TASTING NOTES: Bright deep rose color. Sweet, savory aromas and flavors of dried cranberry, red current, rhubarb, figs, sweet heirloom tomato, pimento, and applesauce with a round, vibrant, fizzy, sweet medium body. A concentrated rosé cider packed with flavorful sweetness.

RECENT AWARDS: Gold Medal, 90 points, Exceptional, Tasting.com 2018 World Championship

Producer—Pierre-Henri Agnes

La Chouette—which means “the Owl” in French—refers to the surprising bond between this elusive night bird and French cider. Traditionally, many farmers in northwest of France made their own cider with apples from their orchards. Often, the farmers made their cider in barns, where the owls could be seen watching over the production from their perches under the roof. Thus La Chouette has always looked after French cider and continues to look over our cider today.

Located near the stunning Mont Saint-Michel World Heritage site, La Chouette is produced in the cradle of France’s cider-making region. Cider-making has been a part of Pierre-Henri Agnes’ family tradition for three generations. Like Norman farmers of their time, both of Pierre-Henri’s grandfathers crafted traditional farmhouse cider (“cidre bouché”) with cider apples from their orchards or by buying cider apples and using the services of a mobile cider press and mobile Calvados still (a very popular approach in the 1940s to 1970s). When Pierre-Henri and his friend Alex decided to launch their cider company, Pierre-Henri remembered the story of an owl that would fly over his grandfather’s farm and dwell under the roof in the main building where his grandfather would store the fermenting apple juice. 

Process

La Chouette is insistent on finding the perfect balance between sweetness and tartness by combining both sweet and bittersweet apples, in the purist tradition of French cider-making. La Chouette only uses dedicated cider apples (never table or eating apples), always uses 100% pure apple juice (not reconstituted apple juice), and has no added sugar, water, coloring, or flavoring. Using these traditional, authentic, French cider-making methods gives La Chouette a pristine apple taste.

Recent Awards

Sixth Annual Cidercraft Awards 2023 - Platinum

A dry cider with surprising complexity and notes of green apple skin and ripe apples.  A hint of citrus tanginess on the finish. Full bodied with loads of personality. Keep several chilled for when guests arrive. It's a favorite!
Pair it with just about anything - hearty meals, vegetarian meals, seafood, cheese, charcuterie.
This classic Cidre Bouché Brut is produced by the Huet family on their 17th century estate in Normandy, France.
Apple varieties include Bedan, Binet Rouge, Bisquet, Fréquin Rouge, Saint Martin, Rambault, Moulin à Vent, and Mettais.
100% pure apple juice is fermented for four months to reach ideal dryness before being bottled. The second fermentation occurs naturally in the bottle.

Recent Awards: Gold Medal, USA Spirits awards 2022 - 92 Points

Tasting Notes : Deep amber in color. Lovely strong pear, and apple on the nose. Delicate notes of caramel and cider spices with a hint of salinity. Slightly peppery and minty on the palate, with a finish of salted butter caramel. Incredibly round and well-bodied leading to a long-extended finish...  Serve in a small brandy glass.

This Calvados XO (also known as Vieille Réserve 8 years) follows the strict Calvados AOC Pays d'Auge guidelines that require double-distillations in a traditional copper pot still called an "alembic á repassé." The fermented cidre that is used for making Calvados (called calvados cidre) is fermented for 12 months in hundred-year-old oak barrels before being distilled. After distillation, the resulting spirits are put in oak barrels once again and aged for a minimum of eight years. The cellar master then blends Calvados aged from eight to eleven years old to produce this Calvados XO.

This elegant Calvados is produced, bottled, and aged at a 17th century estate near the village of Saint Pierre in Normandy, France.
A fine amber color with a nose of cashew, almond, and pear aromas. The finish is a lingering, fine, and tender brandy. Serve in a small brandy glass at the end of a meal as a digestif. Pairs beautifully with a square of fine chocolate and a nice cigar.

This calvados has been distilled once in a single column still and aged over 15 years in small oak casks. 

750 ML bottles. In individual gift boxes. 40% alc/vol.

The oldest Calvados deserve the greatest respect: Choose a liqueur glass such as a tulip glass or small brandy snifter and pour your Marquis de Saint-Loup Calvados with care.  Warm it tenderly in the hollow of your hand.  Run the amber liquid slowly round the glass (held by the base) and admire its color and the patterns it traces on the sides of the glass. Calvados needs to breathe to develop its full qualities.  Wait for at least two minutes before bringing the glass up to your nose, finding the distance at which you can distinguish and absorb the subtle aromas. Then, take a few drops in your mouth before swallowing.  Now you are ready to truly savor your Calvados, sip by sip.  Take your time, and you will note a surprising development in flavor and taste. If you do not indulge too freely, your Calvados will leave a delicate fragrance on your palate.

This heady AOC Calvados is drawn from one, unique distillation batch from 1999 that was aged in small, oak casks that previously held sherry and port. 750 ML bottles. In individual gift boxes. 40% alc/vol.

This superb Calvados greets you with the aromas of crème brulée and roasted sugar.  Very buttery and round on the palate – somewhere between caramel and butterscotch.  A slight hint of horehound on the finish (licorice and root beer!).  The mouth is rich, well -structured and full-bodied.

The oldest Calvados deserve the greatest respect: Choose a liqueur glass such as a tulip glass or small brandy snifter and pour your Marquis de Saint-Loup Calvados with care.  Warm it tenderly in the hollow of your hand.  Run the amber liquid slowly round the glass (held by the base) and admire its color and the patterns it traces on the sides of the glass. Calvados needs to breathe to develop its full qualities.  Wait for at least two minutes before bringing the glass up to your nose, finding the distance at which you can distinguish and absorb the subtle aromas. Then, take a few drops in your mouth before swallowing.  Now you are ready to truly savor your Calvados, sip by sip.  Take your time, and you will note a surprising development in flavor and taste. If you do not indulge too freely, your Calvados will leave a delicate fragrance on your palate.

This complex AOC Calvados is drawn from one, unique distillation batch from the year 2000 that was aged in oak casks formerly used for Hungarian Tokai wine. 750 ML bottles. In individual gift boxes. 40% alc/vol.

Savor the aromas of flowers and honey. Taste the confectionary notes with orange spices.  The mouth is rich, well-structured, and round.

The oldest Calvados deserve the greatest respect: Choose a liqueur glass such as a tulip glass or small brandy snifter and pour your Marquis de Saint-Loup Calvados with care.  Warm it tenderly in the hollow of your hand.  Run the amber liquid slowly round the glass (held by the base) and admire its color and the patterns it traces on the sides of the glass. Calvados needs to breathe to develop its full qualities.  Wait for at least two minutes before bringing the glass up to your nose, finding the distance at which you can distinguish and absorb the subtle aromas. Then, take a few drops in your mouth before swallowing.  Now you are ready to truly savor your Calvados, sip by sip.  Take your time, and you will note a surprising development in flavor and taste. If you do not indulge too freely, your Calvados will leave a delicate fragrance on your palate.

This complex AOC Calvados is drawn from one, unique distillation batch from 2001 that was aged in oak casks formerly used for aging sherry. 750 ML bottles. In individual gift boxes. 40% alc/vol.

Admire the deep amber robe. Lift this calvados to your nose and savor the slight butterscotch aromas. Buttery and sweet on the palate with the flavors of stewed apples.  A deeply complex and structured finish.

The oldest Calvados deserve the greatest respect: Choose a liqueur glass such as a tulip glass or small brandy snifter and pour your Marquis de Saint-Loup Calvados with care.  Warm it tenderly in the hollow of your hand.  Run the amber liquid slowly round the glass (held by the base) and admire its color and the patterns it traces on the sides of the glass. Calvados needs to breathe to develop its full qualities.  Wait for at least two minutes before bringing the glass up to your nose, finding the distance at which you can distinguish and absorb the subtle aromas. Then, take a few drops in your mouth before swallowing.  Now you are ready to truly savor your Calvados, sip by sip.  Take your time, and you will note a surprising development in flavor and taste. If you do not indulge too freely, your Calvados will leave a delicate fragrance on your palate.

Awards

Silver Medal, General Agricultural Competition of Paris 2023

Silver Medal, General Agricultural Competition of Paris 2019

This Calvados is an aged and finely blended Calvados where the youngest spirit used in the blend is 15 years old.

Complex with subtle aromas of butter toffee and flowers.  Smooth on the palate, with a finish slightly reminiscent of honeysuckle. Serve in a small brandy glass.

This Calvados follows the strict Calvados AOC guidelines  requiring  distillation in a single column still.  The fermented cidre that is used for making this Calvados (called calvados cidre) is fermented for 12 months in hundred-year-old oak barrels before being distilled. After distillation, the resulting spirits are put in oak barrels once again and aged for a minimum of 15 years.  The cellar master blends this Tradition 15 years by carefully selecting the brandies that display the most supple yet complex characteristics.

RECENT AWARDS: Gold Medal: General Agricultural Competition Paris 2011

CERTIFICATION: Calvados Pays d'Auge (Protected Designation of Origin)

AGEING: Minimum of 20 years in oak barrels.

REFERENCES
The Calvados, Cordon Argent Pierre Huet, is served in prestigious restaurants as: L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, restaurant of Paul Bocuse or Le Cafe Dessirier, one of the most seafood restaurant in Paris owned by Michel Rostang.

This Calvados is an aged and finely blended Calvados where the youngest spirit used in the blend is 20 years old. 

Inviting aromas of apple tart, salted butter caramel, and sugared apples greet the nose with a touch of mint and rancio. The palate is nutty with a touch of caramel and vanilla, culminating in a luxuriously complex finish with dark chocolate and clove.

Pierre Huet Calvados AOC Pays d’Auge Cordon Argent 20 years

This 20-year-old (minimum) blend follows the strict Calvados AOC guidelines that require single-distillation in a traditional column still called an “alambic á colonne.” The fermented cider that is used for making this Calvados (called calvados cidre) is fermented for 12 months in hundred-year-old oak barrels before being distilled. After continuous distillation, the resulting spirits are put in oak barrels once again and aged for a minimum of 20 years.  The cellar master blends this Cordon Argent 20 years by carefully selecting the brandies that display the most supple yet complex characteristics. Savor in a small brandy glass.

Recent Awards:

Silver Medal - Bartender Spirits Awards, 2021

Silver Medal - Regional Competition, Cambremer, Normandy 2012

This Calvados VS follows the strict Calvados AOC Pays d’Auge guidelines that require double-distillations in a traditional copper pot still called an “alembic á repassé.”

Tastes of freshly picked apples sautéed in butter, with a hint of mint. Little complexity with a strong “eau de vie” taste. Perfect for craft cocktails or served over ice with tonic and a wheel of lime.

"Warm spices on the nose, with flavors of baked apple and a faint hint of mint on the tongue." Silver Medal - Bartender Spirits Awards, 2021

The fermented cidre that is used for making Calvados (called calvados cidre) is fermented for 12 months in hundred-year-old oak barrels before being distilled. The Calvados is then put in oak barrels once again and aged for two to three years.

RECENT AWARDS: Gold Medal, 92 points, USA Spirits Ratings

TASTING NOTES: Deep amber color.  Lovely strong pear and baked apple on the nose. Delicate notes of salted butter caramel and cider spices with a hint of salinity. Slightly peppery and minty on the finish. Incredibly round and well-bodied leading to a long extended finish. Serve in a small brandy glass.

This Calvados XO (also known as Vieille Réserve 8 years) follows the strict Calvados AOC Pays d'Auge guidelines that require double-distillations in a traditional copper pot still called an "alembic á repassé."

The fermented cidre that is used for making Calvados (called calvados cidre) is fermented for 12 months in hundred-year-old oak barrels before being distilled. After distillation, the resulting spirits are put in oak barrels once again and aged for a minimum of eight years. 

Recent Awards: Silver Medal – Regional Competition, Cambremer, Normandy 2012

This Calvados VS follows the strict Calvados AOC Pays d’Auge guidelines that require double-distillations in a traditional copper pot still called an “alembic á repassé.”

Tastes of freshly picked apples sautéed in butter, with a hint of mint. Little complexity with a strong “eau de vie” taste. Perfect for craft cocktails or served over ice with tonic and a wheel of lime.

"Warm spices on the nose, with flavors of baked apple and a faint hint of mint on the tongue." Silver Medal - Bartender Spirits Awards, 2021

The fermented cidre that is used for making Calvados (called calvados cidre) is fermented for 12 months in hundred-year-old oak barrels before being distilled. The Calvados is then put in oak barrels once again and aged for two to three years.

TASTING NOTES: Beautiful garnet color. Rich apple aromas that quickly give way to tastes of almond, honey, dried cherry and salted caramel on the palate. A lingering subtle oak finish. Medium bodied, classy, and bright.

RECENT AWARDS: Gold Medal 93 points, USA Wine Ratings 2022

A unique and delicious aperitif wine made by mixing 2/3 fresh apple juice and 1/3 one-year-old Calvados (a brandy spirit made from apples) then aging it for three to four years in old oak barrels at the Manoir La Brière des Fontaines estate in Normandy, France. 

Can be enjoyed neat or over ice as an aperitif. Enjoy in craft cocktails. Pairs beautifully with prosciutto-wrapped melon appetizers. A wonderful compliment to apple or chocolate desserts. Also use for cooking and making sauces for seafood.

Recent Awards: Silver Medal, 84 points, Bartenders Spirits Awards (BSA) 2024

This Calvados VSOP follows the strict Calvados AOC Pays d’Auge guidelines that require double-distillation in a traditional copper pot still called an “alembic á repassé.”  It is then aged for 4 years in casks that previously held Calvados.

Clear, golden color.  Aromas of caramelized apple with a slight woodsy-ness. On the palate this Calvados has a very bright and appley flavor. The finish is spicy.

The fermented cider that is used for making Pierre Huet Calvados (called calvados cidre) is fermented for 12 months in hundred-year-old oak barrels before being distilled. The Calvados is then put in oak barrels once again and aged for four years.

700ML 40% alc/vol.

Gold Medal, CiderCraft Magazine 2021, Specialty Cider Category 

Double Gold Medal, CiderCraft Magazine, 2018 Specialty Cider Category 

A delicious drink to accompany your meals during the fall and holiday season or anytime you want an exceptional cider! The chestnut and apples intertwine to make the perfect companion to turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. 

This divine elixir is made by co-fermenting apples and organic chestnuts. Flavors of candied chestnut, cocoa, and intense florals. Hints of mango and banana on the finish. Sumptuous bubbles. 

Why Cuvée XVII?  Because there are 17 ingredients: 16 varieties of apples plus the 17th element, the chestnut!

Gold Medal, Cidercraft Awards 2021, Dessert Cider Category

Platinum Medal, 97 points, Beverage Tasting Institute, 2019

Kystin Secrèt Ice Cider is one of the most intriguing ciders coming out of France right now.  Many of our customers have told us they've never tasted anything like it.
A garnet amber color warms up your senses before you experience the heavenly flavors of baked apple, dried cherry, dried mango and a fleeting hint of ripe banana. The perfectly balanced acid on the finish provides an unexpected grand finale.  

Kystin Secrèt Ice Cider is produced by letting apples freeze on the tree in orchards in Sweden.  The frozen apples are then picked and transported whole to Brittany where Sasha Crommar presses the apples, then ferments and filters the pressed apple juice, transforming into this magical elixir.   
Presented in a beautiful 750ml bottle with Celtic runes on the label. The bottle alone is worthy of a place in your home bar.  

750ml, 10% alc/vol.  

Note: Why use apples from Sweden?  Because the orchards in Normandy and Brittany don't freeze often or long enough to produce the kind of frozen apple Sasha is seeking.