Episode 121: Bénédictine

Episode 121 features Bénédictine. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $40.

Enjoy this episode with a Béné & Hot, or just sip on it neat.

Bénédictine's official website: https://www.benedictinedom.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

1510 - Dom Bernado Vincelli, a monk at the Abbey in Fécamp, Normandy, France, creates an elixir intended to revie tired monks.
1789 - The Abbey is destroyed during the French Revolution and the monks gift documents to secular benefactor Prosper Couillard.
1863 - Alexandre Le Grand creates Bénédictine based upon a manuscript he finds in his grandfather Prosper Couillard's collection.
1864 - Bénédictine is commercialized and the bottle trademarked.
1882 - Alexandre Le Grand purchases the site of the old Abbey and builds a distillery.
1888 - Bottles are first available in the United States.
1904 - The new Le Palais Bénédictine opens after the original distillery was destroyed by arson.
1905 - An outpost for the brand is opened in Paris.
1917 - British soldiers during WWI get a taste for Bénédictine and begin drinking it mixed with hot water post war back home.
1937 - B&B, a version of Bénédictine mixed with Brandy, is first produced.
1984 - The La Grand family sells the brand to Martini-Rossi.
1992 - Bacardi purchases Martini-Rossi, becoming owner of Bénédictine.

Key Cocktails:

Bénédictine has been around for ages and prominently features in the Vieux Carré and Singapore Sling. But, you can also enjoy it like the patrons of the Burnley Miner's Club in England and drink it mixed with hot water.

References:

Wikipedia Article on Bénédictine

YouTube Video Featuring Le Palais Bénédictine - French language

The Spruce Eats Article on Bénédictine

Diffords Guide Article on Bénédictine

The Culture Trip Article on Bénédictine

Epicurious Article on Bénédictine

Liquor.com Article on Bénédictine

BBC Article and Video on the Burnley Miner's Club

Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails - Book

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com