Chateau du Breuil Réserve des Seigneurs 20 Year Old XO Calvados Apple Brandy (700ml)

Unlike Calvados "AOC", Calvados with the AOC "Pays d'Auge" requires cider apples produced in the Pays d'Auge area and a double distillation in alembic pot stills (as opposed to column stills elsewhere) as well as control of flavouring elements. As the most quality oriented appellation it naturally makes a finer Calvados, due to the class of apples produced by the local soil, and the elimination of the roughest alcohols during the distillations.

Château du Breuil is one of Normandy's most prestigious Calvados distilleries, producing Calvados Pays d'Auge (AOC), Pommeau de Normandie, Calvados liqueur and plum brandy. The company is exclusively distributed through traditional networks and exports 55% of its sales to around fifty countries. Fruit is grown in the grounds of Chateau du Breuil on 42 hectares of hillside orchard (22,000 apple trees), and naturally fermented without additives. Maturation takes place for two years in Limousin or Troncais oak casks.

This is the high point of Chateau Breuil's portfolio with Calvados at a minimum of 20 years of age. We've managed to secure a small quantity at a more than reasonable price given such a venerable pedigree. An opportunity not to be passed by, unless you're planning a visit to Normandy! The XO has been awarded numerous accolades since 2006 including:

Gold medal - General Competition of Paris (Ministry of Agriculture) - 2006
Bronze Medal - International Wine and Spirit Competition - London 2009
Gold Medal - International Wine and Spirit Competition - London 2010
Silver Medal and "Best in Class" - International Wine and Spirit Competition - London 2011
Silver Medal - International Wine & Spirit Competition - London 2012