A unique blend of science and art is far from a common way to describe premium gin. Yet, the first gin distilled on the French Riviera, 44°N, is exactly that. And housed in a 19th-century perfume distillery in Grasse, France , its creator Comte de Grasse is anything but a regular gin distillery.

Inspired by the perfume mastery of Grasse, the French distiller captures unique Mediterranean luxury in a bottle. Crafted using revolutionary distillation techniques and rare botanicals, the multi-award-winning spirit is a wonderful expression of the brand’s fundamentals, disability, art.

For Comte de Grasse founder Bhagath Reddy, the vision was simple – create an innovative, ultra-premium gin influenced by fragrance mastery.

The vision and journey of the distillery is innovation in spirits and flavors by taking inspiration from the expertise of Grasse, the worldwide capital of fragrances.

Bhagath Reddy, Founder of Comte de Grasse

Vibrantly perfumed and filled with regional flavours, Master Distiller Marie-Anne Contamin crafts the wonderful gin from 20 botanicals, 80 per cent of which are grown locally. Bitter orange, cade, mimosa, centifolia and immortalle each leave their own mark on 44°N’s eclectic flavor profile.

Of the 20 rich botanicals, 13 are used in the first stage while the other seven are then introduced at various stages allowing the spirit to present its different flavors at various times.

The gin is a wonderful floral and citrus blend featuring Grasse’s Rose Centifolia, jasmine and lavender mixed with Mediterranean character from the citrus and herbaceous notes. Orris and honey provide a long-lasting sweet taste on the tongue and earthy juniper and peppery notes combine with bitter orange and grapefruit for a smooth finish.

44°N Gin | Source: Comte de Grasse

More than a premium taste

Named after Grasse’s geographic coordinates, 44°N’s masterstroke isn’t just its refined taste, it’s the experience and feeling it evokes. The gin gracefully drops the elegance and allure of the Côte d’Azur region onto the palette. flowers of Grasse, the gorgeous blue coastline, the glorious sunshine and the herb-scented lands.

Furthermore, Comte de Grasse distillery as a brand itself is reinventing the creation of spirits pushing an age-old industry towards a dynamic and sustainable future.

Founder Bhagath Reddy explained innovation is a key pillar at Comte de Grasse and is not limited to its distillation process.

Comte de Grasse challenges the way spirits and flavors are being made, not only with the process of distillation used for 44°N but with all other projects and products to come.

Bhagath Reddy, founder of the Comte de Grasse

Partnering with the University of Nice, Comte de Grasse has access to research facilities and technical understanding that allows for ‘true scientific innovation to be developed within the distillery and old perfumery’.

This then filters down to bring customers the finest premium gin that can be enjoyed on its own or in a refreshing cocktail.

An innovative process inspired by history

Utilizing the perfume heritage of Grasse, a three-stage distillation process uses advanced perfume extraction techniques combined with innovative technology. Starting with ultrasonic maceration, the low-energy method produces a high extraction over the shortest time tansting each bringing out.

The vacuum distillation of the second stage further extracts the aromas and continues concentrating the alcohol level while preserving the fragile flavors.

Finally, the CO₂ supercritical extraction subtly extracts targeted flavors that are then layered onto the vacuum distillate to deliver the perfect flavor profile. Comte de Grasse achieves all this to the highest level using custom-made equipment with everything built from scratch.

Source: Comte de Grasse

A dream location

The world capital of fragrance, Grasse could hardly be a more perfect place to raise 44°N. The luscious landscape is blessed with the purest mountain water and an abundance of sunlight allowing the finest botanicals to grow freely. Surrounded by this pristine ecosystem, Comte de Grasse is superbly set up to produce its spirits sustainably.

The distillery itself is a tribute to the past and a look to the future. Spread across twin buildings dating back to 1820, a traditional exterior celebrates its former life as an old perfume where a red brick chimney stands as an iconic beacon.

Inside is where the magic happens. Crafted as an innovative hub, modern appliances stand proudly in a clean space that’s built for optimal function.

Inside the distillery | Source: Comte de Grasse

An exciting future

It’s a blessing to spirit lovers that Comte de Grasse’s expertise isn’t limited to gin. The distillery has also taken its innovative process to the vodka market launching a second spirit in spring this year: 06 Vodka.

The first 100 per cent French Vodka Rosé, 06 Vodka focuses on flavor extraction rather than simply blending, utilizing a new process they call ‘Active Wine Extraction’.

It is a Vodka Rosé, which uses the expertise of extraction, in order to extract the aromas of a beautiful rosé de Provence, and reinfused into the vodka.

Another innovation, the distillery continues to research new ways of creating flavor in spirits…

Bhagath Reddy, Founder of Comte de Grasse

The premium vodka is made using an extract of the finest Organic Rosé wine from Chateau Vert, Côte de Provence. This is infused into a smooth vodka crafted from French winter wheat distilled with the freshest spring water from the region.

The result delivers a refined taste with subtle floral notes and a fruity white peach finish – the best of the French Riviera on the palette.

To get your hands on the exclusive 44°N gin in Australia, head to premium alcohol merchants Fontayne Selections.