Best Lower-Norman Beverage Types
Calvados is a brandy distilled from apple cider or a combination of apples and pears. The fermented juice is usually double distilled to create the base of the brandy, which is then aged, and finally blended.
The production of Calvados is strictly regulated, and final products are classified according to the length of maturation, with two years being the minimum aging period. The appellation Calvados is divided into three sub-regions that slightly differ in the base ingredient, terroir, and the distillation process.
THE BEST Calvados Fruit Brandies
CALVADOS CHRISTIAN DROUIN
La Fine de Lelouvier
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold 2023
Château du Breuil
Calvados Pays D'Auge - 15 Ans
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding 2020
SPIRIT FRANCE DIFFUSION
PERE MAGLOIRE EDITION SPECIALE HORS D'AGE
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold 2021
Pays d'Auge Cambremer is a cider made by the process of fermentation of a traditional variety of apples in the French regions of Lower and Upper Normandy. The Cambremer area is in the middle of the Pays d'Auge. The fermentation of the chopped or grated apples is a slow process, and the final product is an unsweetened, unpasteurized and natural cider with a fruity flavor and an amber color.
It has a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness and has been renowned for its quality since the time of King Henry IV when his doctor mentioned the unique cider in his writings. It still holds a very high reputation in France and is sold in glass bottles of different shapes and sizes that are suitable for the internal pressure resistance caused by the final stage of fermentation.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Kir Normand is a variation of the famous Kir, made with a combination of crème de cassis, Calvados, and Normandy cider (instead of wine). In order to prepare it, all ingredients should be poured into a flute glass and stirred. This cocktail can be garnished with an apple twist, if desired.
In Normandy, it is usually enjoyed at Christmas and New Year.
Domfront is a perry, a sparkling drink made from several varieties of hand-picked perry pears in the French regions of l'Orne, Mayenne and Manche. The perry is made by fermentation and is characterized by its clear, pale yellow to golden yellow color and fine bubbles.
The taste of Domfront perry is fruity and flowery, with undertones of exotic fruit, toast and brioche, somewhat acidic and sweet because of the unfermented sugars in it. Aeration is strictly prohibited; the perry sparkles because of the natural slow fermentation that lasts six weeks.
This unpasteurized sparkling cider is produced in the northern half of the department of La Manche, and it is predominantly made from the fruit juice of bitter and bittersweet apple varieties. The cider has a fine sparkle and ranges from straw yellow to orange-yellow.
It is characterized by a good balance of freshness and subtle acidity, while it typically displays aromas of dried grass and butter. Cidre Cotentin ciders range from 3,5% to 5,5% ABV, and the varieties marked as extra brut tend to have a more pronounced bitterness and slightly firmer tannic structure.
Best Lower-Norman Beverage Producers
Calvados Boulard is a renowned French producer specializing in Calvados, an apple brandy originating from the Normandy region. Established in 1825, the company is known for its commitment to quality, blending tradition with modern techniques. Boulard uses a variety of apples grown in the Pays d'Auge, a region famous for producing some of the finest Calvados.
Their distillation process, combined with careful aging in oak barrels, creates complex and refined spirits. The brand offers a range of Calvados, from young, fresh varieties to well-aged expressions, appealing to both newcomers and connoisseurs.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Silver
2024
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023
BEST Calvados Boulard Spirits
Père Magloire is one of the oldest and most prestigious producers of Calvados, founded in 1821 in the Normandy region of France. The distillery specializes in creating high-quality apple brandies using traditional methods, drawing on over two centuries of expertise.
Père Magloire carefully selects apples from the Pays d'Auge, renowned for its rich apple orchards, and follows a meticulous double distillation process. Their Calvados offers a wide range of expressions, from young and vibrant to aged and complex, each showcasing rich apple flavors, subtle spices, and refined character.
Armagnac Janneau is one of the oldest and most prestigious Armagnac producers in France, founded in 1851 by Pierre Etienne Janneau in the town of Condom, located in the heart of the Armagnac region. For over a century and a half, Maison Janneau has remained faithful to traditional production methods, combining them with innovations to create high-quality Armagnacs.
It is particularly distinguished by its use of two distillation methods: continuous distillation and double distillation in traditional copper stills, a rarity among Armagnac producers. All production processes, from distillation to aging and bottling, take place within the AOC Armagnac region, ensuring authenticity and superior quality in every product.
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2021
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2021
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST Armagnac Janneau Spirits
AWARDS
USA Wine Ratings - Gold
2022
BEST Calvados Pierre Huet Wines
Best Lower-Norman Beverages
Boulard V. S. O.P. Calvados is a distinguished apple brandy made from carefully selected apples from the Pays d'Auge region in Normandy. Aged for at least four years in oak barrels, this V. S. O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) expression offers a rich and balanced flavor profile.
The aroma reveals notes of ripe apples, vanilla, and dried fruits, with delicate undertones of oak and spices. On the palate, it delivers smooth and harmonious flavors of caramelized apple, honey, and subtle hints of almond and cinnamon, leading to a refined and lingering finish.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
Boulard Auguste X. O. Calvados is a tribute to the brand's founder, Auguste Boulard, and reflects their long-standing expertise in crafting high-quality Calvados. This extra-old Calvados is aged for many years in oak barrels, creating a rich and sophisticated spirit.
It boasts complex aromas of baked apples, dried fruits, vanilla, and subtle spices. On the palate, it offers a harmonious blend of flavors, including caramelized apples, almonds, and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, with a long, velvety finish. This premium Calvados is a true reflection of Boulard's dedication to tradition and craftsmanship, offering a refined tasting experience.
AWARDS
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2023
Père Magloire V. S. O.P. Calvados is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship, embodying the essence of the Pays d’Auge region in Normandy. Made exclusively from carefully selected apple cider, this calvados showcases the unique characteristics of one of the most renowned terroirs in the world.
The region's rich soil and mild climate create the perfect environment for growing exceptional apples, which are at the heart of this spirit. What sets Père Magloire V. S. O.P. apart is its meticulous production process. The cider undergoes double distillation in traditional copper pot stills, a method that enhances the complexity and depth of its flavors.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
Armagnac Chevalier d'Espalet VS is a distinguished French brandy produced primarily in the Bas Armagnac and Ténarèze regions. This blend is aged for a minimum of two years, resulting in a golden-amber spirit with a complex flavor profile. It offers fresh aromas of fruit, grapes, and marshmallows, complemented by hints of vanilla and subtle wood tones.
On the palate, it delivers flavors of candied orange, caramel, cinnamon, and nutty notes, layered with ripe peach and apricot. The finish is characterized by vanilla and orchard fruit, fresh and wonderfully balanced. This Armagnac is ideal for enjoying neat at the end of a meal, allowing its rich aromas to fully develop.
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2021
Boulard X. O. Mizunara Cask Finish Calvados is a sophisticated blend of carefully selected apple brandies, first aged in French oak barrels and then finished in rare Mizunara oak casks from Japan. This double maturation process imparts unique depth and complexity, enhancing the traditional Calvados with delicate oriental notes.
The aroma features rich baked apples, vanilla, and subtle spices, while the palate reveals smooth layers of caramelized fruit, toasted oak, and exotic hints of sandalwood, coconut, and incense. The finish is long and elegant, reflecting the fusion of Norman craftsmanship and Japanese artistry.
AWARDS
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2022
AWARDS
USA Wine Ratings - Gold
2022
Janneau XO is the flagship Armagnac of the Janneau collection, blending eaux-de-vie from the Bas-Armagnac and Armagnac-Ténarèze regions, crafted from Baco and Ugni Blanc grape varieties. The youngest components are aged for 10 years, while the oldest mature for over 30 years in oak barrels.
It features a coppery amber color with hints of burnished copper. On the nose, it reveals aromas of candied plum, Reine-Claude plum, oak, and red fruits. The palate is intense and well-balanced, offering notes of oak, quince, sour cherries, followed by almonds and concluding with spicy nuances.
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2021
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2021
Boulard X. O. Calvados is an exceptional apple brandy crafted from a meticulous selection of apples from the Pays d'Auge region in Normandy. This X. O. (Extra Old) expression is aged for several years in oak barrels, resulting in a complex and elegant flavor profile.
It offers rich aromas of baked apples, vanilla, and dried fruits, with subtle hints of spices and toasted oak. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious blend of flavors, including caramelized apple, almond, and a touch of cinnamon, leading to a long, smooth finish.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Silver
2024
AWARDS
U.S. Open Beer Championship - Gold
2023
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