Calvados Calvados Famille Guesdon - Calvados

Viniou Reviews

The Vieux Calvados from Famille Guesdon, aged for 8 years, is a fine example of Normandy’s apple brandy tradition. Crafted in the heart of the Calvados region, this spirit is produced from a carefully selected blend of locally grown apples, embracing a diversity of traditional cider apple varieties which give depth and complexity. After fermentation of the apple juice into a dry cider, it undergoes double distillation in copper stills, a process that preserves the rich fruit character while starting to introduce elegant, matured notes. The brandy is then aged for 8 years in French oak casks, where it develops a harmonious balance of vibrant apple freshness, subtle vanilla, gentle spice, and dried fruit aromas, alongside a mellow oaky structure. The expertise passed down through generations at Famille Guesdon ensures that this Calvados retains both typicity and finesse, a true reflection of its Normandy origins.

For enjoying this Calvados, it is excellent neat, but also serves as an intriguing addition to a variety of cocktails. Try it in a Normandy Old Fashioned, where its apple notes marry beautifully with a touch of sugar and orange zest, or in a twist on the classic Sidecar, blending it with Cointreau and lemon juice. Culinary pairings can be equally rewarding. Its rich apple and spice notes are perfect alongside traditional Norman cheeses such as Camembert or Livarot, or with a tarte Tatin for a regional dessert experience. Roast pork with apple compote, or duck with fruit sauces, find a wonderful resonance with this Calvados’s complexity. For a creative touch, drizzle a few drops over vanilla ice cream or poached pears.

To fully appreciate the layered aromas and taste, serve the Calvados slightly cool, ideally around 16-18°C. Pour it in a tulip glass to concentrate the bouquet and allow it to breathe for several minutes before sipping, so the full spectrum of matured apple, wood, and spice can unfurl. No need for dilution; this Calvados is best enjoyed at its natural strength, savoured in small sips to appreciate its long, warming finish.