BUSNEL Calvados Pays d'Auge V.S.O.P.

I'm quite fond of the Laird's Bottled-in-Bond apple brandy, but I've only tried two different calvados before this one. I primarily purchased this for cocktails, and my comparison to Lairds might be influencing my score, but I'm not the biggest fan. The aroma is rather uninspired, with pear and apple notes, but the ethanol is a bit strong for 80 proof (letting it rest does reduce the intensity). On the palate, apple is dominant, followed by pumpkin, oak, and spice. The finish is quite smooth with a mild warmth. The apple flavor persists through the finish. If not for the uninteresting nose and predictable palate, I might have rated it higher, but it's nowhere near as good as Lairds. It's a respectable calvados (at least from my limited experience with calvados), but it's all quite standard, making it a suitable cocktail mixer but an average sipper. I may need to try different calvados brands for a better perspective, but I don't quite grasp the appeal of this particular bottle.

The aroma is off-putting. Crisp red apples on the taste provide a pleasant contrast. The finish is quick, clean, and slightly warming. I wish I could overlook the aroma to appreciate the taste more.

Intriguing aroma, but the palate is quite standard.