From the Distillerie de Lure to the brand from Forcalquier
The story begins in 1898 in Forcalquier, in Haute-Provence. At that time, the Distillerie de Lure was founded. Its roots go back further: in the Middle Ages, herb gatherers already traveled around the Montagne de Lure as traders and distilled their finds. In the 17th and 18th centuries, they settled in the cities of the region as druggists and pharmacists. In the 19th century, some of them became distillers.
For about 80 years, the owners changed, including the plant lover Henri Bardouin. In 1974, Alain Robert and a small team took over the house, which has since been called Distilleries et Domaines de Provence. Brands like Farigoule and Gentiane de Lure have existed since the distillery's beginnings. Others were added later. In 1990, the Pastis Henri Bardouin appeared, which is based on an older recipe called Occitanis.
Thyme from the Plateau des Mourres, spices from all over the world
The Montagne de Lure lies between the Alps and the Mediterranean. The climate there favors a great variety of plants. At the foot of the mountain, on the limestone Plateau des Mourres, thyme, savory, sage, and rosemary grow. The distillery's ingredients also include mugwort, verbena, and lemon balm. According to the house, many of these come from the area around Forcalquier.
Added to this are spices from distant countries, such as star anise from China and licorice from Syria. The plants are macerated with wine and alcohol and distilled, which preserves their aromas. At the end, there is filtration. The final tasting is done by the Maître Liquoriste before bottling. All steps take place in Forcalquier.
From Pastis Grand Cru to Gin XII: the range
The best-known product is the Pastis Henri Bardouin with 45% ABV. It combines more than 65 plants and spices, including anise, wormwood, cinnamon, cardamom, tonka bean, licorice, nutmeg, and thyme. As an aperitif, the house recommends one part pastis to six to ten parts fresh water. It is considered a pastis that also goes well with food.
In addition, there is the thyme liqueur Farigoule, the Gentiane de Lure, and the Gin XII. The range also includes the peach wine RinQuinQuin, nut aperitif and orange wine, the Vermouth de Forcalquier, and the absinthe series Absente. The specialties are sold in more than 80 countries. At the Salon international de l'agriculture 2024, Farigoule won Gold and Henri Bardouin Silver. If you happen to be in Forcalquier, you will find a boutique with a museum area in the old town.
