Sab's Alembic Bourguignon

Beaune | France

Not a half-century ago in Burgundy, a “bouilleur ambulant” or a mobile distillery, was a common sight in winemaking villages. From Marsannay to Meursault, winemakers would hand over their pomace and lees to a distiller, who would arrive at their cellar door in a modest truck fitted with a copper still, and transform on-site these winemaking leftovers into pure spirit — l’eau de vie, or the “water of life.”

Master distiller Mathieu Sabbagh has made it his purpose to preserve the tradition of the itinerant distiller in Burgundy, an artisanal calling that in recent years has been in peril of dying out completely. After many years with international spirits companies in France and abroad, Mathieu’s personal passion for France’s grand tradition of regional, character-rich craft spirits turned into possibility — a family of mobile distillers in Beaune was looking to sell, and in 2019 Sab’s Alembic Bourguignon was born.

Sab’s remains based in Beaune, the “capital” of fine Burgundy and the ideal location to showcase the transformation of one of the world’s greatest wines into a terroir-inspired collection of craft spirits. All of Sab’s creations start with a base of eau de vie de Bourgogne — a pure and vibrantly aromatic distillate of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, sourced from many of Burgundy’s most sought-after and important winemaking families.

DISTILLATES

Le Gin

Le Gin is indeed “the” gin you need, and no other! Crafted from a base of eau de vie from Burgundy grapes and 15 different botanicals, including suave aromatics from lemongrass, ginger, citrus peel and rose petals. This is gorgeous neat for its silky texture and spice; a must-have for summer gin tonics (with a stick of lemongrass instead of a traditional lime wedge) and an inspiration for many, many other cocktail creations.

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Le Pinot Gin

A beautiful pairing of the grip and perfume of Burgundian Pinot Noir with the spice and bite of a botanical-rich gin! Le Pinot Gin is smooth and aromatically enticing, the perfect base for a Negroni a la francaise, or a blushing gin Martini for all your summer soirees.

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Le Marc de Bourgogne Tres Vieux

The essence of fine Burgundy wine! Marc de Bourgogne (say: mahr) has its own appellation (AOC) to preserve its heritage and guarantee its quality. At Sab’s, pomace (called marc, in French; the solid remains of grapes after winemaking/pressing) is collected from Burgundy’s top winemakers at their cellar doors and distilled on the spot. This pure, full-bodied spirit is then aged by law for eight years in French oak barrels. The result is a smooth, energetic brandy with grip and kick, a welcome digestif after a gourmet meal with notes of red berries, spice and cooked caramel.

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Le Marc de Bourgogne Special Cask - Mezcal Finish

One of our favorite ‘Special Cask’ selections from Sab’s, a refined and limited-edition Marc de Bourgogne aged for eight years in oak casks which previously held mezcal from Mexico. A pale gold in the glass, this “Mezcal Finish” marc enchants with its delicate agave notes, its light spice and heady smoke. A gorgeous brandy enjoyed neat in a snifter with good friends; a necessary addition to any serious cocktail program!

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La Fine de Bourgogne Tres Vieille

Smooth, silky and seductive — Fine de Bourgogne is a brandy of sheer refinement, born from the distillation of wine and wine lees and aged for eight years in peerless French oak barrels. Fine de Bourgogne (say: feen) has its own appellation (AOC) to preserve its heritage and guarantee its quality. Aromas are floral and pure, with warm spicy notes; flavors are round and smooth and redolent of exotic wood and smoke. Kick back in front of a roaring fire, savor each drop after a rich meal, indulge with good friends and make time slow to a delicious crawl.

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LIQUORS

La Poire Liqueur

Sab’s sources gorgeous fruit from family farms in Provence for their luscious, summer-ripe liqueur crafted from fresh, whole Williams pears and a base of eau de vie from Burgundy grapes. Delicately sweet but abundantly juicy, this delightful liqueur is a necessary palate refresher on the rocks with a twist after a rich meal, and a perfect dessert wine alongside with a bowl of summer fruit and cream. Try also a La Poire spritzer, with Crémant de Bourgogne and a sprig of fresh mint.

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L'Abricot Liqueur

It’s hard to say what is more enchanting: a bite of a ripe, sun-filled apricot or a sip of Sab’s L’Abricot Liqueur! They both deliver the same intense, succulent joy — sweet yet tangy and light on the tongue, this delicate and juicy liqueur is irresistable. Crafted from fresh, whole apricots harvested from family farms in Provence and a base of eau de vie from Burgundy grapes. Turn back the clock with a classic Charlie Chaplin cocktail (in a Nick and Nora glass, of course) or savor in a fruity fizz for a true summer refresher.