Lillet

Lillet is a famous brand of vermouth from Podensac, Bordeaux. The French aperitif dates back to the 19th century, having been created by brothers, Paul and Raymond Lillet, in 1872. Despite its long history, its popularity skyrocketed in the 1970s after featuring in the James Bond novel, Casino Royale, as the base of the Vesper cocktail.

Lillet is a blend of Bordeaux wines, macerated citrus liqueurs and herbs – such as quinine. It’s blended in an oak vat and left to age for six-to-twelve months. 

There are three core bottles in the Lillet range, with the Blanc perhaps the most well-known. It’s fruity and floral with a welcoming honeyed sweetness, perfect chilled and with a slice of orange. Lillet Rouge was released in 1962 and has a richer and deeper profile, making it an ideal pre-dinner sipper. The most recent addition to the portfolio was the Rose, a blend of red and white Grand Cru Bordeaux wines.