Combier Kummel Extra Liqueur, France

Caraway, cumin, fennel seed, and warm savory spice rise with striking aromatic intensity. Combier Kummel Extra Liqueur revisits a style first produced by Combier in 1852, using double the quantity of selected seeds to give the historic recipe greater concentration and a firmer spicy profile. Its distinctive balance of sweetness, seed-driven spice, and herbal freshness reflects Distillerie Combier’s long tradition of botanical distillation under Master Distiller Franck Choisne.

Product Details:

• Owner/ Master Distille: Franck Choisne
• Base Ingredient: Alcohol and sugar
• Botanicals: Caraway, cumin, and fennel seeds
• Production: Distilled using double the quantity of selected seeds for increased aromatic concentration
• ABV: 38%

Sensory Description:

The nose is immediately distinctive, combining caraway and cumin with impressions of poppy seed bread, dried fennel, anise, and warm curry-like spice. The palate is concentrated and mouth-watering, with cumin and caraway providing a savory core while fennel adds freshness and a softer aromatic lift. Sweetness rounds the edges of the spice without obscuring its intensity. The finish is long and persistent, leaving dried fennel, anise, cumin, and a pronounced but balanced curried character.

Awards & Accolades:

• Bronze: International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2023
• Silver: International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2015
• Bronze: International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2013

Distiller's Background:

Distillerie Combier was founded in Saumur in 1834 and developed an enduring reputation for distilling fruits, spices, herbs, and other botanicals. Kummel became part of the house repertoire in 1852, placing the style among Combier’s earliest liqueur traditions. Franck Choisne joined the company as general manager in 1994 and took control of the distillery in 2000. As Master Distiller, he has continued to work with historic recipes and traditional distillation methods while refining their balance for contemporary production. Combier remains closely associated with its historic Saumur distillery and its long-standing expertise in aromatic liqueurs and distilled botanicals.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve: Well chilled or over a single large cube as an aromatic after-dinner liqueur
• Cocktails: Use in small quantities to add caraway, cumin, fennel, and savory spice to gin, rye whiskey, or other structured spirits
• Culinary: Use as an aromatic accent in pastry or other preparations where its concentrated seed-spice character can add depth
• Pairings: Serve alongside aged cheeses, savory biscuits, seed breads, or lightly spiced desserts

Why Combier Kummel Extra Liqueur:

Combier Kummel Extra Liqueur offers a particularly concentrated interpretation of the traditional kummel style, combining historic pedigree with an unusually assertive caraway, cumin, and fennel profile. Its 38% ABV and intensified botanical recipe give it enough structure for sipping while making it especially useful as a distinctive modifier in cocktails. For customers seeking a traditional European liqueur with savory spice, aromatic depth, and genuine historical continuity, it provides a compelling and highly individual expression.