A Meeting of Worlds in the Heart of Charentes 

In a category full of “me too” brands, Résidence stands out because it refuses to flatten its identity. This is a house built from two very different worlds, and all the richness that comes from letting those worlds coexist.

Mathieu Leboeuf grew up in the Charentes countryside, where distillation is part of everyday life. Copper stills in barns, the unmistakable scent of fresh distillate, and family conversations about vineyards and ripeness created the framework that guides him today. His sensibility is of that environment: technical, precise, and respectful of tradition. The raw materials of his childhood:  Ugni Blanc grapes, clay-limestone soils, slow double distillation, these all form the backbone of Résidence today. You feel that heritage immediately in the V.S.O.P. Cognac, which leans on organic viticulture and the classic Charentais method to achieve its structure, spice, and orchard-fruit notes. 

But Résidence is not a legacy Cognac house. It’s something more contemporary, more global, and more personal. The second half of this story is Tamiko Leboeuf, whose Australian upbringing and Sri Lankan family roots bring coastal freshness, spice, generosity, and a very different culinary vocabulary.

Together, they’ve built a spirits house that bridges continents and traditions without diluting either identity.

“Mathieu and Tamiko are exactly the kind of people I want in our portfolio. They really care about everything they do. How the land is farmed matters to them, but so do the people who work the land and the people who drink their spirits. Every bottle feels personal, and that’s what makes Résidence special.”
— Jean-Philippe Bourgeois

 

A Philosophy Built Around Craft, Ecology, and Authenticity

Résidence operates on three commitments that line up squarely with the JP Bourgeois ethos:

Craftmanship

Everything is deliberate: small-batch distillation, hands-on work, and carefully chosen ingredients: organic grains, organically farmed grapes, and botanicals harvested at peak ripeness. 

Agro-Ecology

Agroecology is a guiding principle for Mathieu and Tamiko. One that shapes every step of their production process. At its core, agroecology places people at the center of the ecosystem:  people who care for the soil, the plants, and the animals they work alongside. But it goes further than land stewardship; it also considers the social systems that influence and sustain those same environments.

Authenticity

Mathieu and Tamiko’s credo is: “Eager to innovate while remaining committed to tradition.” In this way, they can pay homage to time-honored techniques while also embracing new approaches that allow them to create the unique flavor profiles that are the hallmark of their house.

 

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The Spirits: A Range That Reflects Their Vision

 

Résidence Organic Gin:

A bright, aromatic expression that blends classic juniper character with citrus lift and botanical depth. It’s elegant in a Martini but absolutely sings in a French 75.

Awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast

 

Résidence V.S.O.P. Cognac:

A rare organic Cognac shaped by patience, oak aging, and the warmth of the Charentes terroir. Smooth (with absolutely no hot spots), spiced, and expressive. This cognac is exceptional served neat or as the base of an elevated cocktail.

Awarded 92 pt by Wine Enthusiast
Named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 100 Best Spirits of 2023 (scroll to Résidence VSOP Cognac)

 

Résidence Pineau des Charentes:

An under-the-radar regional gem that balances gentle sweetness, freshness, and floral lift. It’s increasingly popular as a low-ABV alternative and an unexpectedly versatile cocktail ingredient.

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Let’s Make Some Cocktails!

 

Résidence French 75 (with Philippe Fontaine Tradition)

Showcases the gin’s citrus-driven lift and botanical elegance.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Résidence Organic Distilled Gin
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3 oz Philippe Fontaine Champagne Tradition
• Lemon twist

Method
Shake gin, lemon, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a Champagne flute. Top with Philippe Fontaine Tradition and garnish with a lemon twist.

The Bacchanalian (with Résidence V.S.O.P. Cognac)

A modern Cognac cocktail with richness and visual appeal.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Résidence V.S.O.P. Cognac
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 3/4 oz honey syrup
• 2 dashes bitters
• Roc Meynard Red Wine Float

Method
Shake all but the wine with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Gently float the wine on top.

Working With Pineau des Charentes

The most approachable way to introduce Pineau to customers is to keep it simple and highlight its versatility.

Low-ABV alternatives:

• Serve chilled as an apéritif
• Splash in some Philippe Fontaine Tradition
• Use in place of Cognac for a softer, fruit-forward variation on classic cocktails

As a modifier:

• Add to Mojitos for brightness
• Blend with gin for a floral lift
• Pair with Irish whiskey or unpeated Scotch for a honeyed twist
• Stir with tonic, ginger beer, or yuzu
• Mix with white wine, Suze, or plum liqueur

Harvest Spritz (Pineau des Charentes)

An easy, fruit-forward cocktail that introduces Pineau to beginners.

Ingredients

• 2.5 oz Résidence Pineau des Charentes (blanc)
• 1 tsp Résidence Cognac
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 oz sparkling French apple cider
• Fresh apple, grape, pear, or fig slices

Method
Build over ice, stir gently, garnish generously.

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More Than Great Spirits: A Shared Ethos

For JP, bringing on a producer is never just about what’s in the bottle, though the quality here is exceptional. It’s about trust, partnership, and the shared belief that the work matters. 

Mathieu and Tamiko care deeply about how they make spirits, who makes them, and who gets to enjoy them. They believe in connection, in tradition as a living thing, and in spirits that tell a story. “This is exactly the kind of producer I want our customers to know,” JP said after visiting them. And after spending time with their spirits (and their story) it’s easy to see why. 

The market is shifting toward spirit brands with real intentions: transparent sourcing, organic farming, and distinct points of view. Résidence fits that moment exactly. But more importantly, people taste these spirits and come back. For wholesale buyers, it’s the rare trifecta: sustainable, story-driven, and truly excellent in the glass.