Le Vadrouilleur Pastis Anista

Overview: The Le Vadrouilleur Pastis Anista at a glance

• Silver Medal Winner at the 2024 London Spirits Competition
• Silver Medal Winner at the 2025 Concours Général Agricole
• Artisanal pastis from Sault in Haute-Provence
• Produced by the family-run Le Vadrouilleur distillery
• Made from selected regional plants and herbs

Portrait: What makes the Le Vadrouilleur Pastis Anista special

Some bottles tell a story. Le Vadrouilleur’s Anista tells the story of an entire family—and of how, sometimes, you have to travel quite far to return to your roots.

The Le Vadrouilleur distillery is located in Sault in Haute-Provence, on the Albion Plateau, not far from Mont Ventoux. It was founded in 2022 by Didier, Claire, and their son Théo Arnulf.

The family is by no means new to the distilling business; they have been producing essential oils—particularly from lavender—for generations. In total, the family boasts around 30 years of experience in distilling aromatic plants.

Then came Théo. He spent several years abroad—living in places like Portugal and Eastern Europe—and gained experience in the hospitality industry and the spirits sector. Eventually, this period of "wandering" (or *vadrouiller* in French) gave way to a purposeful return home: back to Sault, back to the family, and back to distilling. The distillery’s name practically chose itself.

Following the release of Gin Mistello, the pastis Anista was launched in 2023. It is produced using artisanal methods and regional botanicals, including anise, licorice, bay leaf, thyme, sage, and lavender. The botanicals undergo maceration before being blended to create the finished pastis. The spirit is based on grape pomace, and the pastis is bottled at 45% ABV.

Anista has also already gained international recognition through awards: it won a silver medal at the London Spirits Competition 2024. This was followed in 2025 by another silver medal at the Concours Général Agricole. Not bad for a pastis hailing from a place where people evidently prefer focusing on lavender rather than the stress of the big city.

In short: Le Vadrouilleur Anista is Provence in a bottle—crafted with care, rooted in family, and with a story that speaks of wandering yet always leads back home. A rather appealing backstory for a pastis.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Le Vadrouilleur Pastis Anista tastes like

• Nose: Clear and distinctive on the nose, opening with a pronounced anise note. Underlying this are delicate herbal aromas reminiscent of the Provençal landscape. Licorice rounds out the aromatic profile, while subtle floral and spicy nuances add depth. Overall, the bouquet comes across as Mediterranean, herbal, and pleasantly complex.
• Palate: On the palate, the Anista is aromatic and balanced. Anise takes center stage, accompanied by licorice and various herbs. Notes of thyme and sage lend the pastis a spicy, Mediterranean character, while lavender adds a floral facet. The interplay of flavors feels artisanal and distinctive, with no single component dominating the entire profile.
• Finish: The finish is persistent, defined by herbs and anise. Licorice remains present in the background as the spicy and floral impressions gradually fade. All in all, the Anista leaves a clean, aromatic, and pleasantly long-lasting aftertaste—fitting for a pastis that confidently showcases its Provençal origins.