Liqueur Royale Distillerie Pegasus

The Liqueur Royale from Distillerie Pegasus is the accomplished elder sibling of Eau d'Or, a version that returns even closer to the original 17th-century recipe once served after dinner at the court of Louis XIV. Where Eau d'Or is a luminous, contemporary aperitif liqueur, Liqueur Royale is a digestif of prestige: the same citrus fruits from Menton enriched with Yuzu for its notes of exotic freshness, aged in French oak for natural depth, complexity and roundness that cannot be matched. An after-dinner elixir in the purest French tradition, produced in the cellars of a Burgundian distillery located in Meursault, 152 metres above an underground spring of absolute purity.

Ingredients and ageing

Liqueur Royale shares with Eau d'Or its founding ingredients: lemon, sweet orange, bitter orange and Menton orange blossom, all from organic farming and distilled separately in small batch in Maxime Girardin's iStill alembics before blending. Its character comes from two major differences to Eau d'Or. First, the addition of Yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit with notes that are at once lemony, floral and slightly mandarin, which brings an exotic freshness and additional aromatic complexity that makes this royal version distinctive. Then the ageing in French oak casks, which profoundly transforms the liqueur's profile: the citrus fruits become rounded, vanilla and hazelnut from the wood envelop the natural vivacity of the fruits, the orange blossom dissolves into a creamier, silkier texture, and the whole acquires a depth and complexity that make this a true digestif of character rather than a festive aperitif. Alcohol content: 44% vol., noticeably higher than Eau d'Or, which confirms its vocation as an after-dinner digestif.

Tasting profile

The colour is a warm amber gold, enriched by months spent in oak casks, with visual depth and generosity that immediately announce the richness of the ageing. The nose shows remarkable complexity and finesse: Menton citrus fruits assert themselves with immediate intensity and aromatic precision, candied lemon, sweet and bitter orange, accompanied by the exotic and floral touch of Yuzu that brings welcome freshness and lightness. Notes of vanilla, caramel and roasted hazelnut from the oak ageing gradually enrich this bouquet with growing depth and complexity. On the palate, the texture is round, smooth and well-built, with natural sweetness tempered by the vivacity of the citrus fruits and the gentle noble bitterness of orange blossom. The Yuzu brings a fresh, slightly zesty finish that extends the tasting with remarkable elegance and persistence for a digestif of such generosity.

The distillery

Founded in 2021 in Meursault by Maxime Girardin, son of Burgundian wine growers, Distillerie Pegasus produces exceptional organic spirits from carefully selected ingredients, water drawn from 152 metres deep in the limestone rock of Meursault, and organic Burgundian cereals. Each botanical is distilled separately in small batch in state-of-the-art iStill alembics before blending. In June 2024, actress Emilia Clarke became the house's global ambassador.

Tasting and food pairing

This Liqueur Royale is ideally enjoyed neat, lightly chilled between 12 and 14°C, in a tulip glass or digestif glass, after dinner in the true spirit of its historical vocation at the court of Louis XIV. It will pair beautifully with citrus desserts such as lemon meringue tart, mandarin soufflé, warm madeleines or a few squares of white chocolate with orange. It also features in sophisticated cocktails, paired with Pegasus Vodka for an elegant signature cocktail, or with Champagne for a prestigious French touch. A bottle for the end of the meal with rare generosity and complexity, one that speaks with precision and sincerity of where it comes from and what it is.