History

Balbec Distillery opened in April 2023 and is located in Normandy, Calvados. According to the site, the distillery follows the traditions and produces locally, all on-site, in line with the products from Le Fils du Pôvre. The distillery was founded by distiller David Leriche, who together with Nicolas Cherrier, a caviste and owner of Le Fils du Pôvre, have managed to establish a range of spirits and liqueurs. To realize his vision, David revived an old copper still from more than a century old to be able to produce Balbec’s distillates. The distillery was recognized at international competitions: on March 22–23, 2024 Mentello won a silver medal at Lyon International Competition among nearly 9,000 entries.

Production and Philosophy

Balbec describes a strong link between Normandy and Italy, where fresh citrus fruits from Italy are imported and prepared in Normandy. From the selection of fruits to manual peeling and slow maceration, the process forms an important part of the identity. The idea behind the production follows four steps: selection and hand-harvest of fruits in Italy, transport to Normandy under controlled conditions, hand-peeling of only the most aromatic zest, and finally a month-long maceration in a wheat-based alcohol, which provides the base for Balbec’s liqueurs. Bottling and label design highlight the Norman craftsmanship and the story behind each product.

Products and types of spirits

Balbec offers two main groups of products: liqueurs and spirits. Under the liqueurs are Arancello, Limoncello, Mentello and Surello, as well as Magnum versions of Limoncello. Among the spirits are Absinthe Aquilaé, Esprit Clair (eau de vie de malt), Esprit Clair Tourbé, Gin Genny, Rhum Kannou, Rhum Vanille Indri and Vodka Taïga. Several products are described with clear flavor notes and production methods, for example Aquilaé as a fresh, expressive absinthe based on wheat and copper-distilled, and Taïga as a peppery, lemon-noted vodka based on wheat and angelica root.

Flavor notes and experiences

• Absinthe Aquilaé: typical anise, fennel and hyssop notes with a fresh menthol finish.
• Esprit Clair: a fruity eau de vie de malt, which can be used in cocktails.
• Esprit Clair Tourbé: malt-based, aged unknown, but with an elegant peat note.
• Rhum Kannou: sweet/gourmand expression with banana and exotic fruit notes, based on organic sugarcane molasses and pot still distillation.
• Rhum Vanille Indri: rum based on Cuban molasses and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla with no added sugars.
• Arancello and Limoncello: citrus liqueurs made with organic oranges and lemons from Italy and the Montague region, to achieve a balance between bitterness and sweetness.
• Mentello and Surello: Mentello is made with peppermint oil and notes of herbs; Surello is an elderflower liqueur with floral and fruity notes.

Physical framework and values

Balbec emphasizes a production style based on French craftsmanship and local production. The product names and labels reflect a connection between Normandy and Italy, and the distillery emphasizes that the work is done locally and on-site.

Production / Manufacturing

The raw materials and tools

• The copper pot still is a central part of the production and dates back more than a century.
• Fruits: Italian lemons and oranges for Limoncello and Arancello; the fruits are transported to Normandy and manually peeled to release the aromatic oils.
• Alcohol base: fresh seed material and wheat-distilled alcohol in which the maceration takes place.

Process sequence

1) Selection of citrus fruits in Italy (Latium region). 2) Transport to Normandy under perfect conditions to preserve freshness and flavor. 3) Manual peeling of the fruits, with only the most aromatic zest used. 4) Month-long maceration of freshly grated zest in a pure wheat-based alcohol, creating a rich and fragrant base. 5) Bottling and careful labeling to highlight the district’s craftsmanship and authenticity.

Products in the spirits category

• Absinthe Aquilaé
• Esprit Clair (Eau de Vie de Malt)
• Esprit Clair Tourbé
• Gin Genny
• Rhum Kannou
• Rhum Vanille Indri
• Vodka Taïga
• Limoncello
• Magnum de Limoncello
• Arancello
• Mentello
• Surello

Products / Whisky Series

Balbec describes itself as a producer of whisky in its overall catalog of spirits (incorporated in their list of spirits and eau de vie), but no concrete single malt names or other specific whisky types are explicitly mentioned in the available texts. The explicitly mentioned products relate primarily to Esprit Clair (eau de vie de malt) and Esprit Clair Tourbé, which gives the impression of malt-based spirits, but without a specific designation like Single Malt, Peated, etc.

Visits and experiences

Shop and purchase

Balbec highlights a “La Boutique” for purchases, and the products are shown in a webshop-like structure with the option to add to cart. This indicates direct sales and the possibility to buy products directly from the producer.

Philosophy

• Local production and French craftsmanship: the distillery describes a production process that is handmade and French.
• The Italy-Normandy linkage: fruits are measured and peeled in Italy and transported to Normandy for maceration and further processing, showing a partner- and terroir-based approach.
• Recognitions: Mentello was awarded silver at the Lyon International Competition in 2024, illustrating a commitment to quality results.
• The Balbec spirit: the phrase “Retrouvez l’esprit Balbec dans nos productions originales,” is used to emphasize a consistent identity and style throughout the range.