Christian Drouin finishes Calvados in Chichibu casks
Family-owned Calvados producer Christian Drouin has released a limited edition expression finished in Japanese Chichibu whisky casks as part of its Experimental range.
Chichibu Angels is the 11th limited release that continues Christian Drouin’s ‘Angels’ label series, also known as the Experimental range.
Previous releases from the collection include Calvados aged in various rum casks such as Caroni and Hampden, Hine Cognac barrels, and whisky casks from Springbank, Arran, and Japan’s Mars Distillery.
The latest edition is a 12-year-old Pays d’Auge Calvados, finished for four to 10 months in five casks used to age Japanese single malt from Chichibu Distillery in the Saitama prefecture.
The result is described as a combination of ‘aromas of one of Japan’s rarest single malts and those of Normandy’s finest eau de vie’.
Guillame Drouin, president of Christian Drouin Calvados, said: “It was a true honour for us to have the opportunity to work with such rare and precious casks, such as those from Chichibu.
“They imparted a refined elegance and delicate complexity to our Calvados, elevating its character in a remarkable way.”
The expression displays roasted apple and quince jam aromas, followed by barley husk, apple skin, and citrus fruit notes on the palate.
Limited to 2,082 bottles globally, Christian Drouin Chichibu Angels is distributed in the UK under allocation by Speciality Brands.
The expression has a recommended retail price of £105 (US$142) for a 700ml bottle.
Last year, The Spirits Business looked into the trends in Calvados.
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