La Gauloise Liqueur Bicentenaire Jaune

La Gauloise Bicentenaire Jaune is a traditional French herbal liqueur produced by the Distillerie du Centre in Limoges, based on an original recipe dating to 1783 that draws on over thirty carefully selected herbs, roots and spices. The recipe is attributed to the pharmacist Edouard Requier, who worked from an old plant book, and the liqueur is still macerated, distilled and processed by hand in the traditional way. Bottled at 40%, this yellow version is the gentler of the two house expressions.

The nose is gentle herbs with aniseed, honey, fine citrus notes and floral nuances, the palate round and balanced with sweetish herbs, mild aniseed, spices and a slight bitterness, finishing pleasantly long, warm and harmonious. Behind the bar it brings a soft herbal sweetness, aniseed and a light bitter edge, the way a herbal digestif does, which lets it carry a herbal cocktail or refine a dessert or sauce. It is good neat or over ice, and works as an aromatic aperitif with a little cold water or soda. Serve it well chilled as a digestif.