Christian Drouin Calvados 2018 Sauternes Cask

This is a Pays d'Auge Calvados from Christian Drouin, filled into a Sauternes cask in 2018 and bottled in April 2025 for Little Brown Dog Spirits. It is the Sauternes version of their Le Petit Chien Brun release, and only 213 bottles were filled. It is natural in colour and non-chill filtered. The cask gives a soft, silky palate with real texture. The apple blossom on the label nods to the many apple varieties grown for the cider that is distilled. The colour is polished brass. The nose is stewed apple and cinnamon, the palate mirabelle, sugar-coated fennel seeds and golden syrup, and the finish candied peel and cinnamon buns.