L'Eau Folle Gin 2G

Génépi and juniper meet in 2G, the signature gin of Distillerie L'Eau Folle in Moûtiers, in the Tarentaise valley. Certified organic, it has a strength of 40% ABV. Its makers describe a recipe developed from sprigs of génépi and a blend of berries, grains and aromatic ingredients; the génépi is subtle, while juniper remains the dominant flavour. That balance anchors the gin locally without displacing its classic juniper character.

Organic · Herbal

The producer describes the nose as resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary and the palate as fresh, with wild mint impressions and a very slight bitterness. Juniper brings the dry, pine-like foundation, while génépi contributes an alpine herbal note. The supporting blend of berries, grains and aromatics rounds out the tasting. Its landmarks are a juniper-ledJuniper-forwardA classic profile where juniper clearly dominates, with resinous, piney notes.Glossary taste, a restrained génépi note, freshness and a faint bitter edge. At 40%, the gin retains enough presence for a neat tasting as well as for cocktails.

L'Eau Folle was founded in Moûtiers by two childhood friends from the valley, who set out to preserve local distilling traditions and highlight regional produce. The distillery works with copper pot stillsPot stillA traditional still, often copper, that distils in batches. It keeps more texture and character than a column.Glossary and gathers many plants and fruits from the surrounding valleys; it describes its range as organic and shaped by seasons and harvests. The distillery presents 2G as a sipping gin: chill the glass and the gin, pour 5 cl neat into a small tasting glass, add one small clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary cube if desired, and garnish with a few juniper berriesJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary and a small génépi sprig. A simple gin and tonic with a dry tonic also keeps the juniper clear and lets the alpine herb remain in the background. It also suits a MartiniDry MartiniGin and a little dry vermouth, stirred over ice and served in a well-chilled stemmed glass, with an olive or a twist.Glossary or a short, spirit-led cocktail. Use a restrained mixer rather than a strongly flavoured tonic, so the resinous nose, freshness and delicate bitterness remain perceptible.