{"product_id":"cuvee-n-2-maquisards","title":"Cuvée No. 2 Maquisards - Calvados Michel Huard","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Pays d'Auge 18-year-old cask strength Calvados, by Michel Huard\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCuvée n°2 Maquisards\u003c\/strong\u003e pays tribute to one of the most respected names in Norman Calvados: the \u003cstrong\u003eMichel Huard\u003c\/strong\u003e house. Distilled in 2008, aged for \u003cstrong\u003e18 years in French oak barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e, and bottled cask strength in 2024, this Calvados is available in \u003cstrong\u003eonly 80 hand-numbered bottles\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCask strength, non-chill filtered, no coloring, no water reduction — the raw essence of Pays d'Auge in its purest expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMichel Huard — the artisan of Pays d'Auge\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichel Huard works in \u003cstrong\u003ePays d'Auge\u003c\/strong\u003e, the premium Calvados sub-appellation that requires \u003cstrong\u003edouble distillation in a pot still\u003c\/strong\u003e — the most demanding technique, inherited from the Charentais distillers who migrated to Normandy in the 17th century. It is this double distillation that gives Pays d'Auge Calvados its incomparable finesse, its aromatic clarity, and its ability to age for a long time without losing its apple character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBitter, bittersweet, sweet, and tart apples — Huard uses a complex farm cider, slowly fermented, distilled with gentle heat in a traditional pot still. The result: a Calvados that truly speaks of Pays d'Auge, not a generic apple brandy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCask strength: 18 years in the barrel, no compromises\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cuvée was released at its \u003cstrong\u003enatural cask strength\u003c\/strong\u003e, without reduction with distilled water, without chill filtration, without E150a coloring, and without added sugar. The deep amber color is entirely due to the \u003cstrong\u003e18 years of aging in French oak barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e — not caramel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is what distinguishes a Maquisards Calvados from a mass-market Calvados: no dilution, no cosmetic additives. The raw material, as the cellar master tastes it from the barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e — Deep warm amber, coppery old gold reflections — color 100% derived from 18 years in the barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e — Baked apple, acacia honey, bourbon vanilla, candied orange peel, aged leather, subtle roasted and smoky notes in the background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e — Round and rich attack, structured mid-palate with apple tarte Tatin and soft caramel, spicy mid-palate (cinnamon, nutmeg), evolving towards prune, blond tobacco, and Cuban cigar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e — Long, persistent, slightly woody, return of tart apple — the imprint of Pays d'Auge in all its depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to serve a Michel Huard 18-year-old cask strength Calvados?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Tulip or balloon, never on ice. Reduced surface area to concentrate the aromas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e — 18-20°C (cellar temperature, never cold).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhen\u003c\/strong\u003e — After a meal, for contemplation. Or paired with a Livarot, Pont-l'Évêque, warm tarte Tatin, or a cigar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity\u003c\/strong\u003e — 2 to 3 cl is enough to fully appreciate it. A few drops of water if you find the strength too powerful on the attack.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCuvée n°2 — 80 hand-numbered bottles\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Calvados Michel Huard edition is available in \u003cstrong\u003eonly 80 bottles\u003c\/strong\u003e, each \u003cstrong\u003ehand-numbered and signed by the producer\u003c\/strong\u003e. Once sold out, it will never be reproduced. This makes it both a collector's item and a bottle to drink — not to let gather dust indefinitely in a cupboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho is this cuvée for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor connoisseurs who have explored cognacs and want to (re)discover the nobility of Calvados. For collectors of rare and numbered bottles. For bartenders who want to surprise their customers with an exceptional and little-known French spirit. For those who believe that French apples deserve better than supermarket Calvados.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResist. Drink French.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a cask strength Calvados?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA Calvados bottled directly at its natural strength from the barrel (generally 45 to 55°), without water reduction, without chill filtration, and without coloring. It preserves the full aromatic profile forged by aging in oak — here, 18 years for the Michel Huard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between Calvados and Calvados Pays d'Auge?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Calvados” is the broad AOC (90% of production). “Calvados Pays d'Auge” is the premium sub-appellation that requires double distillation in a pot still and cider made predominantly from bitter apple varieties. Always prefer Pays d'Auge for its finesse — this is what Michel Huard produces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is Michel Huard?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn artisanal distiller from Pays d'Auge, one of the most respected names in Norman Calvados. Maquisards selected a unique vintage 2008 cuvée from him, aged 18 years in a barrel, for this n°2 edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many bottles were produced?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e80 bottles, hand-numbered and signed by the producer. Once sold out, the cuvée will never be reproduced. See the number of your bottle on the back label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to store an open bottle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBottle upright (never on its side), away from light and temperature variations. Once opened, ideally consume within 12-18 months to fully enjoy the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShould Michel Huard Calvados be drunk neat or in a cocktail?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNeat, as a digestif, at 18-20°C — this is the tasting it deserves. Its rarity (80 bottles) and age (18 years) make it a meditation bottle, not for mixology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat glass to use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTulip, balloon, or Glencairn glass. Never use ice — it dulls the aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes Calvados age in the bottle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Like all spirits, Calvados does not evolve once bottled. Its age corresponds solely to the time spent in the barrel — here 18 years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maquisards by De Michellot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54275080487241,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1010\/4864\/8009\/files\/cuvee-n2-maquisards-calvados-michel-huard-6111337.jpg?v=1777209617","url":"https:\/\/maquisards.fr\/en\/products\/cuvee-n-2-maquisards","provider":"Maquisards","version":"1.0","type":"link"}