Yo Boozehounds,
Round 5 of my spirits faceoff may be the most difficult yet as I pit two equally aged Pays D’Auge Calvados from Chateau du Breuil and Roger Groult against each other. Of all the spirits I’ve had face off so far, these are the most similar making it necessary to really focus on the minute differences and the finesses in their respective strengths. Ready? FIGHT!
CHATEAU DU BREUIL CALVADOS PAYS D’AUGE 15 ANS D’AGE: Light gold apple juice color in the glass. Surprisingly, the first difference becomes readily apparent. The nose is strongly alcoholic and needs a couple of minutes in the glass to settle down. When it does, nice aromas of baked green apples and cinnamon. Pretty strong nose compared to the Groult.
In the mouth, spicy hit right away of black pepper and coriander give way to smooth baked apple flavors before the heat kicks in. A touch rough-hewn for a 15 year old Calvados but tasty indeed. RECOMMENDED
ROGER GROULT CALVADOS PAYS D’AUGE AGE 15 ANS: Also light gold apple juice color in the glass. Unlike the Breuil, the nose is more subtle and mellow. No heat on it and sweeter. More like baked red apples and doesn’t have the cinnamon bite on the end.
In the mouth, way smoother than the Breuil allows the baked apple flavor to hit right away. Very mellow but not as spicy as the Breuil. A touch sweeter as well. Heat is much better integrated. RECOMMENDED
WINNER: ROGER GROULT BY KO
Man was this ever close. The Groult edged out the Breuil with its smoothness but the Brueil almost overtook it with its complexity. Either one could’ve won this tough faceoff. You really can’t go wrong with either choice, to be honest.