Because the cocktail neighborhood evolves, Fontbonne goals to fill the void amid demand for premium natural liqueurs.
Fontbonne
As bartenders throughout the U.S. face a rising scarcity of chartreuse, Fontbonne, a historic French natural liqueur, is making its first leap throughout the pond to offer another within the premium liqueur market.
Initially based in 1874, Fontbonne is distilled from 26 botanicals—together with herbs, roots and spices—sourced from all over the world. This recipe, which had been forgotten for greater than a century, has been introduced again to life to supply a flexible liqueur that can be utilized in a variety of cocktails.
The timing of Fontbonne’s U.S. launch is strategic, as shortages of chartreuse have left bartenders with restricted choices for premium natural liqueurs.
“There’s a rising appreciation for artisanal and traditionally vital spirits amongst trendy customers,” Tony Terlato II, vice chairman at Terlato Wine Group, the U.S. importer for Fontbonne, stated in a Zoom interview. “Individuals are more and more thinking about distinctive, heritage-rich merchandise that supply a narrative together with high quality. The U.S. market, particularly, has seen a resurgence in cocktail tradition and a requirement for premium components.”
By bringing Fontbonne over now, Terlato stated the corporate is each aligning with these developments and offering bartenders and cocktail fans with a high-quality, storied liqueur that can be 20 proof much less, maybe tangentially tapping into the decrease ABV motion as effectively.
“Fontbonne is poised to fill the void left by chartreuse shortages,” Terlato stated.
Chartreuse, a natural liqueur historically made by Carthusian monks in France, has been going through provide shortages as a result of resolution by the monks to prioritize their monastic life-style over rising manufacturing, as detailed by the New York Times final 12 months.
Regardless of rising world demand, particularly amongst bartenders, the monks have chosen to cap output to take care of the stability of their non secular duties. This shortage has led to difficulties for bars and eating places (and customers at dwelling) counting on chartreuse for cocktails, prompting them to seek alternatives whereas remaining loyal to the product’s distinctive taste profile.
Chartreuse usually has a fancy, natural taste with a stability of sweetness, bitterness and spice. It options notes of anise, mint, citrus and varied botanicals, with hints of honey and saffron. The liqueur is available in two varieties: inexperienced chartreuse, which has a sharper, extra intense style with stronger natural and peppery flavors; and yellow chartreuse, which is milder, sweeter and extra honeyed. Each variations have a singular, earthy depth, attributed to the roughly 130 herbs and vegetation utilized in its recipe.
Florian Migeon, advertising and marketing director of Fontbonne, stated that Fontbonne distinguishes itself from different natural liqueurs by means of its proprietary, albeit smaller, mix of botanicals than conventional chartreuse.
“It affords a harmonious mix of natural and spice notes, whereas permitting sharpened palates to unseal a few of its key parts individually alongside the tasting expertise,” Migeon tells Forbes. “Its taste profile is extra expressive and delicate than many different natural liqueurs, whereas protecting a crisp, refreshing palate that appeals to each basic liqueur fans and trendy mixologists.
Fontbonne was initially the brainchild of Louis-Jean Fontbonne, an entrepreneur recognized on the time for producing a spread of natural liqueurs. He created Fontbonne Verte (basically a comparable model of inexperienced chartreuse) as the ultimate achievement of his profession.
“The choice to reintroduce Fontbonne Natural Liqueur stems from a resurgence of curiosity in premium, artisanal spirits with wealthy histories,” Migeon stated. “There’s a rising appreciation for merchandise with authenticity and heritage, particularly within the cocktail world.”
The manufacturing course of for Fontbonne has remained largely unchanged for over 150 years, with key components of the recipe saved secret by Maison Fontbonne in Dijon, France. The distillation entails macerating the botanicals and distilling them in small batches, making certain the standard and consistency of every bottle.
“By adhering to many of the authentic recipe, Maison Fontbonne ensures the liqueur’s distinctive id and heritage stay respectable,” Migeon stated. “In in the present day’s market, the place authenticity and provenance are extremely valued, sustaining this conventional recipe is a energy for connecting with discerning customers who respect heritage-driven merchandise.”
Along with serving as a substitute for chartreuse, Terlato means that Fontbonne can be a very good substitute in cocktails the place it could substitute chartreuse in addition to utterly new creations with different spirits equivalent to gin, vodka or tequila.
“Bartenders are always searching for methods to distinguish their choices,” Terlato stated. “Its potential to enrich a variety of spirits and mixers ensures that it is going to be a invaluable addition to any bartender’s repertoire.”
