Barge 166

Barge 166 from Maison Ferrand is the world's first floating aging cellar, moored on the Seine in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris. This restored Freycinet barge from 1948, typical of the Paris basin, has been transformed into a maturation cellar housing 1,500 custom 30-litre casks of cognac and rum. Maison Ferrand, a French family-owned spirits house based in Cognac, is internationally recognized for Cognac Ferrand, Plantation Rum, and Citadelle Gin. The venue offers a unique private cask ownership experience, allowing guests to select their spirit, track its maturation on the water, and decide when to bottle it. Guided by Margaux Lespinasse, head of private casks and cellar keeper, visitors receive expert assistance in spirit selection, refinement, and tastings. Alexandre Gabriel, owner and master distiller since 1989, leads the project, known for reviving ancestral techniques and having won over 1,200 awards. Barge 166 emphasizes dynamic aging, craftsmanship, and innovation, enabling guests to customize the distillation style, terroir, aging profile, and level of toasting of the casks. The spirits mature for six months to two years in the humid floating cellar, enhancing their concentration and character before being bottled in personalized 50 cl bottles with bespoke labels. Beyond cask ownership, the barge serves as an exclusive hospitality venue, hosting cocktail evenings on its beautiful terrace, tailored spirit tastings, gourmet dinners, private activities, and customized events throughout the year.