Chateau du Breuil, Calvados VSOP & Cognac Park Cognac VS, 40%

I do like miniatures.

The opportunity to explore new categories of spirits with contrasting styles at reasonable prices.

Doing an WSET L2 in Spirits course a while ago widened my horizons to the tasty delights of Brandy – under which Calvados & Cognac both reside.

Calvados – made from apples – & Cognac – from grapes – adhere to French rules & regulations relating to how, where & what they are distilled from.

Picking these up in the Celtic Whiskey Shop allows me to compare the two differing spirits.

Chateau du Breuil, Calvados VSOP, 40%

Quite a distinctive bottle on this one!

Exhibits a shade lighter pale brown than the cognac. Fresh, fruity dry cider nose with caramelly undertones. Clean & crisp on the palate. The barrel ageing is evident with some tannic spiciness & a decent warmth.

A pleasantly refreshing little number.

Cognac Park, Cognac VS, 40%

Presented in an elegant elongate bottle.

A deeper, richer caramelly nose presents itself. The palate has a rounder feel, redolent with fruity warmth flowing into a surprising tangy, lip-smacking spicy finish.

Nice

Thoughts

I like the cidery start to the Calvados – & the spicy finish of the Cognac.

Both of these brandies show the diversity of the category.

It’s a category I enjoy exploring.

Sláinte

Distiller article on Calvados here.

Advertisement

Donegal Catch, Craft Cider Battered Haddock Fillets.

I’ve encountered beer battered onion rings & Guinness stew before – but never Craft Cider Battered Haddock.

Tea time c/othewhiskeynut

Always happy to try out something new this Donegal Catch & Armagh Cider collaboration made my plate.

The batter was noticeably on the lighter & slightly sweeter side.

‘Orchard like’ in reference to fish is a bit of a stretch – but it did make for a very tasty experience.

Craft Cider Battered c/othewhiskeynut

I think I’d have these again!

An innovative pairing from Donegal Catch & Armagh Cider.

Sláinte

Symphonia, Irish Apple Rum, 40%

It’s great to welcome new innovation into the spirits category.

Irish Apple Rum c/othewhiskeynut

The Woodlab Distillery in Co Tyrone have released this Caribbean Rum infused with Irish Jonagold Apples grown in Co Armagh to create Symphonia Irish Apple Rum.

I picked one up in my local Aldi for appraisal.

Technically I suppose it’s a spiced rum – which as the fastest growing rum category is no bad thing.

Info c/othewhiskeynut

Initial nosing is full of sweet nutmeg & assorted spices – much like a liqueur – with a hint of apple purée.

Smooth on the palate. A lovely mixture of golden apples & a warming spiciness which grows to dominate the finish leaving a soft tingling caressed with baked apple.

I may not be the target audience – but it’s certainly an entertaining tipple.

Personally I’d have preferred experiencing the apple influence on it’s own – but as the spiced category is booming it’s fabulous to see a new Irish player on the scene.

Congratulations to The Woodland Lab & their Symphonia Irish Apple Rum.

Sláinte