Creme Yvette Liqueur (750ml)

Growing up as a scion of the venerable Philadelphia-based Charles Jacquin et Cie liqueur company, young Robert Cooper became fascinated with the defunct products that lined the “memorial” wall in the office of the company’s plant manager. “I kept asking questions about this unusual product called Crème Yvette,” he says. “Nobody thought much of it.” Until Cooper resolved to revive the elixir. He could afford to gamble: His most recent venture into distilling had been the popular elderflower-flavored liqueur St. Germain in 2007. And he had no problem locating the recipe: The formula for Crème Yvette had been in the family since Cooper’s grandfather acquired the rights to it from Sheffield of Connecticut back in the 1930s.

Yvette was taken off the market in 1969. “We couldn’t track down the same raw materials,” says Cooper. The original suppliers had faded away. So, new purveyors of the needed ingredients were found. He sourced dried violet petals from Provence, and the berry maceration (a mix of blackberries, red raspberries, wild strawberries and cassis) from Burgundy. A spice blend of honey, orange peel and vanilla completed the flavor profile. (The influence of the berries and vanilla, and a more viscous mouthfeel, set it apart in terms of taste from the more violet-dominated Crème de Violette already on the market.)

There’s just one thing Cooper was unable to discover during his years of research and experimentation: Exactly who was Yvette? “I have been searching for the answer to that question for years now. Nobody seems to know.” - Introductory notes sourced from www.imbibemagazine.com. Story by Robert Simonson.size>

Tasting note: Viscous, pale ruby hue with a cherry red heart. A sweet floral top note hovers over scents of candied berries (raspberry / cranberry / blueberry?). A hint of pomegranate and a faintly medicinal edge make for an intriguing sniff. Soft, glycerous entry sees the palate reflecting the aromas with intense ripe berry / fruit jube notes and a pleasant spiciness adding depth. Luxurious texture; finishes clean and fresh with excellent balance. More than one taster found this reminiscent of old style cough lollies. It nevertheless makes a stunning contribution to a glass of dry sparkling wine. 27.75% Alc./Vol.

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