Producer: Balthazar Distillery

Monsieur Balthazar's artisanal distillery is located in Allier, a stone's throw from the Tronçais forest and its venerable oak trees. Founded by Olivier Perrier, it is now run by David Faverot, who continues a rigorous production process, focused on a distinctive house style and using locally sourced products wherever possible.

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Distillerie de Monsieur Balthazar

Sweethog Whiskey Cream

€25,00

Sweethog Whiskey Cream, 50cl

Distillerie de Monsieur Balthazar

We looked for it for a long time, we finally found it, and we are really happy. The goal was to find a creamy whisky that would hold up and meet our high standards in terms of taste and respect for the terroir. We didn't want something too mild or too sweet—we wanted creaminess, flavor, and distinction. This creamy whisky ticks all the right boxes: artisanal production, character, taste, elegance, indulgence, and originality. We had to turn to the Auvergne region, the strong personality of its terroir, and the proximity of the Tronçais forest, whose oak trees have been used for centuries to make the finest ship masts and the finest barrels for maturing wines and spirits. Sweet Hog (" Sweet Hedgehog, the distillery located in Hérisson, in the Allier region) is made from the house's Hedgehog whisky, cream, coffee and chocolate. It's delicious, we want to say ravishing (in moderation). The balance of taste is marvelous: not too sweet, very fragrant, a little creamy and comforting drop to drink on its own, very cold, to use in mixology (vos White Russian and other Alexandra will thrill with happiness, see our recipes) or on desserts.

RECIPES (COCKTAILS)

Hedgehog White Russian

For 1 highball glass: Fill the glass with ice. Pour in 4 cl of vodka, 4 cl of Sweethog whisky cream, 2 cl of coffee liqueur and 2 cl of liquid cream. Stir with a stick and serve.

Hedgehog Alexandra

For 1 whiskey or martini glass. In a shaker filled with ice, pour 4 cl of cognac, 4 cl of Sweethog Whiskey Cream, 2 cl of crème de cacao, and 3 cl of single cream. Shake, serve, and grate a little nutmeg over the glass.

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Monsieur Balthazar's Distillery owes its origins to a theatrical encounter in Auvergne. In Hérisson, in the Allier region, in 1984, Olivier Perrier met James Leva, an American actor from North Carolina, who introduced him to the production of moonshine. author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qovvz69zqgz73zub61z88zz85z5z82znz69zhbpz80zz77zz68zz122z86ce6ez81zqe h-lparen">(bootleg alcohol or, more kindly, homemade alcohol made with whatever was at hand). The years that followed, until 2000, the year the distillery was officially founded, were devoted to numerous experiments and experiences. Indeed, Olivier was keen not to imitate models from across the Channel or across the Atlantic: he wanted to create a completely original, personal and artisanal spirit, based on the whisky framework: a high-end moonshine, so to speak. For this, he uses local cereals (barley, corn, rye) and oak barrels from the nearby Tronçais forest. Next up will be gin, white rum, aged rum, an aromatic aperitif, a vodka... and a whisky cream that really caught our attention. The house is now in the hands of David Faverot, Olivier Perrier's successor.

This is the story of a true creation rooted in a terroir. Hérisson makes you think of a small, stinging animal, but it's also a village in Auvergne, in Allier, not far from Montluçon. The oak trees of the Tronçais forest are not far away; you'll see that they play a role in this story. Let's get back to Hérisson. In 1984, during the summer Théâtre à Hérisson meetings, James Leva, a musician from North Carolina, participated in the show Memoirs of a Pale Face h-lparen">(adapted in the cinema under the title Little Big Man class="author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qovvz69zqgz73zub61z88zz85z5z82znz69zhbpz80zz77zz68zz122z86ce6ez81zqe">). On this occasion, he met an actor, Olivier Perrier, future founder of the Balthazar distillery. It turns out that James is a master at distilling moonshine (alcohol) class="author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qovvz69zqgz73zub61z88zz85z5z82znz69zhbpz80zz77zz68zz122z86ce6ez81zqe"> contraband, wood alcohol, several translations exist for this fruit of Prohibition). During the weeks of rehearsal, Olivier and James decide to get back to the exercise and build a makeshift still. They will do better than moonshine: they malt barley, add corn for fruitiness and roundness, and rye for a spicy touch. Having obtained a few liters of grain brandy, they offer it to the spectators, who appreciate it. It is on this alcohol with its surprising aromas that the foundations of an artisanal distillery are laid, which will be born years later. For the moment, Olivier is starting to develop a whisky from the Tronçais region, still combining several cereals.

Producer: Balthazar Distillery

All his wines

Sweethog Whiskey Cream

Sweethog Whiskey Cream

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