Introducing Miss Bigarade: A Symphony of Elegance and Innovation
Overview: The Essence of Heritage and Modernity
We are excited to announce the first official limited edition of 44°N Gin, inspired by the Princess of Nerola, Marie-Anne Orsini. This exquisite gin is crafted in Grasse, the World’s Capital of Fragrance, recognized by UNESCO for its intangible heritage in aromatic extraction. The region's abundant bigarade (bitter orange tree) provides the foundation for this gin. Each part of the tree—the ivory white flowers, leaves, and twigs—are carefully harvested and their essence expertly extracted to create a joyous symphony of flavors.
Marie-Anne Orsini's love for the sun-drenched bitter orange landscape of the Côte d'Azur in spring led to the popularization of orange blossom essence as a fragrance in the 17th century. Miss Bigarade is a contemporary ode to her legacy, embodying the beauty, impact, and strength of an intelligent, purposeful woman. This orange blossom gin, crafted by the spirit alchemists of Comte de Grasse, merges old-world elegance with modern sophistication.
The French regard the orange tree as a symbol of love, longevity, and prosperity. Over the centuries, these trees have been depicted in paintings and myths, symbolizing hope and happiness. Miss Bigarade honors this heritage by transforming the iconic 44°N Gin distillate into a luxurious and innovative creation.
The Unique Distillation Process
A Unique Process to Distill the Legend of Princess Nerola
The bitter orange tree, in season between April and May in the French Riviera, is the heart of Miss Bigarade. Every part of the tree is hand-picked and processed to maximize flavor extraction and reach its aromatic potential.
The distillation process begins with the neroli flower, which blooms first. Upon harvest, the flowers are delicately placed in a maceration tank with local water and French wheat alcohol. Ultrasonic maceration uses sound frequencies to create micro air bubbles that gently break down the botanical cells, releasing their optimal flavor. This process results in a fresh flavor with a harmonious blend of floral and citrus notes, giving Miss Bigarade its light golden color.
The distillate botanical blend of 44°N Gin includes orange peel. For Miss Bigarade, we re-imagined the tasting experience using the whole orange blossom fruit—peel, pith, twigs, and leaves. These elements are steam distilled to produce an essential oil extract with *aldehydic, green, and earthy flavor notes. This process reinvents the tasting experience, offering a refreshing and surprising accord.
The expertise of Comte de Grasse is showcased in the final assemblage of the 44°N Gin distillate. The finishing touch is our own rose water, created through vacuum hydro distillation of rose petals from our farm in May. This iconic note pairs beautifully in the assemblage, adding a fragrant floral note to the bright symphony of Miss Bigarade.
The Miss Bigarade Cocktail
Experience the elegance of Miss Bigarade with this delightful cocktail:
- Ingredients:
- 40 cl 44°N Miss Bigarade Gin
- 30 cl Noilly Prat
- 60 cl Ginger Ale
- Garnish: Fresh orange twist
- Instructions:
- Pour the gin and Noilly Prat into a glass filled with ice
- Top with Ginger Ale
- Garnish with a fresh orange twist
Tasting Notes
Top Notes: Fresh hints of *aldehydic notes of neroli and bitter orange pith, enhanced by the fruity character of seasonal rose water, supported by the steady body of junipers.
Middle Notes: The earthy and green character of "petit grain" (twigs and leaves) is revealed, with neroli adding floral and sweet mandarin tonalities.
Bottom Notes: Opulent and spicy notes of orange flowers mingle with warm marmalade notes of orange peel, finishing with a slight bitterness and a rich, "gourmand" finish.
Miss Bigarade is more than just a gin; it’s a celebration of heritage, elegance, and innovation. Indulge in the timeless sophistication of 44°N Gin and let Miss Bigarade transport you to the fragrant landscapes of Côte d'Azur.
Sweet kisses from Miss Bigarade.
*Adlehydic notes became recognised in the fragrance industry with the Chanel N°5 scent. They bring clean freshness and pair very well with floral notes. They are here found naturally in the citruses of the Miss Bigarade recipe.
