Calvados X.O.
A blend of brandies ranging from eight to 40 years old, this Calvados has a deep amber hue and aromas of vanilla, leather and red fruit. Sweetness and spice balance nicely. Cherry leather, dried apple and toasted almond play off dusty nutmeg, ginger, black pepper and cassia bark. Fleeting lemon-peel astringency refreshes the finish. -K.N.