Vergers de la Moriniere 1999 Pays d'A'uge Calvados

Finished in a Rhum barrel. In the glass this shows a deep amber color. Aromas of red apples cooked in a wood-fired oven mingle with notes of toffee and wood spice. On both the nose and the palate, slight hints of Agricole rhum with a mélange of exotic fruit and grassiness weave their way into the spirit, adding weight to the texture and firing the flavors toward a long finish.

We have seen the rise in recent years of a number of top notch producers aging or finishing their spirits in casks that once held other wines or spirits such as Port, Sauternes, Whisky or Rum. The Huberts decided to finish one of their oldest calvados in Rhum barrels. The barrel they chose was from Martinique and previously held an Agricole Rhum (thus the spelling). The barrel itself is of a smaller size at 240 liters. While some Calvados finishes that we have encountered in recent years have not been complementary, we found that in this case the existing concentration of sweetness already established within the wooden staves drew out a rounder and more forward character that only adds to the complexity of the spirit. This was bottled at a higher proof than most (49% ABV) and this is the first time in the United States! Enjoy!