This is the oldest of the French gentian aperitifs made in the Auvergne region of France, where this class of liqueur first arose. Concocted here since 1885 using hand-harvested gentian root, it comes across on the first sip as a fairly austere spirit. (The low ABV appears to encourage this shyness.) Yet a moment afterwards, the earthy, raw essence of the yellow gentian moves to the forefront, where it remains uncluttered by other herbal notes.