What is the difference between calvados and cognac?

Key facts

	Calvados	Cognac
Fruit	Cider apples and perry pears, fermented into cider [1]	Grapes, fermented into white wine [2]
Region	Normandy and nearby areas (AOC) [1]	Almost all of Charente-Maritime, a large part of Charente and a few villages in Dordogne and Deux-Sèvres [2]
Distillation	Copper column or pot still for AOC Calvados [1]; double distillation in a pot still for Calvados Pays d'Auge [3]; column still only for Calvados Domfrontais, made with at least 30% perry pears [4]	Charentais double distillation in two "chauffes" [2]
Minimum ageing	2 years in oak (3 for Calvados Domfrontais) [5]	2 years, without interruption and only in oak [6]

How are calvados and cognac made differently?

Calvados starts as cider. The juice of cider apples and perry pears is fermented, then distilled, and the spirit is aged in oak; see how calvados is made for the full process. [1]

Cognac starts as wine. BNIC, the cognac interprofession, says the wines for distillation have a low potential alcohol of around 9% and that adding sugar and sulphites during fermentation is prohibited. The wine is distilled twice: the first "chauffe" gives the brouillis, and the second "bonne chauffe" gives the eau-de-vie. Distillation must end by 31 March after the harvest. [2]

How do they taste different?

The base fruit is the main difference. Calvados keeps an apple and pear character, and young calvados is often used in cocktails, while older ones are sipped; see the best calvados for how age changes the drink. [7] Cognac is a grape brandy, so its fruit character comes from wine rather than cider. For other apple brandies, see what cider brandy is.

What do the age labels on calvados and cognac mean?

Both count the age of the youngest spirit in the blend, but the same letters do not always mean the same minimum age. [8] [6]

Label	Calvados: minimum age [8]	Cognac: minimum age [6]
VS (Very Special)	2 years	2 years
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)	4 years	4 years
XO (Extra Old), Hors d'âge	6 years	10 years

For calvados, these age statements are optional, but if used they must meet these minimums; "Réserve" means at least 3 years. [8] For cognac, "XXO" (Extra Extra Old) is reserved for spirits aged 14 years or more. [6] Calvados labels are explained in more detail in what calvados is.

Related answers: what calvados is · calvados vs applejack

Find it on Cider Radar

• Glossary: calvados · Glossary: cider apple
• Cider makers in Normandy: 114 makers (as of 2026-10-02). Some also make calvados; check each profile.
• Guide: types of cider (French cidre)
• You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
• Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android

Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.