Whereas nearly each unbiased bottler is releasing cognac and rum nowadays, Calvados continues to be taking on a small share. Maybe as a result of its apparent fruity character makes it fairly completely different from whisky and even cognac?
Distilia and Rob Bauer have simply launched the third expression in its seven-part The Sins collection (together with a wonderful Lengthy Pond 1983). Nicknamed Gluttony, it’s a 1964 Calvados Domfrontais, made with 40% apple and 60% pear.
Calvados Christian Drouin 58 yo 1964 ‘Gluttony’ (47,9%, Distilia ‘The Sins’ 2024, cask #F294, 165 btl.)
Nostril: advanced and hybrid, mixing apple spirit with previous rum and different drinks. We’re getting juicy pear but additionally tangerines, walnuts, apple syrup and bitter cherries. Papaya within the background, in addition to some honeyed almond. Then hardwood varnish, soaked raisins and honeysuckle, shifting in the direction of blossomy notes. Treasured oriental wooden and a pinch of cinnamon too. Extraordinary.
Mouth: superbly full, oily and contemporary on the similar time. Bitter fruits once more, apples and pears, oranges and lime. Tarte tatin with caramelized sugar and bitter berries. Natural honey, hints of cloves and oak polish. Then there’s roasted chestnut, walnuts and thyme, with a delicate bitter edge that provides away its age. Cedar wooden seems, together with hints of tobacco leaves.
End: lengthy and drying, on bitter apple, flippantly caramelized nuts, tangy roots and herbs.
The truth that it manages to retain the brightness and fruity sparkle whereas additionally having an excellent darker, candy aspect, makes this the most effective Calvados I’ve had to this point. Now on sale.
Let’s pair this to a different Calvados from the identical home, bottled by Decadent Drinks as the one ever Apple Sponge launch. It blends equal elements of casks from 1988 and 1991.
Calvados Christian Drouin 32 yo 1988 + 1991 (48,6%, Apple Sponge 2024, 120 btl.)
Nostril: we’re nearer to the fruits right here. Packing containers filled with apples, with stewed pears, bitter apple syrup from Limburg, and apple crumble. A pleasant stability between honey sweetness and fruity acidity. Barely greener and barely tighter than the 1964 however nonetheless intently associated. Properly fragrant too.
Mouth: barely darker now, with some figs and raisins balancing the apple sourness. A bit of brown sugar, together with cedar wooden and hints of pepper. Cloves and natural honey, with hints of toffee. At all times retaining the center between sourness, sweetness and spice. Only a delicate grassy be aware together with some thyme.
End: lengthy, with some floral touches, previous oak and baked apples.
It is probably not completely honest to have a youthful one after the 1964, nevertheless it does stand as much as it. Nonetheless out there from Decadent Drinks or Royal Mile Whiskies as an illustration. Rating: 90/100
