Pastis Normand

Profile: The Pastis Normand at a Glance

• Made in Le Havre by Maison Bouvier - Distillerie de la Seine
• Aged in former Calvados Casks for a regional accent
• Awarded the “Saveur de Normandie” label
• Produced with spring water from the Seine and local herbs

Portrait: What makes the Pastis Normand special.

The Pastis Normand is essentially the classic French aperitif with rubber boots - firmly rooted in Normandy, but with a fine Calvados barrel finish that adds the finishing touch. The recipe? Classic with anise and licorice, but definitely not from yesterday - thanks to aging in Calvados Casks, this fine wine takes on a charming hint of apple from the neighborhood.

The whole thing is produced by Maison Bouvier in Le Havre, where they know how to turn herbs into more than just tea. The Distillerie de la Seine, founded in 2021 by Manuel Bouvier, continues a four-generation family tradition – distilling is clearly in their DNA, probably right after cider.

The 0.7-liter bottle with 45% vol. not only contains a lot of character, but also the “Saveur de Normandie” seal, which roughly says: “I'm from here - and proud of it.” It is distilled in a fine copper alembic from a German manufacturer, using the purest Seine spring water and herbs that were probably previously on first-name terms with Norman apple trees.

In short: A true local hero among pastis - charming, sustainable, handmade. Santé!

Tasting Notes: This is what Pastis Normand tastes like

• Nose: Classically spicy with distinct aniseed aromas, accompanied by a pleasant nuance of licorice - subtle fruit aromas from the Calvados Cask aging provide a charming, slightly fresh complexity - herbal undertones and a hint of floral aroma elegantly round off the bouquet
• Palate: Soft and balanced with the typical interplay of aniseed and licorice in the foreground - the Calvados Cask aging brings a fine fruitiness that blends harmoniously with herbal and light floral accents - Full-bodied and pleasantly structured
• Finish: Medium to long, with lasting warmth and gentle anise and herbal notes - the fruity Calvados note lingers subtly and gives the finish a regional character with gentle elegance - clear and clean in the aftertaste