Malternative Belgium Le Bouc (Calvados #4, Giard) 1973 45%

Not the first Giard here, and always a good opportunity to remember this beautiful cellar (one of my favorites in the Calvados region). 1973, 45%. Let’s go!

Colour: Dark amber, amber hues. Irregular medium tears.

Nose: Apple rusticity followed by delicious bakery scents. Tatin pie, chausson aux pommes, plum clafoutis. Hints of limestone notes in the background. Apple and apricot stew.

Palate: Quite oily. Very close to the Amateur Spirit bottling profile. Verbena infusion, Bourbon vanilla, rich honey tones. Probably a bit more rustic, by the way, less on the fresher side.

Last Notes: Full of citrus notes with air, mainly dried orange. Deep yeasty scents. Great balsamic shades, like its twin. Back on the palate, you get a few malted notes, reminding me a little of some 15yo Irish whiskies.

Nice kind of Pays d’Auge Calvados. Really like Giard style. But I was a little bit more convinced by Amateur Spirit bottling, to be honest. 

My very subjective note: 88+/100