History

Bordeaux Distilling Co is an urban distillery located on the banks of the Garonne in Bordeaux. The company was established in 2018 and focuses on rye-based whiskey in a French style. They describe their products as completely imagined, designed and bottled by hand on their own terms, in small batches, with passion and without dogmatism. Over recent years they have developed Whisky Aventure - a French-inspired rye whiskey and a wide range of gin, rum, vodka and liqueur - all produced with 100% French organic grains and with no added colorants or flavors. The range emphasizes transparency and craftsmanship, and the distillery places emphasis on a close relationship with the bar/cocktail scene as well as visits and tastings.

Production and technique

The distillery sits in an urban setting and uses avant-garde production techniques to achieve greater flexibility and creativity. They stress 100% French organic grains and organic alcohol, no added flavors and no colorants. Their process includes a hybrid alembic that combines pot still, rectification column and botanical basket, enabling the production of different types of spirits. Fermentations are monitored in real time, and temperature-varying macerations as well as solid-phase distillation are used as part of their ongoing development.

Their Whisky Aventure series centers around French-inspired rye whiskey. No. 01 is aged 4 years in new French oak casks (43% ABV) with a composition of 61.7% rye, 37% barley and 1.3% buckwheat. No. 02 is aged 3 years in new American oak casks (47% ABV) with 80% rye and 20% barley. No. 03 Double Cask is a combination of 3 years in new French oak casks and 2 years in French Grand Cru Bordeaux casks (43% ABV) with 61.7% rye, 37% barley and 1.3% buckwheat. All whiskies are described as 100% French organic grains with no additives.

Products and Whisky series

Whisky Aventure No. 01 – French Oak 4 years

• Ageing: 4 years in new French oak casks
• Composition: 61.7% Rye, 37% Barley, 1.3% Buckwheat
• Alcohol: 43% ABV
• Tasting notes: A robust nose of grainy aromas, honey and peach; spicy notes and tannins from the wood; long finish.

Whisky Aventure No. 02 – American Oak 3 years

• Ageing: 3 years in new American oak casks
• Composition: 80% Rye, 20% Barley
• Alcohol: 47% ABV
• Tasting notes: A warm aroma with caramel and cocoa; toasted bread, spices and vanilla on the palate; powerful and intense finish.

Whisky Aventure No. 03 – Double Cask - 5 years

• Ageing: 3 years in new French oak casks and 2 years in French Grand Cru Bordeaux casks
• Composition: 61.7% Rye, 37% Barley, 1.3% Buckwheat
• Alcohol: 43% ABV
• Tasting notes: Complex nose with dried fruits; oxidative notes with nuances of walnut and currant; balanced and elegant finish.

Visits and experiences

The distillery offers tours and tastings: a 1.5-hour guided tour through the production with either Arnaud or Antoine, including a tasting of a spirits class (a white spirit, a liqueur and a brown spirit) and the opportunity to participate in private events for up to 20 people. Their network also includes 'Visits and Tastings' and gift vouchers for distillery tours.

Philosophy and commitment

Bordeaux Distilling Co preaches transparency and a love of well-executed craftsmanship. They emphasize 100% French organic grains, organic alcohol, no added flavorings and no colorants, as well as fresh production and small batches. They describe their approach as without dogmatism and tied to an artistic and cocktail-inspired mindset that connects the distillery to the modern food-and-drink scene. Their slogan 'From grain to glass' underscores full control over the entire process and a desire to be an autonomous, handmade and creative producer.