History

Distillerie des Camisards – Whisky (and pastis) of the Cévennes is a small artisanal distillery that marks the Cévennes terroir through its products. The series of whiskies draws inspiration from the region's history and nature, including references to the Beast of Gévaudan and the local language (Occitan) in names such as Chuca-Raca. The distillery produces whisky, pastis and liqueur and describes itself as an ambassador for the area, with products based on its own raw materials and local partners. There are also several releases and trilogies within whisky, for example Kwercus Feuillette as the third and final chapter in a trilogy.

Production/Manufacture

Production and aging are based on barley from Normandy and maturation in French oak casks for at least 3 years. Some variants are finished in chestnut cask (fût de châtaignier) and undergo further aging in other environments. Bestia 3 (Camisard) undergoes a finish in chestnut barrels in the Salamandre cave in Méjannes-le-Clap for about 6–7 months, where temperature and humidity are kept constant and only natural exchange with the surroundings occurs; the alcohol content is naturally high (56–58% level for the 2025 edition). Some variants are aged without changes (cask strength), while other variants such as Camisard Chucaraca are reduced with rainwater and bottled at the distillery.

Kwercus Feuillette is the third and final part of a trilogy and is built on the same base as Camisard. It was originally matured for 3 years in French casks outside the Cévennes (due to the distillery's work), and finished thereafter in a Cognac cask for about 12 months. Inside the Cognac cask there has been for a year maceration of a cévenol white beer with raspberry purée.

In addition, products are produced such as Camisard Bestia 3 (cask strength), Camisard Bzzzbzzz (coarse finish with chestnut and honey), Camisard Chucaraca (Chuca-Raca) – a version that is also finished in chestnut barrel and bottled at the distillery – as well as Canisard Pastis and Safrancello liqueur. Several products are described with details of flavor notes, botanicals and local ingredients (for example Canisard de Noël and Canisard as pastis).

Products/Whisky series

• Camisard Bestia 3: Brut de fût (cask strength), aged at least 3 years in French oak casks and finished in chestnut barrel in the Salamandre cave; natural alcohol content around 57.8% vol in 2025; originally released in 450 bottles of 50 cl and later re-released annually; reference to Bête du Gévaudan.
• Camisard Kwercus Feuillette: Same base as Camisard, aged at least 3 years in French casks outside the Cévennes, finished 12 months in Cognac cask, where a cévenol white beer with raspberry purée has macerated for a year; fruity and clean fruit-forward with notes of citrus, tropical fruits, raspberry and banana; third and final chapter in the Kwercus trilogy; produced on Normandy barley, bottled as a limited edition.
• Camisard Chucaraca: Aged in chestnut barrel outside the Cévennes (during the distillery's construction phase), subsequently diluted with rainwater and bottled at the distillery; notes of floral and wild tones with honey/caramel/hazelnut, finished with chestnut notes; internationally award-winning (medals mentioned).
• Camisard Bzzzbzzz: Elixir based on the whisky from the Cévennes, finished in chestnut barrel with chestnut honey (produced under the distillery's aegis); subtle flavor notes expected.
• Coffret Kwercus: Dégustation set 3×20 cl (limited edition).
• Canisard Pastis des Cévennes (Canisard): Pastis based on anise, licorice and 20 Cévennes herbs and Mediterranean plants; high organic content (bio around 95% for certain plant ingredients); recommendations for serving without chilling.
• Canisard de Noël: Christmas-specific pastis with cinnamon, orange and cardamom; medicinal and wine-like sensation.
• Safrancello: Liqueur based on saffron from Anduze and lemon from Sicily.

Visits/Experiences

The distillery sells directly through the shop and online (VPC). There are planned visits, and the word "visite" is mentioned in connection with general information about visits, although at times visitors may be closed during summer vacation periods. There are gift boxes and a wide range of products available for purchase.

Philosophy

Distillerie des Camisards aims to share the Cévennes terroir through its whiskies and spirits, where nature and the region's history play a central role in the flavor projects. Special finishes (such as chestnut barrels and caves such as Salamandre), the use of Normandy barley and bold releases such as Bestia 3 and Kwercus Feuillette demonstrate a willingness to explore new sensory territories and tell a story through taste and aroma. The names and descriptions of the products reference local legends and languages (for example Bête du Gévaudan and Occitan names such as Chuca-Raca).