Calvados comes in from the cold

Boulard Freezstyl is a new-generation calvados intended to be served chilled. This innovation will be previewed by Spirit France at the annual international TFWA World Exhibition to be held in Cannes from the 18-23 October 2015.

The House of Boulard wants to refresh the image of calvados and reveal to the world this traditional French drink’s extreme versatility in both taste and means of consumption. The aim of cellar master Richard Prével was to create a fresh, light and invigorating calvados, empowering its fruitier notes, while intentionally reserving the woody tones in the background. This calvados should be kept chilled and served on ice to highlight its extraordinary vivacity that immediately seizes the palate.

Prével has selected several very fine eau de vie from the Pays d’Auge region, which have been aged for a minimum of four years in small vintage oak casks to minimise the levels of tannin. This process accentuates the notes of apricots, dried fruits, Muscat and of course those of the apple.

For such a novel means of consumption, an equally novel packaging was also required. Boulard Freezstyl comes cosily wrapped in cool blue and snowy-white neoprene, whose principle aim is to keep the Calvados chilled while it is being served or during its travels if it is to be consumed away from home.

To underline this particular Calvados’ icy vocation, its second skin is decorated with a flurry of stylised apples: the snowflake inside the apple, it says everything!

Boulard Freezstyl is 40% ABV and will be available from November 2015 in 1 litre format, distributed exclusively in duty free stores and travel retail outlets.

Also to be found on the Spirit France stand will be Calvados Lecompte new multi-vintage calvados Pays d’Auge – a limited edition of only 1600 bottles. This unique blend of five Maison Lecompte vintages (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992), has an ABV of 40% and is available in 70cl bottles.

Père Magloire is launching an exclusive range of two premium calvados – Mémoire XO and Héritage Extra – which will be available through sales outlets during the seasonal holiday celebrations at the end of 2015, both in France and internationally.

And Janneau presents for the travel retail market its VSOP armagnac in a 50cl PET flask version that is light and easy to transport. 

23 September 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor