New paths as an independent bottler: The Spirit Traveller

I love everything that has to do with alcohol. No joke! It simply fascinates me. Even as an apprentice, I loved putting liquor bottles on the shelf. Even though most people know me in connection with rum, it all started completely differently:

When I was 15, I started distilling fruit brandies.

I became a sommelier when I was 16.
At the age of 17, I immersed myself in the world of Armagnac.
When I was 19, my interest in the Scottish whisky world escalated.
And it wasn't until I was 24 that I finally got into rum.

In the meantime, I have discovered all sorts of other categories for myself: from port wine to bourbon whiskey. Even though I consider rum to be the best and most diverse spirits category, this category thinking actually annoys me. Instead, I celebrate an enormous openness and enjoy all the beautiful tastes, personalities and places that the spirits world has to offer.

I also have the great privilege that my wife Valerie is also passionate about spirits and is now very knowledgeable about them. My passion for visiting production companies and distilleries has also infected her, and so we travel the world together, always looking for the extraordinary. For the small producer that nobody has on their radar but that produces something great. Oh, it's wonderful! There is nothing I enjoy more than traveling like this and exploring the world with my little family. (As I am often asked when I tell people this: No, unfortunately Valerie doesn't have a sister...)

Back to the spirits categories: This categorical thinking bothers me. For example, if someone only drinks whisky or only rum. Why? That would be like you only drinking Bordeaux wines. I like the taste too, but why should you voluntarily give up champagne?

What I'm trying to say is that there are so many great products out there! A world just waiting to be conquered.

I want to change that a little. I want to do my part to ensure that we generally become connoisseurs of high-quality spirits. That we reach for an Armagnac or Calvados without prejudice and simply let the magic happen. Let ourselves be enchanted by what these great artists produce every day. Appreciate products that several generations have worked on.

This is what I want to achieve with my new line as an independent bottler:
The Spirit Traveller.
As the name suggests, it's about the treasures that I discover on our travels and that I would like to show you. How do I choose the fine wines? I'll describe it something like this:
Someone pours me something (straight from the barrel). I taste it. My eyes are wide open. Wow! An explosion of flavor! The thought "I have to show this to my gang! This is incredible" pops into my head.

That's more or less how it works. All stuff that sets the bar. Bottlings that represent the best in their category. Qualities that you can serve to your guests with a clear conscience: This is the best stuff.

It is important to me to put the producer in the foreground. To give him the stage he deserves. Unfortunately, far too often it is the case that the great producers are on the radar of far too few people. They can produce great material, but they are not necessarily marketing geniuses...


Transparency is the next important point. I will endeavour to include all the information that is available to me on the label - provided I am permitted to communicate it.


I cannot and do not want to say how often I will bottle something. Absolutely uncompromising quality is my top priority. Pressure to deliver would not be an advantage.

On September 4th the time has come: we will officially release our first bottling. The label I have shown in this text is exactly that. Our members will receive a 2 cl sample free of charge in advance so that they can taste the stuff in peace.

I’m really looking forward to embarking on this wonderful journey with you!

Great times are ahead of us! Stay tuned.

Your Nicolas