What is cider brandy?
Cider brandy is a spirit distilled from cider, usually aged in wood. In French it is called eau-de-vie de cidre. The best-known is calvados from Normandy, which can also use perry. Other protected cider brandies include Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne, Eau-de-vie de cidre du Maine and Somerset Cider Brandy in England.
Updated
Key facts
- Distilled cider. Calvados is an eau-de-vie distilled from cider or perry; about 18 kg of apples give 1 litre of spirit at 70%. [1]
- Breton cider brandy. The AOC Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne is made only from traditional Breton cider-apple varieties, aged in wood for at least 2 years (10 years for vintages), and may be called Fine Bretagne or Lambig de Bretagne. [2]
- Maine. Eau-de-vie de cidre du Maine is the AOC brandy used for Pommeau du Maine. [3]
- England. Somerset Cider Brandy is a UK geographical indication, first registered with the EU in 2012. [4]
- US. Apple brandy may be called applejack under US federal rules, and brandy is bottled at 40% ABV or more. [5]
Which cider brandies are protected?
| Name | Where | Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Calvados, Calvados Pays d'Auge, Calvados Domfrontais | Normandy and nearby | AOC [6] [7] [8] |
| Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne (Fine Bretagne, Lambig de Bretagne) | Historic Brittany | AOC [2] |
| Eau-de-vie de cidre du Maine | Maine | AOC [3] |
| Somerset Cider Brandy | Somerset, England | GI [4] |
Is cider brandy the same as calvados?
Calvados is one cider brandy, but not every cider brandy is calvados. Only spirit made in the calvados area under its rulebook, with copper stills, at least 2 years in oak and at least 40% ABV, may use the name; see what calvados is. [9]
How is cider brandy used?
It is drunk neat or in cocktails, and it is the base of pommeau: for example, Pommeau de Normandie is made with calvados and Pommeau de Bretagne with Breton cider brandy. [10] [11]
Related answers: what calvados is · calvados vs applejack · Pommeau de Bretagne
Find it on Cider Radar
- Normandy: 114 makers · Brittany: 73 · Somerset: 41 (as of 2026-10-02). Check each profile for brandy.
- Glossary: calvados
- 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.
Questions
What is apple brandy called in French?
Is Somerset Cider Brandy protected?
Yes. It is registered in the UK as a geographical indication for spirit drinks, in the category cider spirit and perry spirit. [4]
Sources
- FAQ — Calvados Nouvelle Vogue (IDAC)
- Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne (AOC) — INAO
- Pommeau du Maine (AOC) — INAO
- Somerset Cider Brandy (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- 27 CFR 5.145 – Brandy (standards of identity) — eCFR (US Government Publishing Office)
- Calvados (AOC) — INAO
- Calvados Pays d'Auge (AOC) — INAO
- Calvados Domfrontais (AOC) — INAO
- Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine contrôlée « Calvados » (BO AGRI, 23 December 2021) — INAO / IDAC (published by the French Ministry of Agriculture)
- Pommeau de Normandie (AOC) — INAO
- Pommeau de Bretagne (AOC) — INAO