La Francesa Gin Distillery

La Francesa Gin Distillery in Argentina opens like a laboratory of scent where glass, copper and botanicals converge. Approach the still house and you feel the discipline of a scientist and the curiosity of a botanist at work: here La Francesa Gin Distillery translates local plant life into a refined London Dry spirit. Located within Destilería Thevenon’s Buenos Aires operation, the project foregrounds provenance—seven carefully selected botanicals are measured, macerated and distilled to yield a gin that reads equal parts clarity and character. Visitors who research distillery tours will find La Francesa’s award pedigree immediately relevant; the Small Batch 2023 earned Gold at the World Gin Awards and earned national recognition as Argentina’s Best London Dry Gin, signals that the production techniques reward close tasting.

Mario Thevenon leads the program as master distiller, and his background as a biologist and botanist steers the distillery’s production philosophy. La Francesa Gin Distillery emphasizes small-batch runs, botanical experimentation and precise cut control during distillation—an approach Thevenon describes as “the alchemy of the soul.” The production team pairs traditional London Dry methods with botanical sourcing from regional growers, aiming to honor Argentine terroir in a spirit rather than a wine. Awards are concrete proof: the World Gin Awards 2023 Gold Medal for La Francesa Small Batch 2023 elevated the brand internationally and positioned Destilería Thevenon among Argentina’s most competitive craft spirits houses.

The product journey at La Francesa centers on a tight portfolio and a disciplined release schedule. La Francesa Small Batch 2023 is the flagship expression: produced as a London Dry Gin with seven botanicals, it shows citrus peel and green herb aromatics on the nose, a clean juniper spine, anise and coriander mid-palate, then a long, spicy, peppery finish that lingers across the palate. The core La Francesa London Dry Gin follows the same botanical template but in larger release volumes; both expressions are finished to highlight balance for sipping and for elevated cocktails. Destilería Thevenon also runs a barrel program and occasional limited editions—allocated single-barrel or small-cooperage finishes are released periodically to collectors and on-trade partners, underscoring the distillery’s commitment to variation and experimentation. Production notes emphasize pot-style or hybrid still distillation, careful cut timing and low-volume proofing to preserve aromatic complexity. For travelers seeking rarity, allocated bottles from barrel programs and the Small Batch 2023 release present collectible opportunities.

Visitors to the distillery encounter a focused, urban facility rather than a sprawling rural estate; the still house and bottling benches convey craft intensity. The tasting room experience leans contemporary and educational: guided spirits tastings sample the Small Batch 2023 alongside core expressions, with the master distiller or senior stillman explaining botanical selection and distillation cuts. Architecture is functional and refined—polished copper, glass displays of botanicals, and a compact barrel area that illustrates the distillery’s barrel experiments. Private tastings and comparative flights can be arranged, offering side-by-side comparisons of small-batch versus regular releases and, when available, barrel-finished samples.

Best times to visit are during weekday afternoons and early evenings, when the production team can lead focused tasting sessions; advanced booking is recommended due to limited small-batch allocations and curated tour capacity. La Francesa Gin Distillery offers guided spirits tastings and private appointments for collectors; check Destilería Thevenon’s official channels for release dates and limited-edition drops.

Experience La Francesa Gin Distillery for a sensory study in botanical balance and technical distillation. Whether you travel to Buenos Aires seeking award-winning London Dry gin or are chasing a limited barrel release, La Francesa rewards careful attention: book ahead, taste deliberately, and bring home a bottle that records both place and practice.