Calvados for Christian Drouin was somewhat of a hobby after purchasing a farm in Normandy around 1960. The former industrialist from Rouen decided to use the cider-apple orchards to make calvados from there his aims were simple; produce a top-quality spirit, the best. In less than half a century the Drouin family business has been distinguished with 438 medals with 127 of them being gold or trophy wins.

Normandy, unlike other parts of France, has no vineyards to produce wine. However, the region is scattered with orchards, this is the home place for France's premier Apple Brandies - Calvados! Production of apple brandy has been taking place in Calvados for many centuries with the first documented production occurring 1553. Appellation quality control requires all Calvados to be tested and tasted by an expert panel to ensure quality. French domestic consumption of fine brandy is split into thirds; 1/3 Cognac, 1/3 Armagac and 1/3 Calvados.

The key to the Drouin success has been their approach to the entire process of production, it is the extra steps which make the difference. A vast majority of the fruit comes from Christian Drouin original estate and from the orchards surrounding the families new production site Coeur de Lion.