Christian Drouin 1997 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, deep amber color. The aromatics are quite fresh and youthful with ripe, whole apples in the lead supported by scents of bright citrus, spring flowers, and blanched nuts with hints of oak and allspice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright and ripe fruit-driven core with the Pommeau influence being quite evident. The flavors linger on with spice notes of allspice and cinnamon rising with a dose of rancio on the finish. Medium to full-bodied displaying perfect balance as the rich fruit and spice are equaled by bright acidity and oak. $163.99 – 4.5 Stars
Gautier VS Cognac
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant bronze color. The nose is quite pretty with waves of fruits ranging from poached pears to tropical fruits with a touch of peach marmalade, ginger biscuits, and dried apricot with hints of vanilla and cocoa nibs. The palate certainly echoes the nose delivering a fruit-forward core with waves of brown baking spices, toasted oak, and and subtle pepper accents. Medium-bodied with a perfect balance of flavors, as well as balanced acidity to ripe fruit. $34.99 – 4 Stars
Gautier VSOP Cognac
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant amber color. The aromatics are beautiful and intense with baked orchard fruits (apple, pear, and peach) leading the way supported by caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, subtle earth notes, and spicy oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit-driven core with waves of caramel and toffee, accented with brown baking spices, dark chocolate, a hint of ginger, and orange peel. Medium to full-bodied with a lush core while exhibiting a great vibrancy thanks to a generous dose of acidity and bright spice notes. $49.99 – 4.5 Stars
Gautier Gold & Blue XO Cognac
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep amber color. The aromatics are simply amazing offering a marriage of fruit and spice that can only be found in an elite spirit with extended aging. Scents of cinnamon accented baked fruits, rich caramel, and dried tropical fruits fill the nose supported by dark chocolate, earth, leather, mineral, and oak. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a lush and decadent fruit-centric core with gorgeous flanking notes of brown baking spice, toffee, cocoa, vanilla, and toasted oak. Full-bodied with a lush, creamy core balanced with acid, spice, and delicate citrus zest accents. $134.99 – 5 Stars
Spytail Black Ginger Flavored Rum
Brilliant, deep mahogany color. The nose is filled with the scents of sweet Rum, cola, and brown baking spices, along with a generous dose of candied ginger and hints of tropical fruits. On the palate this flavored Rum becomes decidedly more angular with sharp spice and ginger notes and a strong medicinal flavors that overwhelms. Medium-bodied with compartmentalized and competing flavors. $22.99 – 2.5 Stars
Père Magloire Fine V.S. Calvados
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is very floral and fruity with many expressions of apple offered such as juice, fresh picked apple, and baked apples. The palate surely echoes the nose delivering a lush and sweet apple-focused core with lovely wood-derived notes of caramel and brown baking spices. Medium-bodied with long, lingering fruit notes capped by a slightly tart dose of acidity that keeps it fresh and balanced. $34.99 – 3.5 Stars
Grand Marnier Titanium Flavored Cognac
Deep golden peach color with perfect clarity. The nose is filled with the scents of sweet, concentrated orange and tangerine with hints of baked peach, candied ginger, brown baking spices, and vanilla. Despite the rich fruit notes found in the aromatics this spirit is totally dry. On the palate the fruit notes are quite subtle with the spices taking center stage offering soft pepper notes with pithy citrus sensations. A full departure from the classic GM approach that seems to be built to be base of contemporary cocktails. Medium-bodied with bright fruit and spice notes. null$39.99 – 3 Stars
Christian Drouin Réserve des Fiefs Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with the vibrant scents of ripe and baked apples, with hints of fermenting skins, wild flowers, stone fruits, and mineral. The palate is in full agreement with the nose adding fresh, rich apple juice notes with accents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of earth and oak. Medium-bodied with a well-proportioned palate and lingering apple and spice notes. $69.99 – 4 Stars
Christian Drouin XO Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are amazingly fresh and vibrant with scents of fresh apple juice, candied apples, baked stone fruits, toasted almonds, brown baking spices, and a splash of vanilla. The palate is equally youthful delivering layers of fruit, spice, mineral, and a fine salinity and trailing floral notes, with cinnamon heat, vanilla bean, and oak on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and generous portions of spice, vanilla, and oak. $124.99 – 5 Stars
Christian Drouin Vintage 1986 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully floral with wild honey, red cherry, candied ginger, and loads of baked apples, marzipan, and oak. The palate is in full accord delivering a rich apple core with cherry accents as the wood is a companion here, never trampling the complex flavors. Medium-bodied and amazingly delicate with ideal balance and long, lingering flavors. $217.99 – 5 Stars
