Founded in 1860 in Limoges and taken over by the Nouhaud family in 1981, the Distillerie du Centre upholds an ancestral know-how within its historic facilities, where Guy and Pierre Nouhaud relaunched the iconic La Gauloise liqueur in 1989.
Founded in 1860 in Limoges, the Distillerie du Centre embodies a rare artisanal heritage, where time seems to stand still. Acquired in 1981 by the Nouhaud family, it perpetuates an ancestral know-how while breathing new life into its traditions. In 1989, Guy and Pierre Nouhaud marked the rebirth of La Gauloise, restoring this iconic liqueur to its rightful place.
Housed within its historic 19th century buildings, the distillery carefully preserves its original equipment, including its period pot stills, true witnesses to an unchanged tradition. The process begins with the meticulous preparation of the botanicals: they macerate for 24 hours before being distilled together in a bain-marie, while the saffron is delicately infused to preserve the full finesse of its aromatic profile.
Distillation follows a double-heating process. The botanicals are combined with a neutral spirit reduced to 60% ABV, then a second distillation allows for a precise cut of the heads and tails. This stage, which requires around 7 hours and 30 minutes of heating, including 2 to 3 hours of extraction, results in a distillate of remarkable purity at 86% ABV.
