Calvados

Brandy made by distilling cider. Cider distillation is a very old tradition in Normandy, first written about in 1553 in the diary of Gilles de Gouberville, a gentleman of the Cotentin. The best Calvados is made with cider that is over a year old.

Calvados is a harsh, rough brandy, 72?, which must mature for a time in oak casks. It may only be sold after having aged a year.

It is usually categorized as follows:

• - Trois Etoiles: Calvados is aged for two years in wood.
• - Vieux or Reserve: are aged for three years.
• - VO (Very old): are aged for four years.
• - VSOP(Very Superior Old Pale): are aged for five years.
• - Extra, Napoleon, Hors d'Age, or Age Inconnu: aged more than five years