Château du Breuil Calvados Pays D’Auge 15 Ans was rated the best Calvados at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition. The French brandy scored a 99/100 and was awarded an Outstanding Gold. It was one of only six spirits to be given a 99, the competition’s top rating.
Speaking about the Château du Breuil Calvados Pays D’Auge 15 Ans, the judges noted, “A bolder style of XO with some toffee and nougat joining the baked and caramelised apples and vanilla pods. Very elegant with a luxuriously silky texture and a long-lasting smooth finish.”
It was a great night for the Normandy spirits makers overall as they won more medals than any other Calvados house. They took home a total of five medals, including a gold for their Calvados Fine, two silvers for their Réserve Du Château and 20 YO Réserve Des Seigneurs, and a bronze for their VSOP.
Nestled in the green heart of Normandy, the disitllery is located in a slate-roofed chateau that was built in the 16th and 17th centuries and was once the home of nobility. Among the note-worthy families that lived in the castle are the Bouquetots, the Montgomerys, the young “Tancrède de Rohan”, the Bences. Listed as an historical monument, the Chateau has been entirely restored by its new owners who have been distilling spirits for three generations.
Check out the complete list of medal-winning Calvados bottlings from the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition below:
| Name | Country | Producer | Medal |
| Calvados Pays D’Auge – 15 Ans | France | Château du Breuil | Outstanding Gold |
| 1990 Calvados | France | Calvados Christian Drouin | Gold |
| Calvados Pays D’Auge – Fine | France | Château du Breuil | Gold |
| Calvados Single Cask 15 YO Whiskey | Republic of Ireland | Teeling Whiskey | Silver |
| Calvados Pays D’Auge – Réserve Du Château | France | Château du Breuil | Silver |
| 20 YO Réserve Des Seigneurs Calvados Pays D’Auge | France | Château du Breuil | Silver |
| Christian Drouin 2000 Calvados | France | Les Chais du Verger Normand | Bronze |
| Le Vieux Lelouvier Calvados | France | Les Chais du Verger Normand | Bronze |
| Christian Drouin VSOP Calvados | France | Les Chais du Verger Normand | Bronze |
| Calvados Pays D’Auge – VSOP | France | Château du Breuil | Bronze |
Elsewhere at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition, High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey was rated the top Rye Whiskey, receiving an Outstanding Gold and scored 99/100. Maison Prunier Tres Vieille Grande Champagne Cognac, meanwhile, was awarded an Outstanding Gold and rated the top Cognac with a score of 98/100.