It’s been quite a while since my last article for the category “Pure Spirits”. This is of course not due to a lack of potential subjects, but rather because my real priorities lie elsewhere. In combination with a chronic deficit of time that’s definitely no good combination. Anyway, today’s liqueur deserves an article like only few do.

Since it is the first liqueur I am presenting here it is at the same time also a small premiere. But why this one of all liqueurs? Well, the liqueur with the melodious name “Guignolet de Dijon” is a very special one for me. During my first visit in the Bar Le Lion in Hamburg I was very impressed by a cocktail with the unusual name “Professor Langnickel” (I will also write an article about this particular drink in the next few weeks), which contained Guignolet de Dijon cherry liqueur. It is made by the well-known manufacturing company Gabriel Boudier, which many people know for their Saffron Gin, but most certainly for their world famous Crème de Cassis, which is produced by Gabriel Boudier since 1874.

In the picturesque city of Dijon in the French Burgundy this liqueur is made from wild black cherries of different varieties (four varieties to be exact). One of them is the local small black-heart cherry “Guignes” which also became the name giver for the liqueur. The liqueur is continuously produced since the beginning of the company according to manufacturer information, but only in very small quantities, which sometimes makes it hard to find in stores or throughout the internet. With 18% vol. it turns out very harmonious and round, without any trace of pungent alcohol. One particular anecdote also deserves mentioning: The Guignolet de Dijon was highly valued by the resident Bey of Tunis during the French Protectorate in Tunisia so he decided to award the liqueur with the Nishan-el-Iftikhar Medal (the Order of Glory). Until the present day this medal is emblazoned on the neck of each bottle of Guignolet de Dijon.

Tasting notes:

Nose: On the nose you can scent intense cherry flavors that require further differentiation. Fruity and very present sour cherry notes combine with aromatic black cherries with the richness of a perfume. This combination of flavors is accentuated by interesting cherry stone-associations. The Guignolet de Dijon offers complex and impressive aroma components compared to other cherry liqueurs. Its natural character shows no trace of artificial cherry flavors.

Taste: Sweet, fruity cherries, sour cherries and a fullbodied complexity. Again notes of cherry stones, subtle and discreet associations of Amarena cherries. Very nicely balanced and harmonious.

Finish: Long-lasting and complex

Buying sources: The Gabriel Boudier Guignolet de Dijon is not always easy to find due to the small number of items. In specialized stores you may be lucky, otherwise you will certainly find a bottle online with a little patience.

(For the picture shown I opted for the Perfect Tasting Glass from the Spiegelau Perfect Serve Collection by Stephan Hinz)