Review by: Raygun

This is an unusual one, at least in my experience. Seen plenty age unstated Calvados, but not anything as young as 2. Barely a handshake with a cask; the bare minimum to qualify legally as Calvados. Label says it’s a blend of two-year-old casks selected for aromatic intensity. I presume it’s all apple, but it’s not specified. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes.

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Distillery: Christian Drouin

Bottler: Christian Drouin

Region/style: Calvados Pays d’Auge

ABV: 53%

Age: Two years

Cask type: Presumably French oak 

Color: 0.3 pale gold

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Nose: Intensely aromatic. Apples, leaves, and an impression of bracing acidity.   

Palate: Even more apple than present on the nose. Very intense. There’s a green sort of taste to it, like what came across as leaves on the nose. Quite tart, with a touch of warm spice and a little caramel.    

Finish: To no surprise, more apples. Very tart, with an almost lemony kind of acidity. The merest hint of oak and a little caramel. Really, about what you’d expect from distilling apples.   

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Conclusion: A fun contrast with the more mature Calvados I’ve had. Very different from the more oaked older sort. Retains a lot of cider character, the acidity in particular. It ends up working quite well. Not too much to it other than bold tart apple flavor, but I like that so I’m not complaining.

Score: 81

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent brandy worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.