Here is our spiritual selection of remarkable spirits to offer for the end-of-year celebrations or to enjoy with family and friends:
Brugal Maestro Reserva : Dominican excellence in a glass
THE HOUSE Brugal, emblem of Dominican rums since 1888, enriches its permanent collection with a masterpiece of refinement: Maestro ReservaThis premium rum stands proudly alongside the iconic Brugal 1888 and illustrates a unique marriage between ancestral know-how and bold innovation.
A rum forged by wood and fire
With a deep amber hue and vibrant caramel highlights, Maestro Reserva stands out for its unique aging process. This rum is the very first in the world to be refined in flamed oak barrels using an exclusive method, called Aromatic Flambéing ou Dark Aromatic Toasting. This innovative technique, imagined by the Maestros Roneros from the Brugal family, enhances the aromas by transforming the residual sugars of the wood into delicate caramel pearls, thus providing exceptional aromatic complexity.
The imprint of a visionary heiress
Conceived by Jassil Villanueva Quintana, the first female Maestra Ronera of the house and a direct descendant of the fifth generation Brugal, Maestro Reserva is the fruit of a rich family heritage spanning 135 years. With this rum, Jassil perpetuates the tradition while exploring new aromatic horizons, combining the finesse of wood and the richness of caramelized flavors.
The secret of Aromatic Flambage
At the heart of the creative process of Maestro Reserva resides a double maturation in first-fill bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. After these steps, the casks are torched while they still contain alcohol vapors impregnated from the previous refinements. This intense flambéing, comparable to flambéing bananas, gives the casks unique aromas.
The rum is then returned to these still-steaming barrels for final maturation in the tropical climate of the Dominican Republic. This process enriches the liquid with woody and caramelized nuances, without any added sugar or coloring, guaranteeing an entirely natural color and taste.
A tasting that lives up to its prestige
Maestro Reserva can be enjoyed neat or over ice to reveal its full complexity. Its nose reveals delicate woody notes, accompanied by red fruits, sweet spices, honey and a hint of smoke. On the palate, it offers a dry attack, immediately enveloped by flavors of caramel and vanilla, with subtle touches of dark chocolate, dried fruits, brown sugar and orange peel. Its finish is long, marked by smoky wood and a bittersweet brown caramel.
A tribute to the craft of rum
Brugal Maestro Reserva embodies the perfect alliance between innovation and tradition. With its unique process and complex aromas, it stands out as an exceptional rum, designed for discerning connoisseurs seeking refined taste discoveries.
An invitation to savor the quintessence of the art of Dominican rum.
Golden Eight Williams Pear
Golden Eight®: The Williams Pear enhanced by the excellence of Maison Massenez
On Grandes Distilleries Peureux Massenez proudly reveal Golden Eight®, an exceptional liqueur that combines the art of distillation, innovation, and ancestral know-how. A true tribute to the Williams Pear, this sweet gem embodies the quintessence of French excellence.
A recipe driven by legendary know-how
Golden Eight® is not just a simple liqueur; it is the expression of a passion and craftsmanship passed down for generations. Its composition rests on a precious base: carefully selected Williams Pear Eaux-de-vie, at least eight years, a guarantee of quality and finesse.
This elixir, already remarkable for its aging, is then meticulously transformed by the master liquorists from the Massenez house. The result? A gourmet liqueur with subtle pastry notes, combining fruity freshness and delicate aromas, which awaken the senses with each tasting.
The name, Golden Eight®, evokes not only the age of eaux-de-vie, but also the excellence and elegance of a timeless creation, while standing out with a touch of mystery, with no connection to a famous British spy.
A design that magnifies the liquid
The Golden Eight® experience isn't just about the contents: the container itself is a work of art. The pear-shaped decanter is a visual tribute to the liqueur's iconic ingredient. This bold and refined design, created under the direction of Bernard Baud, President of Grandes Distilleries Peureux Massenez, gives Golden Eight® an immediately recognizable character.
Its sophisticated aesthetic makes it much more than just a bottle: it is an object of desire, perfect for accompanying exceptional moments.
The Magnum Golden Eight®: Conviviality in a large format
To enhance special occasions, Massenez has created an edition in magnum format from Golden Eight®. This generous container celebrates festive moments, embodying the art of sharing and conviviality.
The magnum doesn't just impress with its size: it embodies the house's core values – excellence, tradition and modernity – while amplifying the tasting experience. An invitation to bring together amateurs and connoisseurs around a unique spirit, a symbol of elegance and indulgence.
A liqueur that seduces demanding palates
With Golden Eight®, the Grandes Distilleries Peureux Massenez prove that liqueur can be much more than a simple digestif. This liqueur masterpiece, to be enjoyed neat or on ice, reveals a rich and harmonious aromatic palette, where the sweetness of pear meets subtle touches of vanilla and delicate pastry accents.
This marriage of aromas and textures demonstrates a rare expertise, capable of seducing both amateurs looking for a unique experience and the most demanding connoisseurs.
Golden Eight®: Excellence at the heart of your precious moments
More than a liqueur, Golden Eight® is an invitation to rediscover the aromatic richness and finesse of the Williams Pear in a new light. With this creation, Grandes Distilleries Peureux Massenez perpetuates a tradition of excellence while affirming their ability to innovate and elevate the art of liqueur to its highest level.
A true must-have for lovers of exceptional spirits.
Saint James VSOP: The elegance of an old agricultural rum
Le Saint James VSOP, agricultural rum par excellence, is a celebration of Martinique's know-how and the richness of its terroir. Composed of a blend of old rums, it seduces with its finesse, to voluptuousness and its complex aromatic palette. A true invitation to discovery for lovers of exceptional rums.
Tasting: a refined sensory journey
La mahogany dress, clear and brilliant, immediately announces the elegance of this rum.
- On the nose : A generous bouquet combining cocoa and spicy aromas, enhanced by woody, vanilla, and macerated candied fruit notes. An olfactory complexity that intensifies as the rum opens up.
- In mouth : Roundness and balance dominate, offering a harmonious experience. The gourmet flavors of cocoa and ripe fruit blend with a woody, slightly vanilla structure, with a beautiful persistence.
- The final : Long and enveloping, it leaves a suave imprint, marked by nuances of caramel, sweet spices and dried fruits.
Le Saint James VSOP is ideally enjoyed neat, at room temperature, like a great cognac or whisky. This tasting method allows you to fully appreciate its aromatic richness and the precision of its blend.
A history rich in tradition and excellence
THE HOUSE Saint James, founded in 1765, is one of the oldest and most prestigious brands of agricultural rum. Its history begins with the Father Edmond Lefébure, a visionary priest and alchemist, who developed the first distillations on the Saint-Jacques estate, near Saint-Pierre, in Martinique.
To attract English-speaking markets, particularly the American colonies, the rum was named "Saint James", an English-sounding name that facilitated its export and international influence. Since then, Saint James has established itself as an essential reference, embodying the soul and tradition of Martinique's agricultural rums.
An exceptional terroir
The Saint James VSOP draws its character from the natural riches of Martinique:
- Sugar cane : Exclusively from local plantations, it is grown on fertile volcanic soils, giving the rum a unique depth and aromatic richness.
- The tropical climate : Ideal for maturation in oak barrels, it accelerates aging while developing intense and complex aromas.
- The AOC Martinique : The Saint James VSOP benefits from theControlled Designation of Origin, a guarantee of rigorous respect for traditions and impeccable quality.
The heritage of agricultural rum
Le Saint James VSOP illustrates the art of agricultural rum, a rum made exclusively from pure sugar cane juice (or "vesou"). Unlike rums produced from molasses, this method gives the rum an authentic expression of the terroir, with fresh, fruity and complex aromas.
Saint James is also a pioneer in oak barrel aging, a technique that enhances its vintages. The VSOP, aged for several years, embodies this balance between power and refinement, modernity and tradition.
A rum for all occasions
Saint James VSOP is a versatile rum that lends itself equally well to tasting and to food and rum pairings:
- In pure tasting : To appreciate its complexity and aromatic richness.
- In gastronomic pairing : It pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts, dried fruit tarts or more daring dishes like spiced duck breast.
- In mixology : Although designed for purists, this rum can also enhance classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a revisited Manhattan.
With Saint James VSOP, the Saint James house continues its commitment to quality and authenticity. This aged rum, rich in tradition and flavor, embodies the perfect blend of history and innovation. A must-have for lovers of agricultural rums and discerning connoisseurs.
For anyone looking for a refined sensory experience, Saint James VSOP is much more than a rum: it is an immersion in thelifestyle Martinican and a celebration of the ancestral know-how of the French Antilles.
Le Grand Cru Blanc-de-Noirs by Édouard Brun: An ode to the terroir of Aÿ
The Champagne House Edouard Brun celebrates the end-of-year holidays by unveiling one of its most precious vintages: the Grand Cru Blanc-de-Noirs, a true tribute to the excellence of its terroir and the know-how of its founder.
For this creation, the house delved into its history and origins, those of a visionary craftsman, Edouard Brun, a cooper by trade and a lover of Champagne. His ambition? To enhance the Pinot Noir of Aÿ, an exceptional terroir, through confidential and refined vintages intended for the most demanding palates.
A philosophy rooted in the Grand Cru terroir
Experienced cooper, Edouard Brun discovered early on the unique influence of oak barrels on wines. This artisanal know-how, combined with his passion for winemaking, shaped the identity of the house. The subtle patina imparted by barrel aging is today an emblematic signature of his champagnes.
Le White-of-Blacks Grand Cru, made exclusively from Pinot Noir from the prestigious terroir of Aÿ, illustrates this philosophy. Aged in oak barrels, this vibrant and complex champagne reveals the quintessence of its origin. A cuvée designed for enlightened connoisseurs, lovers of great champagnes and great wines.
The art of tasting: revealing all the magic of a great wine
To fully enjoy this great vintage, the right glassware is essential. Forget traditional glasses and flutes: a proper tasting glass is essential to magnify the aromas and structure of this exceptional wine.
Serving at too low a temperature is also to be avoided. This champagne deserves to flourish at a slightly higher temperature, where its complex aromas can unfold. Leave it in the glass for a few minutes: patience will be rewarded with an extraordinary sensory experience.
A vibrant and memorable tasting
In the glass, the Grand Cru Blanc-de-Noirs Édouard Brun's wine asserts itself with elegance and power. The nose offers an immersion in a rich world of black and blue fruits, supported by refined floral notes, such as faded rose, and hints of subtle spices.
On the palate, a vibrant tension accompanies the elegant structure and the characteristic freshness of the Aÿ terroir. The complex aromas of the nose linger in exceptional harmony, while the long, delicately patinated finish leaves a lingering and endearing memory.
A gastronomic champagne par excellence
This Blanc-de-Noirs is much more than a champagne: it's a great gastronomic wine, capable of enhancing the most refined dishes. It will pair perfectly with:
- game : roast venison, hare fillet in sauce.
- Baked poultry : capon, truffled chicken.
- Blue fish : mackerel tartare, semi-cooked tuna.
Its power and complexity make it an ideal ally to accompany festive meals, where it will bring a touch of sophistication to each dish.
With Grand Cru Blanc-de-Noirs, the Édouard Brun house reaffirms its commitment to Champagne excellence. This champagne, both vibrant and delicate, embodies the history and expertise of a house for which the terroir is at the heart of each creation.
For the end-of-year celebrations or any other exceptional occasion, this vintage invites enthusiasts to an intimate and gourmet celebration of the art of Champagne.
Ema Lynnx
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