Christian Drouin XO Calvados

This bottle contains a blend of spirits that have been aged for a minimum of 8 years. Some of Drouin's bottles have a combination of pear and apple flavors, but the XO variety is 100% apple. It retains the pure apple taste and slight funk reminiscent of outstanding Norman cider, even after being aged in oak. This is exactly what I appreciate in Calvados. Drouin uses casks from sherry, port, and cognac, as well as old oak and cider barrels, to create a Calvados with exceptional richness and subtlety, featuring flavors of nuttiness and salinity. The XO Calvados from Christian Drouin offers a delightful blend of cinnamon-baked apples, almond, and ginger aromas. On the palate, you can taste wild apples, apricots, roasted nuts, cinnamon, oak, and raisins. The nutty, salty, and sea-breeze characteristics provide a pleasing contrast to the dense, vibrant, and ripe apple flavors. This Calvados has undeniably gained depth and complexity with age, but it has avoided becoming overly oxidized or overwhelmed by the taste of wood.