For the ninth edition of Christian Drouin’s Expérimental range, the French producer has turned its attention to Scotland to create Arran Angels.
The limited-edition calvados will be exclusively distributed in the UK by Speciality Brands.
Drouin and the Arran distillery have had a relationship for many years and have exchanged casks for decades. For this release, a 13-year-old Pays d’Auge calvados was matured for six months in French oak casks that were originally gifted to the Arran distillery from Drouin and had been used to mature Arran whisky for more than 17 years.
Situated in Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, the distillery is one of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland. It will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Guillame Drouin said he was pleasantly surprised when he asked Arran distillery manager Euan Mitchell if he could share some casks. “After a bit of research, Euan told us that some casks from our distillery, which had been used to mature whiskies for over 17 years, had just become available. We were delighted to see these casks return to our cellars after their long journey to Scotland.”
On the nose, the calvados is delicate with distinctive aromas of apples – from ripe, juicy orchard apples to soft caramelised apples fried in butter. It then opens up with notes of malt, apricot, and pear, with a “perfect balance” of roundness and acidity. The finish displays hints of hazelnut and cereal.
Christian Drouin Expérimental Arran Angels (ABV 46.9%) is available from Speciality Brands in 70cl bottles with an RSP of £105.
