Christian Drouin : Hors d'Âge

Characteristics and tasting advice for Christian Drouin Calvados Hors d’Âge

Tasting

Nose
The bouquet is complex and balanced, offering a rich aromatic palette dominated by fruit: fresh apples, ripe apples, baked apples, and dried fruits. These fruity aromas blend harmoniously with notes of vanilla, caramel, spices, nuts, and apple skin, derived from barrel aging.

Palate
Powerful and spirited, the palate shows an ideal balance of fruit, flowers, and spices. The structure is round and intense. The harmony between fruit and spice defines this highly elegant palate, which extends into a very long finish.

Food pairings and tasting moments

Hors d’Âge is best enjoyed neat or over ice to preserve the integrity of its aromas. It pairs beautifully with fruit-based desserts, notably tarte Tatin or apple tart, creating a sweet, indulgent experience in perfect harmony with its fruity profile.

The aromatic expression and finesse of a Calvados Hors d’Âge

Christian Drouin, a global benchmark for French Calvados

Founded in 1960 by Christian Drouin Sr. in the Pays d’Auge in Normandy, the Christian Drouin House remains a family-run enterprise. Now led by Christian Drouin Jr. and Guillaume Drouin, it perpetuates a savoir-faire in which double distillation in copper stills and aging in a range of casks define a refined style. Recognized as one of the most awarded calvados producers in the world, the House boasts 258 gold medals. It offers remarkable historical depth with a vast collection of vintages, featuring 38 references spanning from 1939 to 1998, reflecting a constant commitment to excellence and a curiosity for maturations and blended expressions.

Hors d’Âge, the centerpiece of the range

Calvados Hors d’Âge is the historic centerpiece of the Christian Drouin range. This blend of eaux-de-vie is aged for around 15 years in small, second-fill or older oak barrels that previously held sherry, port, banyuls, sauternes, or muscats from Rivesaltes. This diversity of casks contributes to its distinctive aromatic complexity and silky texture.

Crafted in accordance with the specifications of the AOC Calvados Pays d’Auge, Hors d’Âge comes from double distillation in copper stills of ciders made from selected cider apples, combining bitter, bittersweet, sweet, and tart varieties. Christian Drouin Calvados Hors d’Âge illustrates the House’s pursuit of balance between fruity intensity, spicy notes, and refined aging, in a style deeply faithful to its terroir.