CHARLES MERLIN ON THE PODCAST EAU DE VIE

Published on April 16, 2024

To celebrate the arrival of spring, our Business Developer and TAG Brand Ambassador, Charles Merlin, is the guest of Louis-Marie de Sade on the Eau de Vie podcast. In this episode, he unveils his selection of spirits perfect to enjoy all throughout the summer.

Before delving into the main topic, Charles shares with us his journey in this industry. While spirits haven't always been a given for him, refined gastronomy, exceptional ingredients, and craftsmanship have always inspired him. For him, pleasure should hold a central place in his professional life. His experiences in the wine, beverage, and chocolate industries have strengthened this belief.

His first steps at La Maison du Whisky

Charles joined La Maison du Whisky at the beginning of THE AVANT GARDISTS project. His mission is to unearth emerging young brands and distilleries in the spirits sector, to integrate them into the TAG incubator, and to support them by offering LMDW's expertise and the visibility it provides.

Why TAG?

Charles explains that the rise of distilleries and brands is accompanied by a genuine desire for innovation and creativity. Consumers also express a growing demand for innovative, organic, and locally sourced products. Therefore, La Maison du Whisky has decided to set up the TAG platform to facilitate the connection of all industry stakeholders and meet this demand.

This model encompasses all product categories, each of which is carefully selected. TAG's uniqueness lies in its attention to the entire value chain, ensuring profitability for both producers and customers, as well as for distributors.

In this summer edition of the podcast, Charles takes us on a journey with his selection of three spirits for the summer: a Bas-Armagnac, a coffee liqueur, and a vermouth.

Bas-Armagnac from Maison Laballe

With its 3-year-old Bas-Armagnac, Maison Laballe, founded in 1820, remains true to its approach "Armagnac is Back!". The house aims to introduce this spirits to new generations, thus providing new consumption opportunities.

Perfect for summer, this spirit is best enjoyed chilled, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, adding a refreshing touch to the aperitif.

50cl, 47,3%, 44,00 €

Coffee Liqueur from La Thériaque

This liqueur is the result of a partnership between La Thériaque, a distillery in the south of France, and the Belleville coffee roastery. The coffee comes from the Finca La Folie in Guatemala, giving the liqueur a rich and authentic flavor.

This beverage can be enjoyed in a cocktail for a refined moment, or simply with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a touch of indulgence.

50cl, 25%, 39,00 €

Selvatiq Red Vermouth

This red vermouth, produced in Italy, is signed by Selvatiq, a young artisanal brand. The latter adopts a nomadic production method using wild raw materials. This involves meticulous research for the best available botanicals. This vermouth is made from wine derived from the Nebbiolo grape variety, cultivated near Lake Como.

To fully appreciate its subtle and complex flavors, it's best enjoyed alone over ice.

50cl, 16%, 60,00 €

Charles keeps us engaged in his journey by sharing with us the cherry on top: his summer cocktail. The classic Espresso Martini, renowned and easy to make but often overlooked at gatherings with friends, and occasionally absent from bar menus.