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

Longtime friends Nicolas and Romain share a deep passion for spirits, rooted in their time living in Martinique and Guadeloupe. What began as a lighthearted hobby—tasting and comparing rums—soon evolved into a serious pursuit. Their frequent visits to local cellars fueled their love for spirits, and their palates expanded as they explored different varieties beyond rum.

From tasting trips to aging their own spirits in small casks, their journey into the world of spirits grew richer. Initially focused on rum, their network of connections with liquor shops and aficionados naturally led them to explore whisky, gin, and more. Over time, they built relationships with independent brands like Old Brothers, Swell de Spirits, and Famille Ricci.

Their involvement with spirits didn’t stop at tasting, however. Nicolas and Romain played key roles in organizing events like the Open Spirits Festival and engaging with Facebook communities, further solidifying their standing in the spirits world. After discussions with Swell de Spirits and Ricci at a recent RhumFest 2024, the idea for a new, broader spirits festival in Toulouse was born. While Toulouse already had a whisky festival, there was room for something more inclusive, spanning multiple types

of spirits.

A Festival for All Spirits Enthusiasts

The inaugural Toulouse Spirits Festival is set to welcome around 1,000 attendees per day over two days. Each visitor will receive a tasting glass to ensure everyone has their own throughout the event. Expect a lineup of 40 to 50 exhibitors, including both large and small producers, with a focus on creating a convivial atmosphere where smaller independent brands can shine.

The event will feature four exclusive bottlings: two rums, one whisky, and one gin. Attendees will have the chance to taste freely, with no limit to how many bottles they can sample. The focus is on accessibility, offering an affordable yet well-curated experience, without making the event too large or overwhelming.

More Than Just Spirits

The festival will offer much more than just tastings. While there won’t be any thematic spaces, exhibitors will showcase what they do best, with a diverse selection of spirits from all over the world. A temporary shop will be available for those looking to bring home their favorite discoveries.

In terms of food, cold finger foods will be provided, as the venue’s kitchen is not accessible. Despite the logistical challenge of holding the event on the 7th floor, Nicolas and Romain have worked hard to ensure everything runs smoothly. Attendees can also expect a range of festival goodies, including tote bags, hats, t-shirts, caps, and even temporary tattoos.

While this year’s festival won’t feature masterclasses or VIP areas, there’s potential for these in future editions. There’s also talk of introducing a mixology area and adding even more activities alongside the tastings, like tent displays and glasses that have won the Silver Medal Lépine competition.

Looking Forward

Though they had only four months to prepare for the event—starting in late July—Nicolas and Romain managed to pull it together with support from the spirits community. The festival will take place over two days, from 12 PM to 7 PM on Saturday and 12 PM to 6 PM on Sunday. There’s even talk of special parties on Friday and Saturday nights to extend the festivities.

The duo hopes this first edition will be a success, paving the way for future events. Some exhibitors were disappointed they couldn’t attend due to the rushed scheduling and their packed agendas. However, with the support they’ve received so far, Nicolas and Romain are optimistic that the Toulouse Spirits Festival will become an annual staple for spirits lovers.

Be sure to mark your calendars for what promises to be a fantastic celebration of the finest spirits in Toulouse, and perhaps even a new favorite event for the spirits community!

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

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