French Herbal Liqueur · Fécamp, Normandy · Since 1863
Twenty-seven herbs and spices, distilled in small batches and rested in oak at Fécamp on the Normandy coast, in a palace built specifically to make one bottle. Honeyed, saffron-warm and quietly complex, Bénédictine is the herbal liqueur for people who find the others too austere — and the D.O.M. on the label has been there since the beginning.
The legend: a Venetian monk at the Benedictine abbey of Fécamp writes down an elixir of herbs and spices. The abbey is later lost to revolution.
1863
Alexandre Le Grand, a Fécamp wine merchant, says he found the recipe among family papers, reworks it and begins bottling it commercially.
D.O.M.
Deo Optimo Maximo — "to God, most good, most great" — the Benedictine dedication, printed on every label since.
The Palais
Le Grand built an extravagant Gothic-Renaissance palace at Fécamp to house the distillery. It still makes the liqueur, and you can still visit.
What Sets It Apart
Twenty-Seven Botanicals
Angelica, hyssop, myrrh, saffron, juniper and more
Separate Distillations
Blended, then rested in oak before bottling
Honeyed, Not Bitter
The approachable end of the herbal shelf
Unchanged Since 1863
Still made only at Fécamp, still to the same formula
Tasting Profile
Honey
Saffron & Spice
Herbal
Citrus Peel
HoneySaffronAngelicaWarm SpiceLong Finish
How to Serve It
B & B
Half Bénédictine, half brandy, stirred and served neat
The Vieux Carré
Rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, a spoon of this, bitters
With Hot Water
A measure topped with hot water — the Lancashire way
Pairs Well With
Milk Chocolate
Honey and cocoa, an easy match
Aged Cheese
Salt and sharpness against all that honey
Tarte Tatin
Caramelised apple, straight out of Normandy
A Cold Evening
The bottle that earns its place in winter
The Finishing Touches
Green Velvet Gift Box
Our signature presentation box, added at checkout.
Hand-Tied Ribbon
Wide cream satin, tied by hand into a full bow.
Signature Gift Bag
Our matching gift bag, so it's ready to hand over on arrival.
Your Message
Add a personal note at checkout — we'll include it with the delivery.
Sending it as a surprise? Enter the recipient's address at checkout and we'll deliver straight to their door, boxed, ribboned and carrying your message — in as little as 30–45 minutes anywhere in London.
How We Deliver
London · 30–45 Minutes
Delivered to your door 24/7, 365 days a year, across Greater London.
UK-Wide Delivery
Express in 1–2 business days, standard in 3–5. Rates shown at checkout.
Tracked & Confirmed
Shipment confirmation with live tracking sent to your email.
Challenge 21
Age verified on delivery — 18+ ID required. Responsible retailing, always.
At a Glance
Origin
Fécamp, Normandy, France
Style
Herbal liqueur
Botanicals
27 herbs and spices
Signature Serve
B & B, or neat
ABV
40%
Bottle Size
70cl
Questions
What does D.O.M. stand for?
Deo Optimo Maximo — "to God, most good, most great" — the traditional Benedictine dedication. It has been on the label since Alexandre Le Grand began bottling in 1863, and it is not a strength or an age statement, which is the usual guess.
How is it different from other herbal liqueurs?
It is the sweet, honeyed one. Where Chartreuse is bracing and Jägermeister is dark and bitter, Bénédictine leads with honey and saffron, with the herbs sitting underneath. If someone has found herbal liqueurs too punishing, this is the one that changes their mind.
Is the monastery story true?
Partly, and the house is relaxed about it. There was a Benedictine abbey at Fécamp, and monks there did distil. Whether Le Grand genuinely found a 1510 recipe in his family papers or built a very good story around his own formula is something historians still enjoy arguing about.
Who is this a good gift for?
The classic-cocktail drinker who has the rye and the vermouth, the person who likes a small warming glass after dinner, and anyone with a soft spot for France. The bottle is a genuine object — squat, amber, with that gold seal — so it needs very little dressing up.
Can you deliver it directly to the person I'm gifting?
Yes — enter their address at checkout and add your message. In London it can be at their door within 30–45 minutes, any hour of the day. The recipient must be 18+ with ID for our Challenge 21 check.
Why Buy From Drinks House 247
✔ 100% authentic stock✔ 4.8★ Google · 223 reviews✔ Gift-boxed and ribboned✔ Open 24/7, 365 days✔ London's 24-hour spirits house, based in Battersea
18+ Please enjoy Bénédictine responsibly. For guidance and support, visit drinkaware.co.uk.
