Christian Drouin VSOP Calvados (700ml)

Also referred to as 'Pale & Dry' Drouin's VSOP lands at a minimum of four years old. Produced from Pays d'Auge fruit with a portion aged in small 225 litre x-wine casks, plus a number of x-fortified wine casks, it's described as a crisp, focused and appetising Calvados showing lovely balance and persistence. Expect notes of sweet cider, baked apples, gingerbread, vanilla and cinnamon with a supple, generous palate and an apply finish. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Lush notes of salted butterscotch, maple and pear play against a drying core of oak; more fruit comes through on the finish. Relatively full-bodied, with a buttery, palate-coating feel. 90 points - wineenthusiast.com

...Ripe, dripping baked apple with flecks of delectably musty golden pear on the nose lead into a heavenly calvados. Bountiful apple charm from the lightness of its blossoms to the astringency of its skin and everything in between. Graceful aging imparts just enough vanilla and caramel to encapsulate this classic of the category. 92 points - Excellent / highly recommended, Ultimate spirits challenge, USA (2019)

"Exuding warm spice, lightly caramelized sugar, and fresh apple peel, Christian Drouin VSOP Calvados checks all the classic cider brandy boxes and more. Sweet baked pear, cardamom, and warming butter round out the middle, with faint licorice and clove on the end balancing out what is otherwise a jubilantly hedonistic flavor profile." 94 points - distiller.com