Chateau du Breuil V.S.O.P. Calvados Pays d'Auge, France

From the storied orchards of Normandy’s Pays d’Auge, this V.S.O.P. offering presents a refined expression of classic apple brandy, designed for those who appreciate both tradition and elegance. With a minimum four‑year aging in fine oak casks, it reveals harmonious richness grounded in orchard fruit and soft wood depth.

Product Details:

• Base Ingredients: 100% Normandy apples from hillside orchards surrounding Château du Breuil
• Distillation: Double distillation in copper alembics, as required by the Pays d’Auge appellation
• ABV: 40%
• Aging / Cask Treatment: Matured a minimum of four years in Limousin or Troncais oak barrels
• Production Location: Le Breuil‑en‑Auge, Calvados department, Normandy, France
• Quality Tier: V.S.O.P., “Very Superior Old Pale”, reflects at least four years’ maturation and a blend selected for complexity and approachability

Sensory Description:

The spirit shows an inviting amber‑gold hue. On the nose, expect crisp crab‑apple, baked peach, fresh almond, and a whisper of citrus peel, layered over gentle vanilla and soft oak. On the palate, the fruit core, ripe apple, quince, maybe a hint of mirabelle, melds with toasty, caramelised wood, a graceful spice of cinnamon or nutmeg, and a clean, lingering finish with a trace of almond bitterness. The Pays d’Auge terroir offers freshness and clarity, balanced by the wood ageing’s richness.

Distiller's Background:

Château du Breuil sits in the heart of Normandy’s famed Calvados region and is rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and orchard‑based production. The estate’s 42 hectares of hillside apple orchards supply fruit that is naturally fermented, then distilled and aged with attention to detail. Château du Breuil focuses on the AOC Pays d’Auge designation, one of the most stringent appellations for Calvados, ensuring double distillation and rigorous ageing. The producer’s blend of heritage, location, and precision places this V.S.O.P. among Normandy’s distinguished apple brandies.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve neat at around 60‑65 °F (15‑18 °C) in a tulip or small brandy glass to highlight its aroma and palate layers. It shines as a refined digestif or after‑dinner contemplative drink. Excellent pairings include aged Comté, Camembert, apple‑based tart (like tarte Tatin), or even foie gras. In mixing, it lends itself to elevated cocktails: try a Calvados Old‑Fashioned (Calvados, sugar cube, bitters, orange twist) or substitute it for Cognac in classics to bring apple‑driven character.