Christian Drouin Pomme Prisonniere - Calvados Pays d'Auge - Wooden Box

Volume: 0.9 litres | Alcohol content: 40%

Special Features:

The apple in Pomme Prisonnière really does grow inside the glass. In spring, the Alleaume fruit-growing family attaches decanters to apple trees near Gonneville-sur-Honfleur, guiding the still-small fruit through the necks. Four to five months later, the decanters containing the ripe apples are taken down, cleaned and filled with Calvados by the Drouin family.

During the subsequent months of maceration, the apple releases its aromas into the Calvados Pays d'Auge. The fruit is therefore more than a visual attraction: it also contributes to the flavour. The process requires considerable experience and careful timing. On average, only around 40% of the decanters originally hung in the trees can be sold.

The decanter in this version contains 0.9 litres at 40% alcohol and is presented in a wooden box with a sliding lid. To keep the apple fully submerged after opening, the decanter can be topped up with Christian Drouin Calvados Pays d'Auge before the liquid level falls too far.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, vanilla and fresh oak mingle with garden herbs and subtle spice notes.
• Palate: The Calvados opens softly on the palate, revealing ripe apples and pears with a notably delicate character.
• Finish: The fruitiness slowly fades, while pronounced spice lingers on the tongue.

Distillery/Bottler:

The history of the house of Christian Drouin began in 1960 with the purchase of the Fiefs Sainte-Anne farm near Honfleur. Working with experienced distiller Pierre Pivet, Christian Drouin senior initially built up stocks of maturing Calvados. His son joined the business in 1969, and commercial sales began in 1979. Following the move in 1991–1992, production has been based at a 17th-century farm in Coudray-Rabut near Pont-l'Évêque. Guillaume Drouin joined in 2004, bringing the third generation into the business.

For the house's Calvados Pays d'Auge, the cider is distilled twice in a pot still. Heads and tails are separated during both runs, with the cut points adjusted to the particular cider. Drouin also takes a gentle approach to pressing the apples, using a pneumatic press. Pomme Prisonnière adds a collaboration with the Alleaume family to this work: drawing on their tradition of growing pears inside decanters, Christian Drouin and Didier Alleaume developed the apple version, which first went on sale in 1981.

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