This Calvados has been aged over 15 years in small oak casks and shows the complexity that makes Christian Drouin "Coeur de Lion" the star of Calvados. The colour is flamboyant amber flame like; the nose is complex and balanced. On the palate, it is smooth, dominated by wood and spices, with great length. Should be allowed to breathe in the glass before tasting. Perfect with a cigar. "Calvados Hors d'Age Christian Drouin Normandy's best-known spirit Calvados sometimes gets forgotten about in the corporate spirits world but this artisanal product deserves more attention. Having spent 15 years in small casks it has a lovely amber hue and spicy notes plus vibrant apple skin and dried fruit on both the nose and palate. Great length with a fiery 42% alcohol finale to warm your cockles" Decanter.com - Dec. 2009 - TOP 10 SPIRITS FOR CHRISTMAS "Christian Drouin Hors d'Age Calvados Pays d'Auge : hint of rancio, spirits esters and dried orange. Soft entry; serious spirit with lots of fine tannins. Nearly seamless integration of fruit and oak. Best value" Santé- October 2008 - Calvados Normandy's Noble Spirit by David Furer (USA) An exceptional spirit worth a special search ! "Brilliant clarity and sharply drawn flavours; rich, snappy and thrilling". Anthony Dias Blue (USA) The Complete book of Spirits - 2007 - Harpers Collins Publisher "Light amber colour. Cooked apples, hints of vanilla, caramel and citrus. A stunning and complex example of small production calvados" - Beverage Media - January 2004- Calvados Selections (USA) Awards: Horsd'Age Awards Gold Medal, Concours Agricole de Paris, 2019 Gold Medal, Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge, 2019 Silver Medal, ADI's Judging of Craft Spirits (USA), 2019 Silver Medal "remarkable", IWSC, 2018 (UK) Gold Medal, Gilbert & Gaillard 2017 (France) Silver Medal, Concours de Lyon 2017 (France) Bronze Medal, All Wines Asia 2017 ( Hong Kong) Silver Medal "outstanding"l, IWSC London 2016 (UK) 1st prize, Saint Hilaire du Harcouet 2016 (France) Gold Medal, Vinalies Internationales 2016 (France) Silver Medal, Hong Kong 2015 Silver Outstanding Medal, I.W.S.C. London 2014 (UK) "Prix d'Excellence", Vinalies Nationales 2013 (France) 95/100, "Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation", Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2013 (USA) Silver Medal, I.W.S.C. London 2010 (UK) 88/100 Guide des Vins Gilbert & Gaillard 2010 (France) ***** Highest Recommendation - Spirit Journal Dec. 2009 (USA) « Prix d'Excellence », Vinalies 2009 (France) 95/100 Dina Viner Dec. 2008 - Mikael Christiansson (Sweden) Silver Medal, Brussels World Contest 2007(Belgium) Silver Medal, Vimoutiers 2007(France) Silver Medal, I.S.C. London 2006 (UK) Silver Medal, Metz 2006(France) Gold Medal, Paris 2005(France) Gold Medal, Lisieux 2005, 2004, 1996, 1993(France) Gold Medal, Best Calvados , San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2003(USA) Gold Medal, Vinalies Internationales 2003 Silver Medal, Caen 2003(France) "Classic (96-100) Highest Recommendation"in The WINE ENTHUSIAST- Dec. 2002 (USA) Gold Medal, Brussels World Contest 2002 (Belgium) Silver Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2000 (USA) **** Vin & Mat n° 1, 2000 (Sweden)