Christian Drouin 20 years of age Calvados AOC

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40% | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Twenty years of maturation in oak casks shape this Calvados from Christian Drouin. It bears the Calvados Contrôlée appellation and combines ripe fruit with floral touches and delicate woody notes. Bottled at 40% alcohol, it comes in a bottle containing 0.7 litres, with gift packaging.

Its aromatic range also includes autumn apples, apple pie and brioche. Delicate hints of cinnamon and earth complement these impressions.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, fruity and floral notes combine with a hint of vanilla and oak.
• Palate: The Calvados is full-bodied on the palate. Ripe apples and spices meet a balanced interplay of sweetness and acidity.
• Finish: The finish is long and smooth, with subtle nutty notes.

Distillery/Bottler:

The family firm's history began in 1960 with the purchase of the Fiefs Sainte-Anne farm near Gonneville-sur-Honfleur. Christian Drouin senior had his cider distilled with the help of distiller Pierre Pivet, initially building up stocks of maturing Calvados. Sales did not begin until 1979. In 1991–1992, the need for more space prompted a move of production to a 17th-century farm in Coudray-Rabut near Pont-l'Evêque.

The firm's approach begins with standard-tree orchards and careful apple processing. After washing, sorting and crushing, the apple pulp rests for several hours in a stainless-steel tank. It is then gently pressed using a pneumatic press. The resulting ciders are stored for several months before distillation; longer storage gives the firm more structured spirits suited to extended maturation.

In its maturation cellars, Christian Drouin mainly uses small casks that have often been used repeatedly. These casks limit the extraction of bitter tannins. Each blend follows its own maturation programme, tailored to its age and intended style. Guillaume Drouin, a trained agricultural engineer and oenologist, joined the company in 2004. Together with his father, he tastes the spirits in the casks and creates the blends.

Facts: