Camut Pommeau de Domaine de Semainville Apéritif Normand

Looking for something new to try before or after your dinner? How about a Pommeau? Pommeau is the traditional blend of Calvados and unfermented apple cider that hardly ever makes its way out of Normandy. Very similar to Cognac’s Pineau des Charentes, Pommeau combines the fruity unfermented apple sugars spiked with a touch of aged brandy. In the fall it makes a wonderful apéritif, but for those afraid of sugary pre-dinner drinks, it would be delicious with cheese, and out-of-this-world with deserts featuring apples. Camut makes what is likely the best Calvados in the grand Cru “Pays d’Auge,” so it’s no surprise that their Pommeau is the best we have ever tasted.  John Rankin

Camut NV Calvados Pays d'Auge 12 ans d'âge

At 12 years old, this Calvados shows extremely youthful and vibrant apple, caramel, and sweet cream aromas. These marry well with perfectly integrated spice and oak notes that add depth and intrigue. This is an absolute treat and is a big step up in complexity from the Camut estate's wildly delicious 6-year Calvados. Tim Gagnon

Capovilla Grappa di Bassano 750ml

Capovilla spirits are truly labors of love. The Bassano bottling consists of pommace from a variety of grapes from Vicenza. The secret to the rich, broad flavors is the rare still that Vittorio Gianni Capovilla uses. Called a bain-marie still, it heats the pommace at low temperatures to maintain the grape flavors and not create the offensive, alcoholic tones that mars many more commercial Grappa productions. We are extremely happy that Jan d'Amore has decided to import these spirits, and strongly recommend that Grappa and Eau-de-vie fans try them. JR

Capovilla Moscato Fior d'Arancio 375ml

This is a single variety grappa bottling featuring the wonderfully aromatic "Uva Moscota Fior d'Arancio." Vittorio Gianni Capovilla uses his rare bain-marie still to slowly distill and preserve the lively honey and citrus qualities of the grape. Grappa fans will note the extreme purity and freshness of the spirit and applaud Jan d'Amore for bringing it to the American market. John Rankin

Chateau de Briat 2000 Bas Armagnac Bacco

The 2000 Bacco fully exudes the traditional Château de Briat house style: decadent, yet complex and structured, with a focus on new oak. Again, from the diary of John Rankin: On the nose it is luscious with sweet caramel, the chewy soft kind, and orange zest rising from the glass. On the palate it is rich and silky – very drinkable – with a touch of spice and a sugary milk chocolate finish. With this flavor profile and the château’s affinity for new oak, this would be a fantastic crossover spirit for Bourbon lovers! Tim Gagnon

Cobra Fire Eau de Vie de Raisin Domaine d'Esperance

Domaine Boingnères 2001 Bas-Armagnac Folle Blanche

Boingneres is one of the legendary names in Armagnac, and along with Laberdolive produces some of the most complex and beautiful spirits in France. This 2001 vintage is made from 100% Folle Blanche, the rarest of the grapes used in the production of Cognac and Armagnac, lending a beautiful floral note to the spirit. This Armagnac has it all, combining fruit, spice and floral notes in an intense melange of flavor and texture, with density and incredible length. Dried fruit, plum, apricot, dried yellow flowers, baking spice, a hint of leather, dried tea leaves, walnuts, and a touch of balsamic are all present here, creating a spirit that is much greater than the sum of its parts. Bottled at 49% ABV. Oskar Kostecki

Domaine Du Tertre 1997 Calvados

Of the countless wonderful spirits I've had the opportunity to taste this year, Domaine du Tertre Calvados was one of the most memorable. Creating a unique style of Calvados, Tertre is run by by two brothers, Michel and Hubert Havard, and the main focus of production at the estate is apple cider. Their excrutiatingly tiny batches of Calvados are distilled on a travelling single column still with 10 plates, after the apples have been fermented for over 6 months with all indigenous yeast. It is this long fermentation and old school production methods that leads to the intense and rustic style of this Calvados. This is a single es-cognac cask, bottled at a cask strength of 50% abv. Flavors of baked apple, apple peel, dried orange peel, baking spices, nutmeg, mint, dried leaves, and pronounced rancio notes forest floor, mushroom, and balsamic all interweave on the beautifully complex palate. A fresh apple quality emerges on the long, long finish. This is an absolute powerhouse Calvados, and a perfect ending to many a satisfying meal. Oskar Kostecki

Dudognon 10 Year Old Cognac Grande Champagne 'Reserve'

The Dudognon Reserve is one of the best values in Cognac. Made without additives or coloring, it's a pale gold color with subtle citrus and white fruit aromas. The palate is clean and long with tea, earth, citrus and spice. Far superior to the brand-name VS or VSOP blends and really worth trying. John Rankin

Esperance 1998 Armagnac

Domaine d'Esperance is run by Claire de Montesquiou, who revived her family's centuries old tradition of distilling Armagnac when she purchased the small domaine in the early 1990s. This 1998 vintage single-cask offering is made from Baco 22A, the only hybrid grape allowed in the appellation, and is a rich and textured, though not sacrificing balance or poise. Dried fruit, prune, toffee and spice, with more savory notes of walnut, forest floor and leather intermingle on the dense and complex palate. A wonderful after dinner Armagnac. Oskar Kostecki

Guillon-Painturaud Cognac Grande Champagne VSOP

Guillon-Painturaud's VSOP is a fantastic 15-year-old Cognac that punches way above its price point. This spirit is all about fresh orange and sweet marmalade fruits with plenty of cut. We are happy to be able to carry this independent producer's fantastic Cognac, and the 15-hectare estate that can trace its history back to 1610 is an exciting find. JR

Huard 2002 Calvados Le Pertyer Hors d'Age

Our Chambers Street selection of Calvados was distilled in 2002 and was aged in a barrel that previously held cider and Pommeau (cider and Calvados blended together). From the diary of John Rankin: The barrel that we bought has candied apple and toffee cream flavors and is surprisingly juicy and fruit-forward, even with a fair amount of age and alcohol percentage. It shows the influence of Pommeau and cider more than barrel, along with richness and a long finish of exotic citrus and dark-toned flowers. Tim Gagnon

Laurent Cazottes NV Goutte de Reine-Claude Brandy 375 ml

Laurent Cazottes is undoubtedly one of the finest distillers in the entire world. Farming  grapes and fruit trees biodynamically in the Tarn department in Southwest France, he is crafting some of the purest expressions of fruit brandy that I have ever tasted. This beautiful greengage plum (Reine-Claude in French) brandy comes from a small .7 hectare grove of ancient trees, and Laurent hand peels and de-seeds the fruit before fermenting and distilling. I've never had the pleasure of tasting greengage plums, this old heirloom variety is nearly extinct in the US, but this exceptionally crafted distillate more than makes up for it. A wonderful way to finish a meal, and a real treat! Oskar Kostecki

Levi, Romano 1993 Grappa (#1 - 50 degrees)

Levi, Romano 1993 Grappa (#2 - 50 degrees)

Levi, Romano 1993 Grappa (49 degrees)

Levi, Romano 1995 Grappa (50 degrees)

L'Heritier Guyot Vieux Marc de Bourgogne V.S.O.P.

Montreuil NV Calvados du Pays d'Auge Reserve

Montreuil is a collaboration between Calvados importer and guru Charles Neal and Patrice Giard – heir to the bucolic Giard estate in the hamlet of Montreuil. Cows (primarily used for their milk) provide the majority of the farm’s revenue, but the property has made quite a name for itself for their library of aged Calvados still in barrel that will be released under the Giard label. The Montreuil label represents barrels averaging 7 years old that provide rich, apple fruit with a touch of wood vanillin and toffee sweetness. A great value for sipping, but also not too dear to use as a stand-in for American applejack in classic cocktails like a Jack Rose:2 ounces apple brandy or calvados, ¾ ounce lime or lemon juice, and ¾ ounce grenadine; served up.  John Rankin

Neversink Spirits New York Apple Brandy 375ml

This exquisitely clear apple brandy comes in one of the cutest printed packages in the store, but that shouldn’t be the only reason for you to buy it. The fact is that this is one of the most delicious ways to experience New York’s abundant apple crop’s flavors. The apples growing on Neversink’s organic farm were selected for their high acid and high tannic character (not great for eating, but essential to creating delicious ciders and spirits). The mash is then twice distilled which makes for a bright, delicate spirit that truly showcases the quality of the raw ingredients used. In Europe, brandies like this are enjoyed neat after dinner but current cocktail creators are experimenting with all sorts of uses: the most simple being a touch of sugar and a squeeze of citrus for an apple-infused take on a Sour. Tim Gagnon

Normandin-Mercier Christmas Cognac Petite Champagne

Normandin-Mercier are both an estate producer growing grapes and distilling at Domaine de la Peraudiere, as well as negociants buying young eau-de-vies from like-minded growers with a focus on the crus of Grande-Champagne and Petite-Champagne. This special yearly release is a single cask of a family reserve blend made of spirits dating back over a century, as well as younger distillates. Always an exceptional treat for the holidays, this particular cask is limited to 120 bottles. Oskar Kostecki

Orchard Hill NV Ten66 375 ml

Orchard Hill was started in 2005 by all-around spirits guru, Karl du Hoffman, in the Hudson Valley town of New Hampton, NY. They focus on two products here - cider and pommeau - and we were thrilled to be able to get our hands on the latter. Inspired by the famed Normandy elixir of calvados and non-alcoholic sweet cider, Karl wanted to make a product that was true to the apples of the Hudson Valley yet echoed centuries of pommeau production in France. Aptly named Ten66 after the Norman Invasion of England in the year 1066, this is a blend of 3-10 year-old apple brandy and cider of various vintages from 2005-2012 that have been aged in used French oak barrels from wineries on Long Island (that held Merlot or Chardonnay in their previous life). Apple butter, apple cobbler, caramel, toasted nutmeg, and baked cherry come to mind on the nose which hint at what is found on the palate. It is juicy with deeper notes of caramel and spice. This is delicious served slightly chilled as an aperitif but would be equally good with a cheese course after dinner! Tim Gagnon

Paul Beau NV Cognac Grande Champagne Hors d'Age

Located in the heart of Cognac's premier cru "Grand Champagne," the Beau family has a long history of making exceptional artisan Cognacs. The Beaus use old wooden barrels and a majority of Ugni Blanc to facilitate a clear expression of terroir. This creates an absolutely lovely spirit that has been aged an average of thirty years, well over the requirements to label "Hors d'Age." The perfect after-dinner drink with a balance of dried fruit and very nice minerality. JR

Pellehaut 1989 Armagnac Ténarèze Ugni Blanc

This Armagnac shows a vibrant orange color with hints of caramel. Tastes mature, but even after 28 years in cask there is a grippy quality and some citrus-toned fruit. This is an excellent introduction to vintage Armagnac and a fabulous value.  John Rankin

Pellehaut NV Armagnac Selection Folle Blanc

Purkhart 375 ml Apricot Eau-de-Vie Blume Marillen 375ml

Ravignan 1985 (Bottled 2017) Bas-Armagnac 32 years old

This is the “new” release from one of our favorite estates in Bas-Armagnac. Ravignan spares no expense in creating France’s premier brandy. French oak barrels are air-dried for a full seven years before being filled with a spirit distilled to the very low 50% alcohol. After almost 30 years the spirit reduces in strength to about 42 percent, but gains in complexity and develops a beautiful flavor of roasted hazelnuts, wood smoke and a touch of prune. Perfect for 1985 birth years! John Rankin                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The new 2017 bottling shines once again. The palate is thick and viscous, with notes of salted caramel and shaved dark chocolate transitioning to a beautiful dried fruit character of apricots, prunes and sultana. A hint of rancio peaks out from underneath the leather and woodspice, with a faint whiff of pickled ume plums and balsamic. Intense, but elegant, this is Bas-Armagnac at its finest, and one of the best values in the store. Oskar Kostecki

Ravignan 2008 (Bottled 2018) Bas-Armagnac

We've been thoroughly enamored by the deep, rustic, and intense  Armagnacs of Domaine du Ravignan, and we were very happy to see Charles Neal import a younger vintage from them. I enjoy younger French brandy for its exuberance and primary character. This 2008 shows a beautiful balance of fruit and spice notes, with dried peach, peach skin, dried apricot, apricot jam, lavender, yellow flowers, dried leaves, tea leaves, and salted toffee all showing wonderfully on the nose and palate. The palate is quite intense and vibrant, combining both brightness and depth. Bottled at 50% ABV. Oskar Kostecki

Ravignan Floc de Gascogne Bas-Armagnac

Through the Grapevine Cognac Fine Bois Remi Landier Lot 73

I am astounded by the freshness that this old Cognac carries. A single cask from the outlying appellation of Fin Bois, this was distilled in 1973 by the Landier family from grapes grown in clay-limestone soils. It has a beautiful, lifted aromatic profile, with notes of citrus, tangerine, orange zest, orange marmalade, white flowers, apple, pear, and darker aromas of plum and toffee. There is a hint of rancio and baking spice, and while you can feel the age of the spirit, the roundness it carries on the palate and its phenomenal length, there is also a vibrancy to the fruit character that I've never experienced in a Cognac this old. A truly unique expression. Bottled at 47.8% ABV. Oskar Kostecki

Through The Grapevine Francois Voyer Lot 93

The Chauchet-Voyer family has been farming vineyards and making Cognac in the limestone-rich terroir of Grande Champagne for the past five generations. This spirit comes from a single barrel filled in 1993 and aged for 25 years. Distilled on the lees, this is a powerful and broad-shouldered Cognac, with great density on the palate and notes of baked apples, poached pears, leather, baking spice, apricot marmalade, dried cherries, a hint of forest floor and balsamic. A beautiful expression of the richness that Cognac can deliver without the use of artificial color, added sugar, or boisé. Bottled at 45.9%. Oskar Kostecki