Review by: The Auditor

Review #1389; Brandy #74

This Calvados was bottled by Amateur Spirit from the Pays d’Auge Giard estate, headed up by 13th generation distillers Michèle and Patrice Giard. The apples used in production are 50 varieties grown in marine soils and left in the attic before being fermented sur lie and aged in oak vats. It was distilled on a 15 hectoliter Charentais still in 1973 and aged in oak from 1973-2019, when it was put into steel tanks. It was then bottled with natural color, no additives, and no chill-filtration.

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Distillery: Pays d’Auge Giard estate

Bottler: Amateur Spirit

Region:  France

Still: Charentais

ABV: 44%

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Nose:  Nutty, Apple Skin, , Brine,  Apple Cider Vinegar, Lavender

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Apple Skin, Nutty, Apple Cider Vinegar, Brine, and Lavender, Earl Grey Tea, minerality

Finish:  Long finish, Lavender, Apple Cider Vinegar, Brine, Nutty, Earl Grey Tea, minerality

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Conclusion: This is a great bottling we have here. It’s packed to the brim with flavor while still being pretty low key with the proof. Just distilled essence of crisp apple skin and Lavender. The earl grey tea Is a nice touch and that Apple Cider, Brine, and nuttiness help to bring a bit of a bite to balance out the Apple. Theres a nice must of age on it as well that bring a bit of a weird streak to it too. Just a high quality delicious bottling.

Final Score: 88

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky 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.