From Sparrow’s gin list, Citadelle is a craft French gin built on 19 botanicals and an unusual open-flame distillation ($11 by the pour, or $16.50 for a larger pour).
About Citadelle
Citadelle is made in France by Maison Ferrand, based in the Cognac region. The gin blends and distills neutral spirits that have each been infused with 19 different botanicals, including juniper grown right across from the distillery itself. The distillation happens in traditional copper pot stills cooked over an open flame, a hands-on, labor-intensive approach that is unusual for gin. The brand traces its name and heritage back to the old Citadelle distillery in Dunkirk, France, where distillers were granted the right to produce grain spirit in the 18th century. Maison Ferrand revived that legacy when the gin was first released in the 1990s, and it has since become one of the most respected names in French craft gin. Sparrow also offers a rosemary and fennel infused version of Citadelle, if you want something a little more herbal in your glass.
Tasting Notes
With 19 botanicals woven together, Citadelle leans bright and aromatic, juniper-forward with layers of citrus and warm spice around it. The open-flame copper-still character gives it a rounded, slightly fuller texture than a typical London dry, which makes it as good neat over ice as it is in a cocktail.
What to Pair It With
Gin is bright and endlessly mixable. From the Sparrow dinner menu, it shines next to Fresh Oysters, Tuna Tartare, or a crisp Spring Arugula Salad, and it makes a clean, citrusy martini or spritz. Catch the daily happy hour from 3 to 5 PM ($3 off well drinks) in the 21+ lounge or out on the four-season patio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Citadelle gin from?
Citadelle is a French craft gin made by Maison Ferrand in the Cognac region, distilled with 19 botanicals in copper pot stills over an open flame.
How much is a pour of Citadelle at Sparrow in Kirkland?
Citadelle is $11 by the pour, or $16.50 for a larger pour, at Sparrow in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu alongside other gins like Monkey 47 and Hendrick’s. We are on the Eastside in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood, so reserve a table and come taste it.