EXQUISITE COCKTAILS
From the glamorous world of NYC model to Maison Ferrand Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador, we look at the brand and talk to Micaela Piccolo about her role and love of life.
Join our conversation with Micaela Piccolo, the Asia Pacific brand ambassador for Maison Ferrand about her role in the brand and her love of life.
Alexandre Gabriel, president and owner of Maison Ferrand, is passionate about producing superb quality spirits, such as cognac, rum and gin, using the best techniques available. His Plantation range of rums is made based on long-held traditions of rum making that respect their unique terroir, with aging in bourbon casks in tropical climates followed by further aging and assessment in cognac barrels in Cognac. This painstaking attention to detail creates rums with unique finishes and characteristics.
With Plantation Rum vintages travelling from Trinidad to Jamaica and Guyana, among others, with signature blends, bar classics and special editions, there is a whole world to explore through rum.
Maison Ferrand is also behind the exceptional Citadelle Gin. Believing modern gins had lost their complexity and refinement, Gabriel decided to make a hand-crafted gin using centuries-old knowhow passed down through five generations of master distillers, creating the complex, refined and elegant Citadelle Gin. Multiaward winning, Citadelle Gin has 69 medals, 32 of which are gold.
This extraordinary respect and care underpins every spirit he creates and has given the company its iconic status.
Micaela Piccolo is travelling the Asia Pacific region representing Maison Ferrand, so we asked her about her days.
Micaela: I love waking with a feeling of so much purpose. Watching artisanal spirits like ours find a place in the market and starting to take a lead worldwide is very enjoyable.
We are also in the business of human connection, so my goal is to represent and share the aspects of Maison Ferrand and Alexandre Gabriel with every move and decision I make. I feel I have enormous responsibility training, influencing and presenting these brands, but I also love that this encourages people to try other drinks outside their comfort zone. Yes, I can sell and crunch numbers, but our company truthfully embraces the value of friendships and serving one another as best we can.
: How did you end up first bartending, then with Maison Ferrand?
M: While modelling in New York City is very exciting, I grew unhappy with not being able to be truly myself and after a particularly upsetting moment, quit and found a job bartending. From a very inexperienced start, I studied, travelled internationally and worked hard until eventually it all paid off.
After some time, I decided to focus on educating and relationship building, so I looked for a suitable position where I could move back to Asia.
: I hear that Citadelle Gin will be sporting a new look in early 2018. Can you tell us something about that?
M: We haven't changed the wonderful recipe that we use, which we believe is what a gin should be, but we've updated its look, highlighting the true DNA of our gin with an image of the citadelle, the botanicals and a design inspired by 18th century France. It looks more elegant, better reflecting that it is a modern French masterpiece.
: And there’s a new rum in the market – Plantation Pineapple Rum. Can you tell us about that one?
M: Charles Dickens wrote about a delicacy in 19th century England called pineapple rum and Alexandre and spirit historian David Wondrich decided to bring this liquid treasure back to life. They only intended to share it with friends, but the result was a beautifully refined, wonderful rum that was so popular that we now sell it commercially.
: Any advice for people starting out in the craft cocktail world?
M: Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and get to work – just as you would in any field. While this job may be fun, you put a lot of yourself into it every day, so do remember to take care of yourself just as you take care of your guests. Vitamins, exercise and hydration are your friends!