Gin XII - An Authentic Expression of Provence Held in a Bottle
A rich and flavorful dry gin produced in the South of France at Distilleries et Domaines de Provence, Gin XII (86 proof) is the new and distinguished addition to the American spirits landscape. Gin XII is obtained from 12 plants and spices - hence the symbol XII, which reads twelve from the ancient Roman Numeral system. The majority of these ingredients are harvested in Provence, making the gin a true and authentic expression of this region.
Distilleries et Domaines de Provence has distilled plants and spices for over 120 years -since its foundation in 1898 - leading to the production of some of the most acclaimed herbaceous spirits on the market like Absente and Henri Bardouin Pastis. Throughout its history, the distillery has gained the know-how and the experience to obtain the right recipe for a dry gin that has a rich and authentic taste and reflects the Haute-Provence area and its distinctive botanicals.
Gin XII is distilled in a copper plate column still, and it is made with five different distillates: one with eight plants and spices that are macerated in alcohol and then distilled together; and four from single plants which are distilled individually after each one is macerated in alcohol.
The very essence and main ingredient of Gin XII is, of course, juniper, which adds its peppery resinous flavor. The additional eleven botanicals - coriander, sweet almond, thyme, angelica, grains of paradise, iris, cardamom, basil, rosemary, eucalyptus, and mint - are selected to magnify the juniper flavors, while still keeping it prominent, making it richer and more complex. As a result, Gin XII stands out for its fresh, minty, floral, and slightly spicy notes, as well as lingering flavor.
The bottle was designed to accurately reflect the recipe: the number XII is displayed in the center, surrounded by the ingredients, which are meant to form an oval - a symbol of harmony - and are drawn in white - a representation of the purity of each one of them.
“The production of Gin XII came as a natural next step for our distillery,” says Alain Robert – the owner of Distilleries et Domaines de Provence. “Our region is famous for the abundant growth of herbs and spices, including one of the most flavorful wild junipers you can find in Europe, as many gin experts told us. We had the distillery and we had the right experience and know-how of the distillation process of other spirits. Our idea was to create a gin where all the herbs are balanced, where the juniper and its aromas have to be sublimated, not submerged, by the other botanicals. Now, after 5 years spent perfecting the recipe, we feel that we are finally ready to share our Provençal version of gin with customers and aficionados alike.”
Gin XII is imported in the US by Crillon Importers, the New Jersey-based company founded by iconic spirits marketer Michel Roux, the “father” of Absolut Vodka and Bombay Sapphire Gin, who is also the man responsible for introducing Absente and Henri Bardouin Pastis to the American market. Currently, Crillon imports Rhum Barbancourt, Absente, and Henri Bardouin Pastis. As a start, Gin XII will be distributed in a selected number of states, including Florida, New York and New Jersey.
