The story
The story of Drouin calvados began around 1960. There was nothing to indicate that Christian DROUIN the elder, an industrialist from Rouen, was destined to make a career in spirits. Nothing, that is, apart his taste for good food and good wines.
When he bought a farm in Gonneville he decided to use the cider-apple orchards to produce calvados. His aims were simple: produce a top-quality spirit, the best. “My father transmitted me the calvados virus”, says the younger Christian DROUIN, who has today given the family business a world-wide reputation. The brand is now sold as far afield as the USA and Japan. The third generation is now hard at work. It maintains the traditions that have enabled the estate to become one of the 100 “sites of excellence in taste” selected by the ministry for culture.
In 1995 the European foundation awarded the estate its European Prestige Grand Prix for the whole of its production, which represents the quintessence of calvados.
Range
Exuding warm spice, lightly caramelized sugar, and fresh apple peel, Christian Drouin VSOP Calvados checks all the classic cider brandy boxes and more. Sweet baked pear, cardamom, and warming butter round out the middle, with faint licorice and clove on the end balancing out what is otherwise a jubilantly hedonistic flavor profile.
Apple – VSOP – 40%
Crisp and bright with floral lavender and citrus, joined by a touch of caramel later on. Chewy juniper, fresh cherry and a touch of cinnamon.