Grand Opening Set for April 26th

Ricci Spirits has inaugurated its brand-new office, marking a milestone in the company’s journey. The official grand opening is scheduled for April 26th, and attendance will be strictly by invitation, requiring mandatory booking.

For those interested, details regarding the invitation process are available at the end of the article.

An Excellence and a Future of Innovation

Ricci Spirits still assembly at the new premises is still underway. The company is poised to introduce new and exciting developments in the world of spirits, including a fresh lineup of meticulously crafted beverages.

Ricci Spirits is the name of the holding company; there will be no bottling under that name, all production will be under Famille Ricci, Domaine Ricci, and the respective brand names produced on-site.

A Sensory Journey: New Spirits in the Making

Ricci Spirits is set to launch several unique products, starting with:

-Gin Blue Garden

-Pastis Le 132

-Limoncello Le Méditerranéen

-Eau de vie & Liqueur from Distillerie Azurea

The company’s whisky production is also in progress, with initial testing beginning immediately. The first batches are expected to be ready for tasting around September.

While the official name for the whisky remains undecided, the brand is dedicated to crafting an exceptional product.

Experiential Offerings: Distillery Visits and Workshops

Visitors to Ricci Spirits’ new office can look forward to an immersive experience, including:

-Classic and premium tastings

-Rum and whisky blending workshops

-Micro-distillation of gin

-Potential customized ateliers

In addition, the second floor of the establishment will serve as a training academy dedicated to all facets of spirits production, distillation, and marketing.

This initiative is spearheaded by Morgan Ricci and Cyrille Mald, with the goal of fostering knowledge-sharing among industry players.

Capacity and Special Releases

The new facility boasts a storage capacity of approximately 200 barrels or 50,000 liters of alcohol. While some special cuvées are in the pipeline, details remain undisclosed for now.

Strategic Shifts and New Directions

Domaine Ricci remains committed to its role as a 100% bottling company.

As part of a strategic revamp, the Zodiac, OVNI, and Exception series will be discontinued. In their place, two new continuous categories will be introduced:

-Rare Single Cask – Covering the full range, not just ultra-rare releases.

-Unic Blend – Featuring both aged and white spirits.

Vanuatu Bottling and the Nabonga Project

The company is also exploring a Vanuatu bottling project and the creation of a new brand, Nabonga. However, final decisions regarding this initiative are still pending.

Exciting Releases for Whisky Live

Domaine Ricci is expected to unveil new releases at Whisky Live, including potential new spirit categories that will further expand the company’s diverse portfolio.

With its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, Ricci Spirits is set to redefine the landscape of premium spirits.

Stay tuned for more updates as they embark on this exciting new chapter.

26th April Grand Opening booking details:

Ask Jade at info@riccispirits.com

Ricci Spirits office details

609 route de la Roquette

06250 Mougins

+33 4 8393 8366

Famille Ricci

https://www.facebook.com/FamilleRicciRhum

https://www.instagram.com/famillericci_rhum

https://www.famillericci.com/

Domaine Ricci

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566438238365

https://www.instagram.com/domainericci

Ricci Spirits

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572887344083

Born from a shared passion for Mexican spirits and a desire to elevate their presence in France, the Viva Agave Festival has grown into a key event for agave enthusiasts and professionals alike. Martha, a long-time ambassador of tequila and mezcal in France, has been championing Mexican spirits since 2012. Her mission? To introduce and push these exceptional products outside Mexico while receiving support from within the country to expand their distribution abroad.

The idea for the festival was sparked by frustration with the limited and unsatisfactory offerings from distributors. In 2018, Martha met David and another agave enthusiast. Together, they realized the immense potential of agave-based spirits, which at the time were still relatively unknown in France.

A Growing Success

The first edition of Viva Agave was small and intimate with 15 exhibitors, but by 2019, the festival had expanded. Joined by new partners, Sébastien Gans and Thomas Girard, they professionalized the event. That second edition attracted 20 exhibitors and over 2,000 attendees in just two days, a huge success that confirmed the growing interest in agave spirits in France.

As 2020 approached, the team debated whether to hold another edition, but then COVID-19 hit, and plans were put on hold. The following years, 2021 and 2022, were challenging, with the pandemic making it difficult to organize large indoor gatherings. Still, the enthusiasm from both attendees and exhibitors never waned.

In 2023, despite internal challenges due to the increasing professional responsibilities of the team, they received a strong push from the agave community to keep the festival alive. With the booming agave market, Martha and the team decided to move forward, setting the stage for the highly anticipated 2024 edition.

Bigger and Better in 2024

This year, the festival has expanded even further, with 25 exhibitors, including some that had to be turned away due to space limitations. Meaning, 1K and Mezcaleria will be too small looking forward. The hope is to find a larger venue for future editions, with plans already in the works for 2025.

Visitors to the 2024 festival can look forward to a variety of experiences, from tastings to educational masterclasses. El Vecino taqueria will be open, offering authentic Mexican food, while the Maison Villevert corner will be serving a special cocktail, the Paloma, made with tequila, grapefruit, and soda, a total of 4 different cocktails with one based on biodynamic. Entry to the festival includes free tastings, and every attendee will receive an informational booklet and a tasting glass.

Though the team had hoped to release a special festival batch of agave spirits, the short timeline (four months of preparation) made this impossible for 2024. However, we've challenged Martha to create a unique festival batch for 2025! So, let's make this event even more successful to make it happen!

What to Expect at Viva Agave 2024

The 2024 edition will showcase a wide range of Mexican spirits, from tequila, mezcal, raicilla, and bacanora to sotol and other non-agave Mexican products. In addition to agave spirits, there will also be Mexican gin, rum, whisky, and other distillates on display.

The event will feature two main tasting areas with 25 exhibitors, and the Agavothèque will highlight products not yet distributed outside Mexico, giving importers a chance to discover new treasures. A shop will be available for attendees who want to take a piece of the festival home with them.

The festival will also host 16 masterclasses over two days, with eight each day. These free masterclasses will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing visitors to deepen their knowledge of agave spirits and the vibrant Mexican spirit culture.

Running from 11 AM to 7 PM, Viva Agave 2024 promises to be a can’t-miss event for anyone passionate about Mexican spirits, bringing together the best of the agave world under one roof.

Join us in celebrating the rich tradition and future of Mexican spirits at Viva Agave 2024!

You can learn more and follow them on:

https://toulousespirits.com

https://www.instagram.com/toulousespirits

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rhumtech

https://www.facebook.com/events/1712997532781413

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565724158681

We had the opportunity to have a quick chat with Sven Brosens, the creator of the Spirits Museum.

We found it interesting to ask him a few questions about the museum and his journey. It turned into a fascinating exchange where he also asked us to explain what we do.

What could make more sense for us than to talk about spirits with the creator of the Spirits Museum? Let's embark on this!

Sven, who are you and who is behind the museum?

I'm a newcomer to the world of spirits, but I've always been interested in them. During the Covid pandemic, instead of pursuing further professional training, I decided to complete the Spirits Sommelier course and then added the WSET Level 3 in Spirits the following year. Since 2023, I have been the President of the Rum Club Switzerland and a member of two other associations: the Whisky and Schnapps Forum Switzerland.

Why was the museum created and why in Switzerland? What can we find there?

The idea for the museum was born during my sommelier training. Instead of opening a bar, I wanted to share more knowledge about all types of spirits. I searched for a suitable location for two years and finally found one in Belp at the end of 2023. In the museum, visitors can learn about the history and production of various categories of spirits. Of course, you can also taste the many bottles on display and broaden your horizons.

Looking ahead, what do you expect?

The museum is fully equipped, and I am now waiting for authorization to open, hopefully in July. I expect to attract curious individuals who want to learn about new spirits as well as professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and taste spirits from different categories.

How can the community help?

The community can help preserve the history of spirits and distilleries by contributing old and new bottles, utensils, tools, barrels, bar equipment, books, and anything related to spirits. For companies interested in exhibiting their products in the museum, I have an exhibition concept that I would be happy to share.

What's your favorite spirit?

I started with rum and have remained loyal to it, from white Bacardi with cola to premium dark rums and single cask bottlings at cask strength. My absolute favorite bottle is "The Last" from the Caroni Distillery. I now also enjoy Armagnac and Mezcal. Thanks to the museum idea, I try to find exceptional liquids in all categories.

Where can we meet you in the future? Any upcoming spirits events? Are there any upcoming events, partnerships, or educational purposes?

In the future, you can certainly meet me at the museum, where visitors can explore the world of spirits or participate in tastings or seminars. I will also be present at many trade fairs in Switzerland and abroad, such as Whisky Live Paris. Additionally, companies will have the opportunity to organize their own events at the museum.

Now let's talk about you guys at The Exchange Platform.

Can you explain who you are and how did you get into the spirits business?

I’m a long-time spirits enthusiast, born and raised in France. After living abroad for a few years, I continued to enjoy spirits globally with a strong passion for Cognac, Whisky, and Rum. I ended up in this business inadvertently when people began asking me to help them locate bottles they couldn't find and realized there’s definitely something to be done when it comes to locating a bottle and determining its fair valuation.

Why did you come up with the idea for this platform?

We realized that the secondary market for spirits is outdated, inefficient, and illiquid, with high execution costs and fragmented information. I looked at what was working in other industries and applied those principles to the spirits market.

What does your project involve and who are the potential customers?

The Exchange Platform (TEP) is built on four foundations:

- Price History: We aggregate data from over 70 auction sources for all types of spirits, plus our own traded prices. Each bottle is standardized with a unique identifier, often linked to a barcode, making searching and comparison easier.

- Trading: We empower buyers and sellers to set their own prices, shifting away from a seller-driven market.

- Portfolio Management: We’ve developed a unique tool that allows users to monitor their collection, inventory, or investments with flexibility and powerful analytics.

- News, Events, Insights: We curate relevant spirits news and events through a dedicated newsfeed and custom filters. Additionally, we publish research and insights through our new Insights function.

How do you ensure the platform is scam-free?

Hahaha, I guess you’re referring to the curses and threats I’ve received from scammers on Facebook. Since security is in our DNA and we use Mangopay, a regulated payment provider in the EU, all participants must undergo a one-time KYC (Know Your Customer) process to confirm their identity. Payments are handled within Mangopay’s ecosystem, so sellers only receive funds once the parcel is delivered and confirmed.

What makes your platform better than others?

Honestly? Everything! (laughing) More seriously, we offer the only one-stop platform where you can enjoy a dedicated newsfeed, browse spirits events worldwide, search for bottles, explore price history, notify the market of your buying interests, swap bottles, and monitor your position. All of this is within a secure workflow, from registration to payment and delivery, as we have integrated UPS secured parcels. On top of that, we have marginal fee at 2.5%, VAT included.

There's no need to look for auctions, find a blog, hope to get prices from somewhere, or be stuck in groups. You can access everything at The Exchange Platform.

Thanks for your time, Sven, and I hope there will be a huge party for the museum opening!

You can follow and learn more about the Spirits Museum on their website and social networks:

https://spirits-museum.ch/

https://www.instagram.com/schnapschat/

https://www.facebook.com/Spiritsmuseum

https://www.youtube.com/@spirits-museum