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Calvados Christian Drouin
Fine Pays d'Auge Calvados since 1960, three generations. Double distillation, long ageing in oak casks.
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Discover Calvados Christian Drouin in photos
Maison Christian Drouin - great Calvados from the Pays d'Auge, three generations in Normandy
Calvados Pays d'Auge, vintages and ciders - Coudray-Rabut, near Pont-l'Évêque (Normandy)
Maison Christian Drouin is a family Calvados house from the Pays d'Auge, founded in 1960 and run today by the third generation. From cider apples to double distillation and long cask ageing, it crafts Calvados that ranges from fresh apple to candied fruit, acclaimed by more than 300 gold medals.
It all began with patience: that of a man who, from 1960, set spirits aside and gave them time. Three generations later, Maison Christian Drouin has become one of the great names of Calvados, housed in a 17th-century half-timbered farm near Pont-l'Évêque. Some thirty apple varieties, a precise distillation, cellars where every cask is followed one by one: here are Calvados for keeping and rare vintages, to discover direct on Avenue des Vins.
Three generations of patience, from Gonneville to Coudray-Rabut
The story begins in 1960 at Gonneville-sur-Honfleur, at the Fiefs Sainte-Anne. Christian Drouin senior buys the property and makes a decision that will shape everything: to build up reserves of spirits and patiently let them age. It is this sleeping stock, enriched year after year, that will later make the house's reputation.
His son Christian, a partner from 1969, turns this patience into renown. Sales begin in 1979, and his Calvados find their way onto great tables, in France and abroad. In 1991-1992, production moves to Coudray-Rabut, near Pont-l'Évêque, into a remarkable 17th-century half-timbered farm that today houses a collection of old Calvados.
Since 2004, Guillaume Drouin, an agronomist and oenologist, has represented the third generation. He carries on the family's standards with a creative spirit turned towards the future, new distillations, rare cask finishes, without ever breaking with what makes the house: the time given to fruit and wood.
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The Pays d'Auge apple, the raw material of Calvados
A great Calvados begins with a great cider, and a great cider with a good blend of apples. The house works with around thirty cider-apple varieties, split between bitter, bittersweet, the most numerous, sweet and sharp. Each family brings its part: the bitter and bittersweet give structure and tannins, the sweet the richness and sugar to ferment, the sharp the freshness and backbone.
We are at the heart of the Pays d'Auge, the cradle of the most renowned Calvados, the only area to hold the Calvados Pays d'Auge appellation, the most demanding of all. The Gonneville orchards, the house's historic cradle, are farmed organically. The apples are pressed and the juice ferments slowly into cider, an essential step before any distillation.
Bitter & bittersweet apples - Structure, tannins, aromatic depth
Sweet apples - Roundness, sugar to ferment, richness
Sharp apples - Freshness, liveliness, balance
Pays d'Auge & organic Gonneville orchards - The most demanding Calvados appellation; historic orchard farmed organically
Double distillation and long cask ageing
Calvados Pays d'Auge stands out for its double distillation: the cider passes twice through the pot still, here with a capacity of 2,500 litres. This second heating refines the spirit, concentrates the aromas and gives that sought-after finesse. Fresh from the still, the spirit is clear; everything that will make its colour and complexity comes afterwards, from the wood and from time.
In the cellars, the house favours small casks, which offer a more intimate contact between spirit and wood, alongside large vats of 15 to 25 hectolitres. Many are re-use casks that once held sweet and fortified wines, Sherry, Port, Rivesaltes, Banyuls, which lend their nuances. Over the years, a significant share evaporates into the cellar air, sometimes close to 4% a year: the angels' share, the price of time, which concentrates and polishes the old Calvados.
Double distillation in a pot still
The hallmark of the Pays d'Auge: two successive heatings in a 2,500-litre still, for a finer, more aromatic spirit.
Re-use casks and rare finishes
Small casks and large vats, including former Sherry, Port, Rivesaltes and Banyuls casks, which enrich the Calvados with notes of candied fruit and spice.
Time and the angels' share
Up to nearly 4% evaporation a year: years of patience concentrate the fruit and give the old vintages of the collection.
The Calvados and specialities of the house
From young, fruity spirits to old vintages, the house offers a wide palette around Calvados Pays d'Auge, rounded out by its ciders. The vintages and ranges on offer change with the blends and cellar releases: find those available on the house's page.
Calvados Pays d'Auge - the young expressions
AOC Calvados Pays d'Auge · Double distillation · A few years of ageing
The house's most approachable Calvados, where the apple still leads. A nose of fresh apple and orchard fruits, a lively, fruity palate. Perfect for discovering Calvados, in a cocktail or as a "trou normand", or in place of a light digestif.
Calvados Hors d'Âge and old vintages
AOC Calvados Pays d'Auge · Long ageing · Collection of old vintages
The heart of the house's reputation. Years in cask turn fresh apple into candied fruit, pastry, spice and woody notes. The old vintages, from the collection, even make it possible to offer the spirit of a birth year. To sip slowly, like a great meditation spirit.
Calvados, cask finishes
AOC Calvados Pays d'Auge · Sherry, Port, Rivesaltes, Banyuls casks
The creative touch of the third generation: Calvados finished in former casks of sweet and fortified wines. Each wood leaves its signature, dried fruit from Sherry, cocoa from Port, raisined fruit from Rivesaltes and Banyuls, on an already rich base. Original expressions, ideal to give as a gift.
The ciders of the Pays d'Auge
Pays d'Auge ciders · The same apples as the Calvados
Before being distilled, cider is first a drink in its own right. Made from the same orchards and the same care, the house's ciders offer a fresh, fruity way into the world of the Pays d'Auge, at the aperitif or at the table, with a galette or a Normandy cheese.
Calvados Pays d'Auge · Vintages · Normandy · Careful delivery across France and Europe
Why choose Christian Drouin Calvados
A great name in Calvados. Since 1960, the house has been among the references of the Pays d'Auge, backed by more than 300 gold medals in spirits competitions.
The know-how of the Pays d'Auge. Around thirty apple varieties, double distillation in a pot still and long ageing: the full method of the most demanding Calvados appellation.
A collection of old vintages. Decades of patiently built reserves make it possible to offer the spirit of a precise year — a unique birth or anniversary gift.
The creative spirit of the 3rd generation. Finishes in Sherry, Port, Rivesaltes or Banyuls casks give original Calvados, without ever betraying the fruit.
Direct from the house. Avenue des Vins gives you access to Christian Drouin Calvados and ciders without needless intermediaries, with careful delivery across France and Europe.
Frequently asked questions about Maison Christian Drouin
Where is Maison Christian Drouin located?
The house is based in Coudray-Rabut, near Pont-l'Évêque, at the heart of the Pays d'Auge, in Normandy, in a 17th-century half-timbered farm. Its historic cradle lies a little further north, at the Fiefs Sainte-Anne in Gonneville-sur-Honfleur, where the original orchards are.
Who runs the house and how long has it existed?
The house was founded in 1960 by Christian Drouin senior. His son Christian, a partner from 1969, launched sales in 1979 and built the international reputation. Since 2004, Guillaume Drouin, an agronomist and oenologist, has represented the third generation and runs the house today.
What is Calvados Pays d'Auge?
Calvados Pays d'Auge is the most demanding Calvados appellation, reserved for a delimited area of Normandy. Among other things, it requires a double distillation of the cider in a pot still. It is within this appellation that Maison Christian Drouin works.
How is Calvados made?
The cider apples are pressed, then the juice ferments slowly into cider. This cider is then distilled twice in the pot still (2,500 litres), giving a clear spirit. It finally ages in oak casks, where it takes on its colour, aromas and roundness over time.
How many apple varieties does the house use?
Around thirty cider-apple varieties, split between bitter, bittersweet (the most numerous), sweet and sharp. It is the blend of these families that gives the Calvados their structure, roundness and freshness.
How do Christian Drouin Calvados age?
The house favours small casks, which offer close contact with the wood, as well as large vats. Many are former casks of sweet wines (Sherry, Port, Rivesaltes, Banyuls). During ageing, a significant share of the Calvados evaporates each year, sometimes close to 4%, the famous angels' share, which concentrates and refines the old vintages.
What is a Hors d'Âge or vintage Calvados?
A "Hors d'Âge" Calvados has aged for many years in cask, beyond the usual age statements. A vintage Calvados comes from a single harvest year, shown on the bottle. Maison Christian Drouin keeps a collection of old vintages, which makes it possible to offer the spirit of a precise birth year.
Are Christian Drouin Calvados organic?
The Gonneville orchards, the house's historic cradle, are farmed organically. The organic certification concerns these orchards; to know whether a specific cuvée comes from this orchard or is certified, refer to the product page, where the mention is shown when it applies.
How do you taste Calvados and what does it pair with?
Young Calvados lend themselves to cocktails, the "trou normand" or the aperitif; old vintages are savoured slowly, at room temperature, like a great tasting spirit. Calvados also goes to the table: chocolate, apple desserts, matured Normandy cheeses, or a cigar for the oldest ones.
Which Calvados to choose as a gift?
For a memorable gift, an old vintage from the recipient's birth year is unbeatable. To introduce someone to the house, a Calvados Pays d'Auge of a few years or a cask finish (Sherry, Port…) are sure to please. Curious enthusiasts will enjoy the rarest expressions of the collection.
Where to buy Christian Drouin Calvados direct?
The Calvados and ciders of Maison Christian Drouin are available on Avenue des Vins, direct from the house, with no needless intermediary, and shipped to France as well as to the European countries eligible for delivery. On the house's page you will find the ranges and vintages currently on offer.
Calvados Pays d'Auge, vintages and ciders - direct from the house
Maison Christian Drouin - a family Calvados house of the Pays d'Auge founded in 1960, three generations in Coudray-Rabut, near Pont-l'Évêque (Normandy). Gonneville orchards farmed organically.
Calvados Pays d'Auge, vintages, cask finishes and ciders