Busnel Calvados

Busnel Calvados Distillery is in the Pays d'Auge region in Normandy, France. It's famous for making Calvados, an apple brandy. The distillery started in 1820. It's one of the top producers of Calvados. Busnel captures the essence of local apple orchards and traditional distillation.

The distillery is named after its founder, Ernest Busnel. He helped make Calvados from Pays d'Auge famous. He set high standards for quality and craftsmanship. Busnel still uses traditional methods and local apples. They make a range of Calvados that is known worldwide.

Choosing the right apples is key at Busnel. The region has many apple types. Busnel uses a mix of sweet, bittersweet, bitter, and acidic apples. This makes their Calvados complex and nuanced.

The making of Busnel Calvados follows traditional steps. The apples are harvested, pressed, and fermented into cider. Then, they are distilled twice in copper pot stills. This adds depth to the Calvados. The spirit then ages in oak barrels for at least two years. Some are aged longer for more complexity.

Ageing is important in making Calvados. Busnel has large cellars for this. The spirit matures in oak, developing its flavours, smells, and golden colour. The barrels, cellar conditions, and ageing time shape the final product.

Busnel has different Calvados styles. They range from young, fresh-tasting ones to older, complex ones. Each has its own mix of fruit, spice, and oak.

The distillery is also a place of heritage and learning. Visitors can tour it. They learn about Calvados history, how it's made, and how to taste it. The tours end with a chance to try different Busnel Calvados.