Ménorval Très Vieux Calvados XO (40%)

Ménorval Très Vieux Calvados XO is a Normandy calvados blended from eaux-de-vie drawn partly from the Pays d'Auge appellation and partly from the Calvados appellation. It is bottled at 40% ABV. The Pays d'Auge portion is distilled in a Charentais pot still, and the blend then ages for roughly eight to ten years in French oak. The cellars are naturally humid, which encourages a slow, even maturation while the fruit of the apples remains clear. On the nose there are nuts, caramelised apple and liquorice, with spice from cinnamon and sandalwood. The palate is supple and refined, recalling tarte tatin and stone fruit. The finish is long, with brown sugar, walnut and rancio.