Normandy Meets Kentucky: Calvados Boulard Launches V.S.O.P. Bourbon Cask Finish

Leading wine & spirits importer Palm Bay International is pleased to announce the addition of Calvados Boulard's V.S.O.P. Bourbon Cask Finish to the current Spirit France portfolio, which includes Calvados Boulard X.O., Calvados Boulard V.S.O.P. and Boulard Auguste X.O. Calvados Boulard is a renowned fifth-generation company, producing the most exported Calvados in the world.

Calvados Boulard V.S.O.P. Bourbon Cask Finish is a very limited release with 500 cases available globally, half of which are allocated to the US market. The V.S.O.P. Bourbon Cask Finish is the first expression in Boulard's new 12 Barrel Collection, showcasing innovation in the spirit's finish.

Calvados Boulard's V.S.O.P. Bourbon Cask Finish is bottled at 88 proof and includes the bottle number and signature of the cellar master, Richard Prével, on the front label. Calvados Boulard V.S.O.P. is the result of blending different Calvados Pays d'Auge aged at a minimum of 4 years. Calvados Boulard V.S.O.P Bourbon Cask Finish is aged in oak casks for the necessary time to obtain the perfect blend, and then rested in Bourbon casks. The finished spirit has an attractive, buttery bouquet with nuances of smoke and vanilla notes, reminiscent of crème brûlée. This limited-edition expression reveals a generous and complex palate, with layers of honey, baked apple and maple syrup.

"Our bourbon cask finish is the next step in our brand's evolution. In the first half of the 20th century, we were the first brand to use double distillation in Normandy and the first Calvados to export to the US," said Serge Der Sahaguian, the CEO of Spirit France. "Now we are looking towards the future with our new cask-finish approach. We think of our new expression as Normandy meets Kentucky."

To produce the full, signature profile of the product line, Boulard selects 30-40 varieties of apples from the existing 120 varieties in Pays d'Auge. Calvados Boulard uses only cider apples, from the four major families: bitter for structure, balance and harmony; sweet for richness in sugar; bittersweet for tannins; and slightly acidic for freshness. Double distillation consists of two successive heating stages over direct flame: the first gives the "petite eau" and the second, the "bonne chauffe." A slow and meticulous maturing process starts in oak casks, resulting in a golden and amber color.

Calvados Boulard's V.S.O.P. Bourbon Cask Finish is rolling out nationwide at a suggested retail price of $55 (750 ml). The spirit is best enjoyed neat or in a classic cocktail like a Calvados Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

About Calvados Boulard:
The international renown of Maison Boulard owes its origins to the inspiration of Pierre-Auguste Boulard, the founder of the prestigious Pays d'Auge distillery in 1825. Since the days of Pierre-Auguste, five generations of the Boulard family have contributed to the development of this family business, which has gone on to become an international company. With a presence in every single country in Europe and a distribution network covering 80 countries over 5 continents, Calvados Boulard is the number 1 exporter of Calvados in the world. For more information, visit http://www.calvados-boulard.com.

About Palm Bay International:
Palm Bay International, a Taub Family Company, has spent the past forty plus years curating one of the most admired portfolios of imported wines and spirits from key appellations/origins around the world, including a growing range of domestic wines. Collaborating almost exclusively with family-owned wine estates and distilleries, Palm Bay has developed a flourishing portfolio that meets the needs of every level of trade. Among Palm Bay's most valued assets is its remarkable network of long-term partnerships with our suppliers and with the foremost wholesale companies, as well as our own team of passionate, dedicated professionals. Through three generations of bold leadership and a commitment to authenticity and craftsmanship, Palm Bay International has solidified its reputation as a major source of fine wines and spirits and industry leader in the U.S. marketplace. For more information visit http://www.palmbay.com.