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Home >> Digestifs >> Spirits >> Calvados - Cognac - Armagnac - Eau-de-Vie Calvados There are 11 different regional Calvados appellations in northern France. The best is generally acknowledged to come from the Vallee d'Augu, just east of Caen and the AC Calvados du Pays d'Auge. The spirits are distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged for at least two years. For several generations the distillerie Lecompte, in Lisieux, has been perfecting the art of making fine Calvados. By selecting only what they call the heart of the distillation, where the spirit is at its purest with a strength of 70% alcohol and by a long and rigorous ageing in selected oak casks, they have insured that only quality Calvados is produced. 5 ans, Distillerie Lecompte, Lisieux, AC Calvados du Pays D Auge, Normandie, France Price:£ 32.60/70cl bottle ... sold in cases of 6 bottles £195.60 Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   15 ans, Distillerie Lecompte, Lisieux, AC Calvados du Pays D Auge, Normandie, France Price:£ 53.10/70cl bottle Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Cognac The first great AC grape spirit of France? The best brandy in the world? The debates continue but suffice to say ... probably. The Cognac vineyard area is the third largest in France. Distillation is believed to have commenced around 1530. So much is fact, but why the poor to particularly grim local wine made in the area should, when distilled, produce a brandy with a taste and series of scents unequalled anywhere, remains a mystery, The Dor company, founded in 1858 by Amédée Edouard Dor, is famous for its sumptuous 19th century Grandes Champagnes - the vintages available range from 1805 to 1893. Their skills and experience extend to their full range of prestigious quality cognacs however and the above two examples are exceptionally fine. Cognac Sélection, A E Dor, Jarnac, AC Cognac, Charante, France Price:£ 30.60/70cl bottle ... sold in cases of 6 bottles £183.60 Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Grande Champagne Reserve No 6 - 35 years old, A E Dor, Jarnac, AC Cognac, Charante, France Price:£ 107.50/70cl bottle Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Armagnac The Gascons are keen to explain that armagnac is at one the oldest and the youngest spirit in France. The oldest because distillation was probably introduced by the Moors in the 12th century. The youngest because the producers are still arguing over the best way to produce it! Dartigalongue was established in 1838 and it is now run by the fifth generation of the family. It stands as the oldest and most respected house in the Bas-Armagnac. Their brandies are distilled exclusively from Bas-Armagnac region grapes. They are aged to perfection in oak casks and are only bottled and blended (when applicable) just before shipping. VSOP, Bas-Armagnac, H. Dartiglongue, Nogaro, AC Armagnac, Gers, France Price:£ 27.20/70cl bottle ... sold in cases of 6 bottles £163.20 Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   1968, Bas-Armagnac, H. Dartiglongue, Nogaro, AC Armagnac, Gers, France Price:£ 55.20/70cl bottle Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Eau de Vie The Brana family has been in the wine business for four generations. Martine is today fully in charge of the Domaine and she is considered one of the 'distillactrices" in France. When you taste her eau-de-vie you have the impression of biting the fruit itself. Not surprising when Martine uses between 10 and 14kg of Pear Williams to procude 1 litre of eau-de-vie! Eau-de-vie de Poire William, Etienne Brana, St Jean Pied de Port, France Price:£ 38.50/70cl bottle Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   © Cameron Cavendish Fine Wine. All rights reserved. Terms & Conditions