Christian Drouin Millésime 1998/2023 Calvados Pays d'Auge (70cl, 42%)

This vintage from Christian Drouin is a Calvados Pays d'Auge distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2023 after 25 years of maturation. It belongs to the Les Millésimés range, where the vintage denotes the distillation year. Maturation took place in oak casks without a second cask finish. The house distils cider twice in a copper still, separating heads and tails on both passes. For long-aged Calvados, the cider is left to rest for several months before distillation. The Calvados is light amber in colour and is bottled at 42% in a 70cl bottle, presented in an open wooden box. Apple aromas combine with butter and vanilla on the nose. The palate is full-bodied and round. Notes of pastry remain in the finish.