A Spirited Cheese Pairing

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Calvados-Christian Drouin

Calvados is an exquisite apple brandy that made for an excellent part of this pairing. As this was the first time I had tasted Calvados myself, I really enjoyed tasting it and playing around with the different flavors that it offered up, and then seeing how those flavors paired with the selection of cheeses.

The Calvados is sweet and very floral, with notes of anise, red juicy plums and citrus. The taste of apple is present but not overpowering, just a sweet bite at the end. Crisp and clean.

Cheese: Epoisse

The Epoisse was a perfect pairing with the Calvados for me because of how they contrasted in flavor profiles. While the Calvados is sweet and fruity, the Epoisse is smoky and pungent, with flavors of nuts and smoked bacon. The salty cheese and the sweet brandy make for a superb combination.

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Comments

gsmantell

440628 2

I wouldn't cook with a wine that I wouldn't drink by the glass.

Jun 07, 2012 at 1:32 PM
bobzaguy

251522 15

It seems that all of the liquors tasted here are sweet.
Except:
"The gin is sweet, light, refreshing, robust, crisp and dry."
It would be helpful then to know the sweetness levels of the liquors.

Jun 07, 2012 at 2:19 PM
opinionate-
dalchemist

506734 22

No - not one of the spirits seen are really sweet. The have sweet notes - thats all - alcohol is definitely in the foreground and the sweetness just comes from the aging [ok there are also other sweetish aromas - however there is no sugar involved - except of the Hayman's which consist traditionally for a Old Tom Style gin a bit sugar.

For me it is though a geeks pairing - a normal customer would not do this... Calvados still would be understandable - however corn whiskey, tequila and gin? Maybe in a mixed drink - but not straight....

And then there is the quality issue: Sauza Gold? Really?
I rather would go for the 100% agave - Hornitos...

Jun 07, 2012 at 9:08 PM
bobzaguy

251522 15

Thanks. I know that isn't what is meant. It's just that all of the comments about the liquors was "sweet". The gin is described as sweet…and dry. A contradiction of alcohol terms.
I think the fact that all alcohol does taste sweet is the real problem for her.
I agree a "normal customer would not do this". People who drink alcohol neat aren't interested in cheese. Nuts. Pretzels. Yes. To balance the salt and "sweet". This whole fermented dairy idea with 80 proof alcohol is a bit of a fetch.

Jun 07, 2012 at 11:08 PM
opinionate-
dalchemist

506734 22

I would not go that far, to say, that people are not interested in cheese, when they are drinking spirits neat. The calvados pairing was interesting. However the pairing with [neat] moonshine, gin and tequila sounds just outlandish and forced. And especially drinking moonshine and gin neat, is a far stretch...

Jun 08, 2012 at 3:19 PM
bobzaguy

251522 15

Never had moonshine. Before my time. And I grew up in Iowa.

Jun 08, 2012 at 6:04 PM