A great privilege to work for the company that imports this to my market. Where small batch actually means something, these guys are still making it the same way for generations. A treat if you can find it, but the older bottlings are true unicorns. Nose is apples, as it should be, but so much more. The French love their “terroir” and this is a shining example. It’s not just the scent of apples, it’s the stems and trees and soft, grassy ground beneath it. The sun is halfway between it’s zenith and setting casting a golden light through the leaves. It’s the smell between summer and fall with a lot of caramel and honey rounding it out. On the palate, it does taste young to be fair. But here it shines too, real cinnamon notes make it taste almost like an unsweetened apple pie. Nutmeg and clove make an appearance furthering all the pastry baking notes. It’s youth keeps the apple notes fresh and vibrant, like a good cider rather than being subdued by the oak. And for being only 6 years old, it has wonderful viscosity and tannic structure. I’d love to try eau de vie right from the still to compare. It’s finish is where it’s age betrays it. While excellent in it’s warming tendencies, it is a joy far too quick to flee. Parting is such sweet sorrow.