Calvados is a brandy produced in the Normandy region of France.
Unlike its more famous cousins, Cognac and Armagnac which are distilled from grapes, Calvados is distilled from locally grown apples (with a small amount of pear juice) and since it’s made from fruit it’s considered an eau de vie.
It is an AOC (Appelation d”Origin Controlee) aged at least two years with aging categories similar to Cognac and Armagnac such as VS, Reserve, VSOP and XO.
I think these are underrated brandies, distilled dry with a hint of the apples they are made from. The younger brandies are good for mixers and there was a bartender on hand mixing Calvados based cocktails, while the brandies with some age to them are perfect to sip on their own.
On June 8th the organization that promotes the spirit held a tasting at Lillistar in the Moxy Hotel at 353 Bedford Avenue in trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
There were a handful of producers at the event.
Busnel Distillery
Since 1820 poured several from Pays d”Auge
8yr XO aged in port barrels
8yr XO aged in whisky barrels
8yr XO aged in sauternes barrels.
12yr
“Hommage Georges Busnel” which is a 22yr Calvados, a very nice sipper
Boulard
Since 1825 poured a duo of their Pays d” Auge VSOP
VSOP
VSOP Rye Cask Finished
Domaine du Coquerel
Since 1935 poured
VS
VSOP
XO
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