Episode 58 features Suze, a gentian based aperitif from France. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 20% ABV, or 40 proof and sells for about $29.

Enjoy this episode with a Suze & Tonic, or try a White Negroni.

Suze's official website: https://www.suze.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 1885 - Fernand Moureaux inherits his family distillery and sets out to save it, possibly buying the formula for Suze from Hans Keppeler, an herbalist from the village of Sonvilier in Switzerland
• 1889 - Suze is launched (but maybe it's first sold as Picotin)
• 1896 - Henri Porte, partner of Fernand Moureaux, designs the famous Suze bottle
• 1912 - Pablo Picasso creates the collage named Glass and Bottle of Suze
• 1933 - Suze sponsors the Tour de France
• 1945 - The formula is changed, adjusting the proof and adding more sugar
• 1950s-60s - Suze continues to sponsor the Tour de France
• 1965 - Pernod purchases the distillery and brand
• 2012 - Suze is first imported into the United States of America

Key Cocktails:

Suze is great on its own, but works well in the White Negroni, invented in 2001 by Wayne Collins:

White Negroni:

• 1 oz. Suze
• 1 oz. Plymouth Gin
• 1 oz. Lillet Blanc

Pour over ice and stir. Garnish with a citrus peel.

References:

YouTube Video: The Story of Suze

YouTube Video: Controversy Over The Origin of Suze (in French)

Spirits Hunter article based upon the French Origin Video

French Wikipedia Article on Suze

Swiss Article on the Origin of Suze

French Wikipedia Article on Picotin

Diffords Guide Listing for Suze

Contact Information:

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