CALVADOS 4 years by COQUEREL Bourbon Barrel Finish

Description

Coquerel Bourbon Finish Calvados: French Apple Brandy Refined in Bourbon Casks

Domaine du Coquerel is a family-owned producer in Grandparigny, Normandy, founded in 1937. Its work centres on Calvados, the traditional French apple spirit made from cider that is distilled and matured in oak. The Bourbon Finish expression explores an additional maturation stage, bringing together the character of Normandy apples and the influence of American bourbon casks.

The blend consists of eaux-de-vie aged for four to seven years in French oak before spending a further 14 months in casks that previously held bourbon. This finishing period adds another layer of aroma and texture to the spirit. Rather than replacing the apple character, the bourbon casks complement it with sweeter, warmer notes associated with oak maturation.

The tasting profile begins with candied fruit and vanilla on the nose. The palate develops flavours of cooked apple and honey, supported by a buttery texture. The finish is smooth and complex, with chocolate notes adding depth. These flavours create a rounded style in which fruit, wood and sweet spice work together.

The Calvados is bottled at 41% ABV in a 70 cl bottle and retains its natural colour. It can be enjoyed neat at room temperature as an after-dinner spirit. Allowing it a little time in the glass helps reveal the progression from candied fruit and vanilla to cooked apple, honey and chocolate. It can also be used in cocktails where its apple and vanilla character can complement other spirits or mixers.

Coquerel Bourbon Finish offers a contemporary interpretation of Normandy’s apple-brandy tradition, using an extended bourbon-cask finish to give the spirit a distinctive aromatic profile.