about

Who
we are

Authentic Spirits
Uncompromised Quality

Maison Ferrand is one of the world’s premier independent producers of fine spirits and the pioneer of the historical spirits movement. The company was founded in the Cognac region of France by Alexandre Gabriel in 1989 with a mission to preserve and revive traditional production methods that capture the true expression of the spirit.

Tradition,
Reimagined

Our reverence for authentic terroirs and ancestral savoir-faire is matched by the imagination and creativity of Maison Ferrand’s teams around the world. Now distributed in over 120 countries, our award-winning cognac, gin, rum and liqueur brands honor centuries of history while opening up new horizons.

Impossible Is Not Ferrand!

Maison Ferrand leads the industry in research, innovation and education – always learning from the past, trying new things and sharing our discoveries.
Every product we dream up reflects that collaborative spirit and our core belief: “impossible n’est pas Ferrand” (impossible is not Ferrand).

Our
values

We’re in it together !

Maison Ferrand is not just a family-run company – we are part of a community of growers and distillers, bartenders and spirit historians, connoisseurs and collectors. Our development since 1989 is fueled by genuine partnerships with our suppliers, distributors and customers. Together, we create products we believe in and share the joy of doing what we love.

Our People,
Our Wealth

The Ferrand community includes distillers at the historic Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados whose expertise is second-to-none; cellar masters in Cognac who tend to cobweb-draped barrels of eaux-de-vie for years, or even decades; vineyard managers who nurture their vines like protective parents; doctorates in oenology who unveil the potential in each all-natural ingredient and transform them into the highest-quality spirits. It’s coconut farmers and sugarcane mills in the Caribbean, vineyard managers and brand strategists in France, dedicated distribution teams in Germany and the UK, sales teams across the US and a network of fellow spirits makers eager to swap ideas.

Curiosity Distilled

What
if…?

Thanks to the collective expertise of our extended Maison Ferrand family, we are always dreaming up new ways to create unforgettable flavors. Inspiration comes from crumbling old documents that recount the history of double-ageing cognac and rum, or from the many varieties of lemons growing in our Orangerie at the Château de Bonbonnet. We are always asking “what if?”

What if we... Mature our spirits in a boat on the Seine?

What if we... Infuse Citadelle gin with red berries and rhubarb… or cornichon pickles!?

What if we... double-age our Ferrand eau-de-vie in chestnut barrels?

What if we... Build a new pot still with reclaimed copper, based on 19th century blueprints cached in our Distiller’s Vault?

It Starts with a Spark

Each idea sparks months (sometimes years!) of research and experiments to refine the concept and hone the balance of flavors. We partnered with spirit historian David Wondrich to create the classic Dry Curaçao, and a brotherhood of bartenders to craft the ultimate dark rum for tiki cocktails.

That spirit of collaboration and creativity has earned Maison Ferrand over 600 prestigious industry awards across all of our brands. We couldn’t be more proud of our talented teams and their limitless imagination.

Our mission

TODAY’S MISSION,
TOMORROW’S VISION

Since our inception in 1989, we have pursued one goal: to create unique and delicious spirits that respect a rich heritage and explore new possibilities. We do this by preserving traditional savoir-faire as well as supporting innovation and the local communities that are dear to us.

Maison Ferrand’s vision is to keep building on our growth and become the world’s leading independent producer of fine spirits. At Ferrand “we do it ourselves, and we do it together” and that won’t change. We’ve always dreamed big: “feet on the ground, head in the stars!”

DISCOVER
OUR JOURNEY

The Story of
Maison Ferrand

The story of Maison Ferrand is equal parts passion, heritage and innovation, beginning in the heart of Cognac and extending to the world’s finest spirits traditions.

The Ferrand Renaissance

It all started in 1989 when Alexandre Gabriel set out to revive Ferrand Cognac. The brand’s rich legacy inspired him to explore the forgotten techniques of crafting this venerable French spirit. Ever since those early days, we have been dedicated to making premium cognacs. Over time, we acquired our own vineyards in the Grande Champagne, premier cru de Cognac, where we now cultivate our grapes. Our cognacs are aged in our cellars and expertly blended by Alexandre Gabriel himself. The heart of Ferrand Cognac’s operations is the Château de Bonbonnet in Ars, France. Nearby, we maintain the Ferrand family manor built in the 19th century, still surrounded by vineyards and filled with the archives of generations of cognac makers. In addition to our renowned cognacs, we also produce Ferrand Dry Curaçao, a bartender favorite inspired by a time-honored recipe from the golden age of cocktails.

What Gin was meant to be

By 1996, our vision expanded with the creation of Citadelle Gin, driven by our ambition to craft the world’s finest gin. With an innovative “progressive infusion” process capturing the essence of 19 botanicals, Citadelle pioneered the modern craft gin movement and revolutionized a historic spirit that had lost its luster… which was especially unexpected from a gin de France! Citadelle gins are produced at the Château de Bonbonnet in a dedicated distillery designed by Alexandre Gabriel and built by our own stonemasons. Alexandre’s personal collection of restored Charentais copper pot stills (originally used to distill cognac) shines alongside state-of-the-art column stills that produce exciting new Citadelle Gin expressions every year.

The Planteray Way

Alexandre Gabriel’s curiosity about spirits that perfectly epitomize their terroir led him straight to an exploration of rum, which was born in Barbados and distilled wherever sugarcane thrives around the globe. Plantation Rum was founded in 1999 to celebrate the diversity of the world’s finest rums and their terroirs, and to revive the ancestral practice of double ageing in both tropical and continental climates to take them to new heights. A worldwide community soon developed, born out of our collaborations with distillers from the Caribbean to the Pacific and Indian oceans, and a devoted following of “rum geeks” who share Alexandre’s fascination with rum’s rich history and unique production methods. In 2024, the brand evolved with a name change to Planteray Rum to reflect these international friendships.

Where Rum Has Its Roots

Our longstanding relationships with rum makers, and Alexandre Gabriel’s passion for the art and science of distillation, took on a new dimension when Maison Ferrand acquired the legendary Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery, built in Barbados by genius inventor and distiller George Stade in 1893, and revived the Stade’s Rum brand that was once a household name. The Planteray team’s dream to craft rum in the Caribbean – with an unmatched collection of historic stills and a Distiller’s Vault filled with priceless documents, hand-in-hand with an outstanding team of award-winning distillers – had become a reality. With this treasure, Maison Ferrand also became co-owner of National Rums of Jamaica, including two legendary distilleries – Long Pond and Clarendon – where we continue the great tradition of Jamaican rum with the latest generation of makers.

Distilleries That Tell a Story

Everyone in the Maison Ferrand community has something special in common: passion for craftsmanship, reverence for tradition and an ingenious creative streak! We love to share our knowledge and unique approach, and Alexandre and his team contribute their insights at industry events, master classes and spirits fairs all year long. Today our Citadelle Distillery in France, and Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados, welcome visitors to experience firsthand the art of spirits-making in spectacular settings. Our guests are treated to personal tours of some of the world’s most exceptional stills and enjoy tastings of the premium spirits that have earned us fans in over 120 countries.

Bespoke Experience

This culture of sharing took on a new dimension in 2021 when Maison Ferrand welcomed fellow spirits lovers to experiment along with us, through our Private Barrel experience. We launched the adventure with the world’s first floating cellar on board Barge 166, a vintage river barge equipped to age over 1500 small barrels of Planteray rums, Ferrand cognacs and Citadelle gins below the surface of the Seine. Private Barrel owners select their own Maison Ferrand spirit and follow its journey, either in the dynamic ageing conditions on board Barge 166, or in the historic setting of the Chai Satgé cellar at the Château de Bonbonnet. Accompanied by our expert guides, members of this exclusive circle get to taste their spirit as it develops and decide when it’s ready to bottle, take home and share the experience with friends.

When Passion Meets Recognition

Throughout this incredible journey, Maison Ferrand’s spirits have been honored with over 1,000 awards. We are immensely proud and grateful that our dedication continues to be recognized as we grow, year after year. Thanks to this international acclaim for our quality and originality, and our bartender friends who insist on our products to craft their cocktails, Maison Ferrand has become one of the leading independent fine spirits producers in the world.

The Maison Ferrand
team

Alexandre
gabriel

Alexandre Gabriel is the owner and Master Blender of Maison Ferrand and Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery, as well as a co-owner of National Rums of Jamaica (NRJ). A pioneer in the world of craft spirits, he is a history buff passionate about preserving traditional techniques; an innovator who can’t resist pushing boundaries; and an independent entrepreneur who thrives on the kinship of fellow spirits enthusiasts.

Since 1989, surrounded by a dynamic team, Alexandre has dedicated himself to making superb spirits that express savoir-faire, terroir and time. The brands he created – Canerock, Planteray and Stade’s Rums, Citadelle Gin, Ferrand Cognac and Dry Curaçao – have earned over 1000 acclaimed industry awards. Alexandre was named “Rum World Best Master Blender” at the 2012 Golden Barrel awards in London, and won the prestigious “Outstanding Contribution to Distilling” award from the American Distilling Institute in 2017, the first time that this award was bestowed on an individual, and not a distillery. In 2023, The Ultimate Awards named Alexandre Gabriel “Most Admirable Rum CEO” in recognition of his contributions to the rum-making craft.

Among Alexandre’s standout creations are the patented progressive infusion process he developed for Citadelle Gin and the world’s first floating spirits cellar, Barge 166. Both inventions reflect his passion for new possibilities in the world of artisanal spirits. He is just as dedicated to sharing his knowledge and love for the craft, since he is so inspired by the skill and savoir-faire of his predecessors. He is regularly asked to lead master classes and workshops all over the globe.

2023 - Most Admirable Rum CEO

2017 - Outstanding Contribution to Distilling

2012 - Rum World Best Master Blender

About

“We are a community that works together. We share our values and passion for creating not just wonderful spirits, but the moments they inspire. Bringing people together, making memories… this is why we get up every day.” Alexandre Gabriel

Alexandre Gabriel

fonction

A Shared Vision

Alexandre Gabriel would not be who he is today without his wife of over 30 years, Debbie Gabriel. She has been by his side at every stage of Maison Ferrand’s journey, and she truly embodies the spirit of community that makes our company special. Today, Debbie translates her passion for history and craftsmanship by creating memorable experiences where guests can see, touch and taste the process of producing our fine spirits.

Debbie is particularly immersed in the preservation and restoration of Maison Ferrand’s historic buildings in France, and shaping the personal experiences at our Château de Bonbonnet, Barge 166 and Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery sites. Debbie and Alexandre are known for the constant flow of guests in their home, from Ferrand colleagues to journalists, bartenders, retailers and other industry friends.

OUR TEAM

The Maison Ferrand community includes over 300 talented people across multiple countries around the world. As independent producers, our experts manage every step from growing our own grapes and juniper berries, to designing our beautiful packaging, to developing our networks in international markets. They are the reason our fine spirits are so uniquely special, and they make Maison Ferrand a company like no other!

In southwestern France, where it all started, we own and manage vineyards in the Grande Champagne, premier cru de Cognac, and we rely on our own vineyard managers to tend the precious vines of Ugni blanc and Colombard grapes. Unusually for a family-sized company like ours, we have a full in-house Research & Creation team who apply their technical expertise and incredible sensory instincts to develop exquisite flavors in a state-of-the-art laboratory.

The Pulse of Maison Ferrand

At the Château de Bonbonnet, distillation experts in our Citadelle Gin Distillerie work in a lofty 18th century stone structure restored by our own stonemasons, who also built the glass-roofed Orangerie where we grow citrus fruits under the watchful eye of a dedicated horticulturalist.

At our Bordeaux and Paris offices, marketing and design specialists bring the Maison Ferrand creative vision to life. Through compelling brand messaging and visual artistry, they give our products their unique identity and tell the story of our heritage and innovative spirit. In fact, one of our boldest innovations sits on the Seine on the southern edge of Paris, where the captain of our Barge 166 tends to the world’s first floating cellar! An underwater cellar master might not be a typical role in the spirits world, but at Maison Ferrand, pushing boundaries is what we do best.

Back at Château de Bonbonnet, a Master Coppersmith is on staff to breathe life back into the venerable copper pot stills Alexandre Gabriel has collected for decades. He and his team proudly restored the Rockley still, the oldest known pot still in existence, and returned it to the “Barbados branch” of our family at Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery to make rum once again. The Stade’s team includes over 70 rum experts, from fermentation scientists to award-winning distillers… to rum historians preserving Barbadian rum’s legacy… to mixologists crafting creative cocktails for visitors to the Stade’s Beach Club and Bar.

Distinctively Ferrand

Wherever we are in the world, we proudly do things our own way. The people of Maison Ferrand are united by our love for what we do and our mission to share that passion with spirits lovers everywhere.

Discover more
about us

Our commitments What we stand for

Our expertise What we do

Planteray rum

Citadelle Gin

Ferrand cognac

Canerock

Ferrand Dry Curaçao

Stade’s Rum

Who we are

Authentic Spirits Uncompromised Quality

Tradition, Reimagined