12 year old Calvados Pays d'Auge from the Roger Groult range. XO Calvados must be aged at least 6 years, though these distillers have gone the extra mile on this one, resulting in rich, elegant floral notes on the nose and palate, along with chewy notes of hazelnut and a touch of mint.
So much apple on the nose is lovely, a smooth burst of apple and oak on the palate, with a sweet smooth smokey afterburner.
I thought this was approaching the pinnacle of Calvados before trying other brands from this excellent site. This Calvados retains the apple taste (which I like because too many aged Calvados brands lose it) but the finish is rough. Give me LeCompte instead - again not cheap but at least you feel you get what you paid for.
