Stock Level
Description
Salers Gentiane is a French gentian aperitif first made in 1885 by Alfred Labounoux in Salers (Cantal); the Salers distillery joined Vedrenne in 2006 and is now produced in Turenne (Corrèze). Bouchon's listing is the 1L bar format.
Made from Gentiana lutea root foraged in the Massif Central, washed and crushed fresh, macerated in neutral alcohol, then partly distilled. The infusion and distillate are blended with an aromatic bouquet and aged two years in Limousin oak.
Nose: Earthy gentian root, soft yellow-flower lift. Palate: Bittersweet gentian over a herbal-honeyed base, restrained bitterness. Finish: Long, root-bitter close.
Pairing: Served over ice with tonic or sparkling water as a lower-bitter alternative to Suze; built into gentian-led aperitif cocktails and stirred whisky drinks.