Christian Drouin Calvados Hors D’Age 70cl

The Hors d’Age Calvados Pays d’Auge from little-known producer Christian Drouin, spends 15 years matured in oak casks before it’s ready to be enjoyed. Following its long maturation, this intense Calvados has taken on plenty of aromatic spices from the oak, but has retained a good base of sweet, rich fruit. They recommend letting it breathe briefly in the glass before enjoying it, and perhaps pairing it with a cigar.

Christian Drouin’s Hors d’Age Calvados has been aged for more than 15 years. Complex yet balanced, this has notes of stewed apples and delicate wood spice. This makes a great match with cigars.

Like all Drouin Pays d’Auge bottlings, this is made from 100% apples, and distilled in wood-fired antique stills over direct flame. The wood policy relies heavily on reconditioned ex-Bordeaux barrels, but sometimes adds shades of complexity by using sherry, port, and cognac casks, as well as some more exotic choices. Their Hors d’Age is aged over 15 years.

The oak, the apples, and a characteristic spicy-vinegar note all contribute to the sense of dimension and completeness this displays on the nose. On the palate these components are more integrated, giving rise to a toasty, nutty, sherried aspect and a distinctive note of bubblegum which, though pleasant, is a bit distracting.

Aged 15+ years and one of the signatures of C. Drouin. Significant usage of ex-cognac casks emphasizes deep, rich notes of orange peel, baking spices and apple pie. A thrilling, top-drawer Pays d’Auge Calvados that smells and tastes of baked apple strudel and baked pear…hard to find anymore but worth the search.