Since 1883, La Distillerie Des Alpes has distilled alpine tradition into bottles that celebrate mountain flora and artisanal technique. Founded on Philibert Routin’s original formulations in Chambéry, the house has preserved and evolved a botanical craft that balances careful plant selection, patient maceration and skillful distillation. Today the distillery’s portfolio centers on Génépi L'Ancienne—the emblematic génépi liqueur produced in the distillery’s historic alembic—and the Coiron range (Vert and Jaune), each expressing a different facet of alpine aromatic complexity. The 2026 London Spirits Competition awarded Coiron Vert (88 pts), Genepi L'Ancienne (88 pts) and Coiron Jaune (87 pts) Silver medals, underscoring the brand’s technical excellence and tasting appeal.

A flagship steeped in place: Génépi L'Ancienne

Génépi L'Ancienne is the distillery’s calling card — a liqueur born of the high‑altitude génépi plant (Artemisia spp.), long associated with Alpine identity and après‑ski ritual. La Distillerie Des Alpes selects primarily Artemisia umbelliformis (yellow/white génépi), hand-harvested or responsibly cultivated to protect fragile mountain ecosystems. The product’s character reflects a proprietary maceration and distillation approach, practised since the late 19th century and refined through decades: precisely timed maceration of carefully chosen sprigs, followed by gentle distillation in a restored 1901 still that the distillery returned to service in 1998. That old-world still treats botanicals with a delicate hand, preserving floral intensity, honeyed notes and a clean finish while avoiding bitterness — qualities noted in the London Spirits Competition tasting that praised Genepi L'Ancienne for saffron and honeyed aromas, a smooth delicate palate, and a balanced finish.

Coiron Vert and Coiron Jaune: layered herbal artistry

The Coiron range channels the distillery’s broader aromatic expertise. Built from blends of up to 35 plants, these liqueurs are formulations of complexity and balance that trace a lineage back to the founder’s experimental notebooks. Coiron Vert (Silver, 88 points) is described as aromatic, with delicate floral and chamomile notes and a cinnamon spice that lifts the palate into a long, sweet finish — ideal for contemplative sips and refined cocktails alike. Coiron Jaune (Silver, 87 points) offers a smoother, floral profile: chamomile, herbal and saffron accents that marry into a sweet, well‑integrated palate and soft lingering finish. Both expressions illustrate the distillery’s talent for marrying traditional herbal remedies with contemporary tasting expectations.

Craft, provenance and sustainability

La Distillerie Des Alpes emphasizes provenance and handcrafted technique at every production stage. The distillery adheres to strict sourcing standards: local alpine botanicals where available, and cultivated or ethically foraged supplies where wild collection is restricted. The house retains artisanal practices — small‑batch macerations, patient distillation, and hand finishing of bottles — while investing in supplier relationships to ensure traceability for exotic or cultivated inputs. This care supports a consumer promise of quality, authenticity and respect for fragile mountain ecosystems.

Service and occasions

Historically enjoyed as a warm-after-ski digestif, Génépi L'Ancienne also serves chilled as an apéritif, in short tasting serves or as a nuanced cocktail component. The distillery recommends very chilled serves to lighten alcohol perception and reveal aromatic depth. Coiron Vert and Jaune suit similar formats: contemplative neat tasting, paired with light desserts or integrated into modern herbal cocktails where their chamomile, saffron and spice notes can shine.

Commercial positioning and opportunities

La Distillerie Des Alpes occupies a premium niche: heritage-rich, craft-driven liqueurs for on‑trade mixology programs, specialist retailers, and discerning direct consumers. The recent London Spirits Competition 2026 accolades provide timely marketing currency to support listing negotiations, seasonal promotions and limited-edition bottlings tied to alpine storytelling. Potential growth avenues include hospitality collaborations (mountain resorts, ski chalets), cocktail partnerships that showcase the liqueurs’ herbal profiles, and sustainability-led communications about responsible sourcing.

Challenges and brand levers

Preserving artisanal production while scaling selectively remains the core operational tension. Controlled foraging and cultivation limits constrain supply in peak years, so forward planning with growers and transparency to trade partners will be critical. The distillery’s strongest levers are its century-old story, the unique use of the 1901 alembic, and proven tasting credentials—demonstrated by three Silver medals and scores of 87–88 at the London Spirits Competition 2026—that validate both tradition and modern sensory standards.

Conclusion

La Distillerie Des Alpes stands as a well-proven example of heritage craftsmanship evolved for contemporary palates. Génépi L'Ancienne and Coiron Vert/Jaune articulate a coherent brand promise: botanical fidelity, patient technique, and an alpine sense of place. With recent recognition at the London Spirits Competition 2026, the distillery has fresh momentum to deepen trade placements, sharpen storytelling and expand curated experiences that let consumers taste a living piece of the French Alps