A classic vintage Calvados from Lemorton, now in its sixth and seventh generation of family ownership (Didier Lemorton and his son currently run operations).

The Domfrontais appellation where Lemorton is based is known for its clay and limestone rich soil, perfect for the powerful roots of the pear tree. Indeed, the Domfrontais appellation regulations require any cider or Calvados produced in the area to contain at least 30% pears. Lemorton go above and beyond, using roughly 7 pears for every 3 apples in their Calvados.

The fruit are grown in the distillery’s tiny 9-acre orchard, before being fermented for a long eleven months in oak casks, before distillation in the distillery’s single alembic.

As a single vintage Calvados, the bottling is the product of one harvest and one distilling season. Having been distilled in 1962, this Calvados has been aged for an astonishingly long time in French oak casks.

The result is a thickly flavoured and decadent Calvados, with flavours of dried pears and apples, dark chocolate, leather, creamy coffee, cocao powder (giving a sort of Tiramisu effect), dark oak, flowers, honey, dried fruit with Cognac, and the faintest hint of cigar smoke.

A revelation, and at superb price point for a spirit of this age.

• Distillery / brand
  Lemorton
• Country
  France
• Bottler
  Distillery Bottling
• Distillation date
  1962
• Non-chillfiltered
  No
• Natural colour
  No
• SKU
  034115