Château du Breuil Calvados Pays d'Auge Réserve du Château 8 Years

The Essence of Normandy in a Bottle

With over 400 years of history behind it, Château du Breuil stands as a monument of the finest French distilling tradition. Their Réserve du Château 8 Years exemplifies this legacy through both its commitment to top-tier craftsmanship and its status within the exclusive Calvados Pays d’Auge AOC.

A Rich Heritage

Situated in the lush landscapes of Normandy, the Château du Breuil estate is more than just a distillery—it’s a national heritage site. With its rich history dating back to the 16th century, the château, surrounded by 22,000 apple trees, nurtures the fertile grounds necessary for producing this world-class spirit. Owned by Spiriterie Française, Château du Breuil embodies a philosophy of producing pure, high-quality spirits using sustainable and traditional practices.

Meticulous Production

Château du Breuil employs a ‘from earth to senses’ methodology, selectively growing cider apples on their estate to ensure optimum quality. The apples translate into a rich cider which undergoes a rigorous double distillation process in copper pot stills, a mandate of the Calvados Pays d’Auge appellation. After distillation, the spirit is aged for eight years in French oak casks, allowing the complex flavors to mature harmoniously.

Tasting Notes

The Réserve du Château 8 Years reveals an intense amber hue, embodying the time spent in oak. On the nose, it presents charming notes of candied apples laced with layers of vanilla, nut, honey, and subtle spices, enhanced by the presence of fresh walnut and gentle woody undertones.

On the palate, it opens with lush flavors of ripe baked apples, reflecting the terroir-driven selection of fruit and meticulous barrel aging. Earthy walnut flavors emerge mid-palate, complementing the robust woodiness and vanilla notes. The taste culminates in a buttery apple pastry character, accented by brown spices like cinnamon and clove, reminiscent of sweet dessert wines.

The texture is smooth and round with a well-balanced body, leading to a long finish where fresh nuts and brown spice nuances persist elegantly.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, or slightly chilled, Château du Breuil Calvados enriches the experience with each sip. Adding a few drops of water can open up the aromatic complexity without overwhelming the core flavors.

For cocktail enthusiasts, the elegance of this Calvados makes it a perfect base for refined classic cocktails such as the Apple Old Fashioned or the Norman Mule.

Culinary pairings that enhance its complexity include savory dishes like hard cheeses, roasted poultry glazed with apple-honey-mustard, and apple desserts. For an adventurous touch, pair it with rich foie gras terrine, lightly drizzled with honey.

The Collectible Calvados

Standing amongst the top offerings in aged Calvados, Château du Breuil Réserve du Château 8 Years is treasured by connoisseurs worldwide. With its high-quality production and historic pedigree, it’s an embodiment of Normandy’s distilling excellence, making it a valuable addition to any collection or a thoughtful gift for the discerning spirits enthusiast.