I've just bought a bottle of this from Tesco - apple brandy init? VSOP for (50cl) for £13.

Dear, dear. Check where it came from. There's no such thing as VSOP Calvados.

Maybe the shop wrote it on in crayon.

Retraction: Google reveals there are VSOP Calvados, but not at that price.

Sorry.

I have in front of me a genuine VSOP Calvados Apple brandy 50cl (fancy long thin bottle) and I paid a shade under £13 from my local Tesco. I think it was on offer, but I'll check next time I'm in. Would you like photographic evidence?

I must say, I'm disappointed with it. I was expecting some apple overtones, but I don't detect them...

No, no. I believe you. I get mine direct from the producer when I'm in France and from the LCBO in Ontario. The latter only have one sort and it's not the best. I'd never heard of VSOP Calva, but as I said, a google proved me wrong.

Does your bottle say where it was made? BTW you're right... no trace of appleyness (if that's a word) but, equally, it's hard to taste grape in Cognac.

On edit: If you're not enjoying drinking the stuff, I recommend using it for "trou normande". Just put a scoop of sorbet in a red wine glass (preferably apple sorbet, but mango is nice too) and pour a shot glass of Calvados over it. In Normandy this is served after the starter to 'clean the palette' before the main course. Delicious... and it animates the conversation during dinner nicely.

Says produced in France, Normandy. Appellation Calvados pays d'Auge controllee.

I suppose you are right about the grapes

I may try your suggestion...

Oooh

OK. That's where most of the large scale production is. It's the gen-u-ine article alright, but the local stuff is my first choice. I think the place has a website, but I haven't found it easily.

eeep! Gordon's is only good for the bitter end of the night when all else has been drunk! (and students!)

Get hold of some Plymouth Gin and pour over ice (the more the better), add decent freshly opened tonic water, cut a FRESH lime into eight wedges use two per drink, squeeze one into drink and wipe round rim of glass drop in drink, add the other wedge unsqueezed.

the best G&T you'll ever drink, i've served to people who swear they hate gin and converted them to the wonder juice! you'll also keep the scurvy at bay


could also try getting hold of some Tuaca and adding ginger ale (google tuaca recipes)

must try that - i love pimms and i love cava - never thought of mixing the 2 - sounds lethal!

My sister mixed advocaat with cava last christmas and assured me it was "lovely"... !

Was impressed that our local LCBO was willing to order in Pimms as they dont normally have it in stock. They held it in the office for me - what service!

Mojitos! or Cosmo's, already mentioned.