A delightful well aged Calvados from Toutain.
Toutain are arch-traditionalists, maintaining many old techniques which have otherwise almost died out. For one, they still grow their organic orchards in the “haute tige” or high stem style. At the Toutain orchards, 20 different apple varieties are grown. The apples are harvested in the autumn, and pressed quickly to preserve their flavour.
The apple juice is then allowed to naturally ferment (without the addition of yeast) for between 6 to 8 months. Only when cider is fully mature can it be distilled. The spirit is produced in a single column still. Before aging the Calvados, the casks are seasoned with cider so that the oak does not overwhelm the spirit.
This Calvados has been aged for 8 years, with 5 years coming in huge 3000 to 4000 litre tuns, and the final 3 years spent in slightly smaller 1500 to 2000 litre barrels. The large barrels make sure that the fruity spirit provides much of the flavour of the final product, and that balance is maintained.
This dram offers notes of vivid green apples, apple peel, light oak, a little vanilla, white chocolate, peppery spice, flowers, toffee and a touch of caramelized apple sweetness.
An excellent introduction into the world of older Calvados.
