Groult, Roger 3 Year Old Calvados Reserve Pays d'Auge

A versatile, classic style of Calvados from a family who has been maintaining orchards and crafting this spirit in the Pays d'Auge for five generations. 100% cider apples (a blend of about 70% bittersweet, 20% sweet, and 10% tart apple varieties) from their estate orchards are used, brewed into cider and distilled twice over a wood-fired pot still as they have for over a century. On the nose is a mix of freshly picked, and bruised red apple, vanilla bean, a touch of baking spice, and fragrant apple blossoms. On the palate are notes of cinnamon and baked apple, allspice, a kick of heat on the finish and a lingering texture from the apple skins and oak tannin. This mixes very well into cocktails you might use Bourbon for, or slightly chilled for drinking on its own. -Michelle DeWyngaert