🥃 Cîroc
French vodka made from grape spirit (Ugni Blanc); created in 2003 by Jean-Sébastien Robicquet; owned by Diageo; 40 % ABV.
Cîroc is a French vodka made not from grain but from grapes. The brand was created in 2003 by master distiller Jean-Sébastien Robicquet and is now owned by Diageo. The base is grape spirit, chiefly from the Ugni Blanc variety; the strength is 40 % ABV. In the United States the brand was promoted by the rapper Sean Combs.
The sources name different varieties: Difford's Guide writes of grape spirit "exclusively", including Ugni Blanc, a variety widespread in the Cognac region, while VinePair mentions Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc. Mauzac Blanc is associated with Gaillac; we do not record the shares of each variety because the sources do not agree. The brand page speaks of "French grapes" and production by Maison Villevert.
The sources differ on distillation. According to VinePair, the base wine is distilled four times in column stills and once more in a copper pot still at the Distillerie de Chevanceaux in the south of France. The official website speaks of a "fifth distillation", while Difford's Guide does not describe the process. We do not specify the number or the equipment, only that the last stage is a copper pot still, according to VinePair.
From 2007 the brand was promoted in the United States in partnership with Sean Combs. According to VinePair, sales grew from about 50 thousand to two million cases a year; according to available data, the partnership ended in 2024, and Diageo remained the sole owner. The range also includes nine flavours.
Why this matters to you. Cîroc is a vodka made from grapes, so for people who avoid grain it has a different composition, but it is not a weaker drink: 40 % ABV. Under EU rules, if a vodka is made from something other than grain or potatoes, the raw material is stated on the label, so look for it. Flavoured versions have a different recipe. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 2003, Jean-Sébastien Robicquet (France); from 2007 a partnership between Diageo and Sean Combs in the US (ended 2024, according to available data) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, category 15 (vodka); not made from grain, so the raw material is stated on the label |
| EU category | 15 — vodka |
| Raw material | grape spirit: Ugni Blanc (Difford's Guide), also Mauzac Blanc (VinePair); not grain |
| Distillation method | according to VinePair: four distillations in column stills and one in a copper pot still (Chevanceaux); sources differ |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40 % ABV |
What it includes
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Cîroc → kind of → 🌾 Vodka and grain spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Made from
- 🌿 Grape
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving, 🍷 Alcohol dependence
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🌾 Vodka and grain spirits, 🍸 Vodka
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Grey Goose, 🥃 Absolut, 🥃 Belvedere, 🥃 Belvedere, 🥃 Grey Goose, 🥃 Crystal Head Vodka, 🥃 Crystal Head Vodka
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Cîroc is made from grain?
No. It is a vodka made from grape spirit, chiefly from the Ugni Blanc variety (Difford's Guide; VinePair adds Mauzac Blanc).
Who owns Cîroc?
Diageo. The partnership with Sean Combs, which ran from 2007, ended in 2024 according to available data.
How strong is Cîroc?
40 % ABV for the classic version; for flavoured ones, check the label.
Where is Cîroc made?
In France; VinePair names the Distillerie de Chevanceaux in the south of the country, and the official website names Maison Villevert.
When did the brand appear?
In 2003; it was created by master distiller Jean-Sébastien Robicquet.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
- 🥃 Grey Goose — French vodka from Picardie soft winter wheat and spring water from a well in Gensac-la-Pallue, blended in the Cognac region; launched in 1997 and owned by Bacardi.
Similar
🥃 Grey Goose · 🥃 Finlandia · 🥃 Belvedere · 🥃 Everclear · 🥃 Absolut · 🥃 St-Germain
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Art. 2 and Annex I
- Difford's Guide: Cîroc Vodka (Diageo; 40 %; exclusively grape spirit, Ugni Blanc; Jean-Sébastien Robicquet)
- VinePair: Cîroc flavors guide (Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc; Distillerie de Chevanceaux; Diageo; Sean Combs; flavours)
- Cîroc: офіційний сайт марки (made from French grapes, Maison Villevert; © Diageo)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)