Nc'Nean Aon Calvados (2017/2025)

Nose

Cotton candy is the first association that comes to mind – light, almost ethereal, yet with a substantial presence. Underneath lies a thick layer of honey and caramel, which gives the whole thing an almost creamy texture even before you take your first sip. But the real magic unfolds when you give the whisky time. Juicy apple juice, freshly pressed and lively, pushes to the fore – here the Calvados heritage is unmistakable. It is not the perfumed sweetness of ripe apples, but the juicy freshness of crisp autumn fruits. Subtle oak notes play around the fruity centre like a restrained wooden frame around a lively painting. The high alcohol content is noticeable, but never aggressive – rather, it enhances the aromas and carries them powerfully to the nose.

Palate

Lots of apple, lots and lots of apple. The fruitiness of the nose continues, taking on a slightly compote-like quality without losing its freshness. Interestingly, a slight dryness develops in parallel, giving the sweet apple core contour and preventing the whisky from becoming too one-dimensionally sweet. Well-integrated vanilla notes form the foundation of this explosion of flavour – creamy, round, perfectly balanced. The honey spice that was already present on the nose comes into its own on the palate: non-stop, continuous, like a sweet melody that runs through the entire tasting. Oak spice joins in, never dominant, but always present.

Finish

Long-lasting, a very exciting wood note develops, contrasting with the subtle oak on the palate. This is where the complexity of barrel ageing comes into play: the Calvados barrels have not only imparted fruitiness, but also their own structure.