Another high quality, well aged Calvados from traditional producers Toutain.

Toutain use many old methods which have largely fallen out of favour with the industry’s modernisation, such as growing their orchards in the “Haute Tige”, or “high stem” style – where the trees are taller than the modern standard. Over 20 different varieties of apples are grown here, in a range of sweetness and tartness. The orchards are also entirely organic.

The apples are harvested at their peak ripeness, between September and December each year. They are pressed quickly, so as to maintain the vivid nature of their flavour. The cider is naturally fermented and matured for between 6 to 8 months, without the addition of yeast. The spirit is then distilled in a single column still. Before maturation, Toutain season their casks with cider so that the oak does not overwhelm the spirit.

This bottling has been matured initially in huge 1000 to 1500 litre tuns, for the first 15 years of aging. The spirit is then placed in smaller casks, 600 litres in size, for the final 15 years. This maturation process ensures a well balanced Calvados, with the oak in harmony with the fruit, rather than totally obliterating it.

The result is a toasty, oaky Calvados with notes of cinnamon spice, fruit, vanilla, flowers, citrus, sweet apples, toffee, crunchy green apples, tart tatin, almond and sharp apple peel.

Truly spectacular stuff from Toutain, this is a spirit to be savoured.

• Distillery / brand
  Toutain
• Country
  France
• Bottler
  Distillery Bottling
• Non-chillfiltered
  No
• Natural colour
  No
• SKU
  037521