Calvados is a spirit with Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), obtained by distilling cider and produced exclusively in the Normandy region of France.
Its name comes from one of the French departments in which it is made, Calvados. Legend has it that the name is a degeneration of the word "sauvé" (saved), originating from the story of a ship of Philip II's Invincible Armada (El Salvador) that was wrecked on the Normandy coast. Recent studies have revealed that the name Calvados referred to two mounds on this part of the Normandy coast, which served as a reference for sailors to avoid the emerging reefs. These elevations with little vegetation were called calva dos on maps, from the Latin calva dorsa, meaning "bald otero", as their naked appearance made them easily recognizable from the sea.
This dark-colored spirit has incredibly zesty, intense fruity aromas and a distinctive apple flavor with a long-lasting finish that make it a perfect dessert drink.