Christian Drouin Hors d'age Calvados Pays d'Auge Mini

Volume: 0.05 litres | Alcohol content: 42%

Special Features:

Small oak casks shape the long maturation of this Hors d'âge. The blend brings together Calvados aged for eighteen years; many of the casks used previously held Cognac. They contribute fine, silky tannins as well as floral and spicy notes. Despite its supple texture, the Calvados has an intense, powerful character.

Bitter, bittersweet, sweet and sharp cider apples are used for the Hors d'âge. The resulting cider is distilled twice in copper pot stills. The miniature contains 0.05 litres at 42% alcohol. Mature leather and walnut notes complement the spice of this long-established blend.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The fruity nose is shaped by baked apple and pear. Vanilla, cinnamon and a hint of toasted wood are joined by floral and spicy notes.
• Palate: The Calvados is powerful and intense on the palate, with fine, silky tannins. Stewed orchard fruit and toffee combine with a subtle cocoa note to create a supple, generous flavour.
• Finish: The long finish is warming, with lingering apple peel and spice notes.

Distillery/Bottler:

The family house of Christian Drouin is based in Normandy's Pays d'Auge. Its estate in the Touques valley combines a cider house and a distillery with 17th-century half-timbered buildings. An orchard of traditional standard trees preserves around 20 different cider apple varieties.

Blending is one of the house's central tasks: the cellar master combines Calvados from different years to achieve a particular character and the desired balance. Several dozen individual Calvados may come together in a single cuvée. The selection and interplay of spirits matured in different ways thus determine the style of each bottling.

Facts: