of life,’ is a term in France that refers to any unaged or newly-made spirit in general. However English-speaking countries follow a narrower definition, applying the name only to clear, unaged Brandies that are twice distilled and made from fruit other than grapes. Many fine examples of Eau de Vies are produced all over the world.