10 Best Calvados Brandy UK | Berneroy Domaine Pacory and More
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!
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What Is a Calvados Brandy?
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.
How to Choose Calvados Brandy in the UK
- Consider The Tasting Notes of Each Terroir
- Consider Which Ageing Process Will Suit Your Desired Flavour Profile
Choose Calvados Pays D’Auge for Subtle Flavours, or Calvados Domfrontais for a Complex Tasting Palette
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:
- Calvados: Sourced from lower Normandy, the Calvados terroir refers to around 70% of the region's produce. Ideal temperature and ample rainfall make this area perfect for cider production, growing over 230 varieties of apples and 130 varieties of pears. Because of this, it is the most varied in terms of flavour.
- Calvados Pays d'Auge: In this terroir, brandies undergo a compulsory double-distillation process before being aged for a minimum of 2 years. This allows for a subtler taste than regular Calvados varieties. This region often produces brandies with a minimum of 30% pear content, making this a key flavour on the palate.
- Calvados Domfrontais: From the damper soils of this terroir comes a rich and intense flavour that's aged for a minimum of 3 years before bottling. Due to the slightly longer ageing tradition, these brandies tend to have a more well-rounded and complex flavour.
Get a taste of another region of France with our 10 Best Armagnacs!
Consider the Ageing Process: XOs Have an Intense Flavour Profile, VSOPs and AOCs Are Light and Fruity
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.
- XO: The most desirable option among connoisseurs, XOs are aged for a minimum of 10 years, with many bottles undergoing decades-long ageing processes. This brings out a round, intense fullness in the flavours and adds a hint of woody vanilla that's best enjoyed as a stand-alone treat.
- VSOP: Aged for around 4 to 9 years, this variety is lighter in its flavours and is often enjoyed as an accompaniment to a meal. It retains hints of apple and pear, but also has a wealth of other floral and fruity notes.
- AOC: Generally the lowest budget option on the market, these bottles are aged for 2 to 4 years, and retain the most of their distinctive apple and pear cider flavour. They can act as a great introduction to Calvados if you're not quite ready for the intense complexity of XOs.
Enjoy the crisp flavours of apple and pear with one of the Best Ciders in the UK!
10 Best Calvados Brandys in the UK
| Products | Image | Click to purchase | Popularity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | XO Calvados Berneroy |  | No.1 | |
2 | Calvados du Domfrontais 12Yr Domaine Pacory |  | No.2 | |
3 | 20yo Reserve des Seigneurs XO Calvados Chateau Du Breuil |  | No.3 | |
4 | Calvados VSOP Gift Pack Boulard |  | No.4 | |
5 | Calvados du Domfrontais 8 Year Old Domaine Pacory |  | No.5 | |
6 | VSOP Calvados Père Magloire |  | No.6 | |
7 | Pays D'auge Fine Calvados Chateau Du Breuil |  | No.7 | |
8 | Fine AOC Calvados Berneroy |  | No.8 | |
9 | Calvados Pays d'Auge Busnel |  | No.9 | |
10 | Fine Calvados Henry de Querville |  | No.10 |
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.
Domaine PacoryCalvados du Domfrontais 12Yr
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.
Chateau Du Breuil 20yo Reserve des Seigneurs XO Calvados
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.
Domaine PacoryCalvados du Domfrontais 8 Year Old
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.
Chateau Du Breuil Pays D'auge Fine Calvados
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.
Henry de Querville Fine Calvados
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
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
