If you're a keen cider drinker looking to branch out, Calvados may be the next step in discovering new flavours. Distilled from apple and pear ciders sourced in Normandy, this versatile and distinct brandy is ideal as a stand-alone treat or as an accompaniment to a meal.
In this guide, we'll explain the variations in flavour profile unique to the terroirs of Calvados, Pays d'Auge and Domfrontais, as well as the differences between the AOC, VSOP and XO ageing processes. Alongside a ranking of the 10 best Calvados brandies in the UK, you'll soon know exactly which bottles to pick up when shopping online!
Quick List - Top Calvados Brandy
Berneroy
Butterscotch, Sweet Spices, and Caramelised Apples Aged Over 10 Years in French Oak
Chateau Du Breuil
20 Year Old Batch With Complex Tasting Notes of Oak and Vanilla
Boulard
Bottle and Glass Gift Set That’s the Perfect Present for Any Brandy Lover
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Table of Contents
By distilling cider, the region of Calvados in Normandy, France, creates their own distinct style of brandy. As most popular French brandy is typically produced using a base of wine, this unusual choice results in a unique flavour profile of apple and pear.
Once distilled, Clavados is aged in oak barrels for anything from 2 years to several decades. Because of the large variety of apples and pears used, plus variations in distillation and ageing methods, Calvados can feature a wide variety of tasting notes.
As well as the key tasting notes of apple and pear from the cider base, terroirs also affect the flavours of Calvados. Terroirs are the environmental conditions in a vineyard, such as climate, soil, terrain, and human practice. Calvados ordinarily falls into one of the three following categories:
Get a taste of another region of France with our 10 Best Armagnacs!
Another influential factor in Calvados production is the ageing process. Each bottle will either be XO, VSOP or AOC, and this will greatly impact the overall flavour profile. Whether you opt for a young bottle of just 2 years, or splash out on a decades-old blend, there's sure to be an option that's perfect for you.
Enjoy the crisp flavours of apple and pear with one of the Best Ciders in the UK!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Berneroy XO Calvados | ![]() | Butterscotch, Sweet Spices, and Caramelised Apples Aged Over 10 Years in French Oak | |
2 | Domaine Pacory Calvados du Domfrontais 12Yr | ![]() | Subtle Fruit Flavours From the Domfrontais Region | |
3 | Chateau Du Breuil 20yo Reserve des Seigneurs XO Calvados | ![]() | 20 Year Old Batch With Complex Tasting Notes of Oak and Vanilla | |
4 | Boulard Calvados VSOP Gift Pack | ![]() | Bottle and Glass Gift Set That’s the Perfect Present for Any Brandy Lover | |
5 | Domaine Pacory Calvados du Domfrontais 8 Year Old | ![]() | Reminisce With the Nostalgic Flavour of Pear Drops | |
6 | Père Magloire VSOP Calvados | ![]() | VSOP From Pays d’Auge With Sweet Notes of Honey and Butterscotch | |
7 | Chateau Du Breuil Pays D'auge Fine Calvados | ![]() | The Youngest Calvados From Chateau du Breuil | |
8 | Berneroy Fine AOC Calvados | ![]() | A Brandy for Everything From Cocktails to Cooking | |
9 | Busnel Calvados Pays d'Auge | ![]() | A Bargain Bottle With Notes of Apple, Florals and Wood | |
10 | Henry de Querville Fine Calvados | ![]() | A Subtle Blend to Ease You Into the Flavours of Calvados |
We've chosen this particular brandy for our top spot as it can be enjoyed alone or as an accompaniment to a meal. Originating in the Calvados region, the flavour is complex and is a perfect staple in any brandy lover's stock.
Made from a blend of 70% pear and 30% apple cider, this brandy has been twice distilled to allow for a subtle fruit flavour that's delicate on the palate. This makes it versatile enough to enjoy alone or with a meal.
With an ageing period of 12 years, Domaine Pacory have created a wealth of rich and complex flavours while still harnessing the subtlety of double-distillation. Domfrontais tends to be a great terroir to start your Calvados tasting journey, and this bottle is highly recommended for both newbies and old-hands alike.
If you're looking for a complex combination of flavours, the longer the ageing process the better. This bottle from Chateau Du Breuil is the longest-aged on the list, undergoing 20 years in oak barrels.
This prolonged ageing process certainly yields results, with subtle notes of oak and vanilla married to the fruity base of pear and apple. This Calvados is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates!
If you're after a gift for a brandy lover in your life, this set is the perfect choice for a memorable occasion. The recipient will be able to enjoy a warming glass of one of Boulard's best-loved brandies and, once that's done, they'll have a glass to use for years to come.
Aged for 4 to 10 years, this blend has aromas of vanilla and chocolate with tasting notes to match. On the palette, the flavour opens out into notes of sticky toffee pudding and baking spices.
Once distilled, it's aged for 8 years in old oak barrels which allows the pear base to intensify. This creates a sweet flavour that's similar to pear drop sweets.
Unfortunately, the brand has not specified the exact ageing period of this bottle. However, as a VSOP we can confirm that it will have been aged within the range of 4 to 9 years. For this reason you can expect a wealth of fruits and florals, with a moderate complexity.
This is the youngest Calvados in the Chateau Du Breuil range. This allows it to retain the base notes of apple as the ageing process only acts to intensify the floral and fruity notes.
Since it's an AOC, it will only have been aged for 2 years. Therefore, you won't get the rich intensity of more mature blends. That said, if you're looking for a lighter option to pair with food, this bottle is ideal.
It can even be used in cooking and baking to add extra depth of flavour to your dishes. If you're a fan of Berneroy's products, though, they certainly have some more refined bottles to choose from.
As it's the cheapest brandy on the list, you shouldn't expect the same degree of quality as more premium products. If you're looking for a bargain, however, this bottle will be ideal.
The only downside is that the delicate tasting notes will be lost on some drinkers. So if you're used to more intense flavours, this might not be the ideal bottle for you. Of course, at such an affordable price, it could serve as a great introductory blend.
Written and researched by Alicia Byrne
No. 1: Berneroy|XO Calvados
No. 2: Domaine Pacory|Calvados du Domfrontais 12Yr
No. 3: Chateau Du Breuil |20yo Reserve des Seigneurs XO Calvados
No. 4: Boulard|Calvados VSOP Gift Pack
No. 5: Domaine Pacory|Calvados du Domfrontais 8 Year Old
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