the house

Roger Groult

Distillerie Roger Groult">

Since the middle of the 19th century, Distillerie Roger Groult has been firmly rooted in the history and terroir of the Pays d'Auge. Founded in 1860 at the "Clos de la Hurvanière", it embodies the perfect fusion of Norman tradition and constant innovation, offering Calvados of exceptional quality.

Each generation of the Groult family has added its own unique touch. Pierre Groult, by distilling his cider, laid the first stone of this edifice. The recognition of his eaux-de-vie, highlighted by his first Gold Medal in 1893, paved the way for a legacy of mastery and excellence.

Léon's innovations, such as the planting of new orchards and the introduction of additional stills, solidified the distillery's reputation. Despite the trials of time, notably the First World War, the dedication to producing the finest Calvados never wavered.

With the rise of Roger Groult after the Second World War, the distillery underwent a remarkable expansion. His initiative in enlarging the distillery and building a major ageing cellar helped position Groult Calvados on the international stage.

Jean-Pierre Groult, with his forward-looking vision, expanded worldwide distribution while retaining the artisanal essence of Calvados. His efforts to plant new orchards and increase stocks ensured that growing international demand was met without compromising quality.

Today, under the management of Estelle, Charlotte and Jean-Roger, the distillery successfully combines ancestral production methods with modern approaches. Whether it's wood-fired double distillation, perpetual blending or the introduction of original cuvées, each Calvados reflects the rich tapestry of the Groult family's history, terroir and unrivalled expertise.

Roger Groult calvados in our shop

The Roger Groult range reads like a ladder of time: the higher you climb, the longer the blend has aged in cask. All our bottlings come in 70 cl bottles and carry the AOC Calvados Pays d'Auge.

To begin: Réserve 3 years and 8 years

The Calvados Réserve 3 years is the gateway to the house: lively and fruity, it keeps all the freshness of the fruit. Enjoy it as a light digestif, in a long drink or in cooking. The 8 years gains in roundness, with baked apple notes that begin to blend with the cask.

The great digestifs: 12 years and Vénérable 18 years

The 12 years and the Calvados Vénérable, an 18-year-old, move into another register: candied fruit, woody notes, sweet spices. This is often where the Groult style, concentrated and generous, really comes through.

The oldest blends: Âge d'Or, Doyen d'Âge and Réserve Ancestrale

At the top of the range, the Âge d'Or, the Doyen d'Âge and the Réserve Ancestrale, as their names suggest, draw on the oldest eaux-de-vie in the cellars. These are exceptional cuvées, to give as a gift or to open for a special occasion.

From fruit to still: the Groult method

Everything starts with the fruit, in the Normandy hills. The Groult family blends around thirty varieties of cider apples: about 70% bitter and bittersweet apples (Antoinette, Fréquin Rouge, Bisquet, Moulin à Vent), 20% sweet apples (Bedan, Noël des Champs) and 10% sharp apples (Rambaud, Petit Jaune). This balance gives each cuvée its structure and aromas.

The cider is then distilled twice in three small wood-fired Charentais pot stills, known as "à repasse". This slow, demanding double distillation over a wood fire concentrates the aromas and gives a great deal of character. It is the method required by the appellation, and the one this family distillery has practised for five generations, today with Estelle, Charlotte and Jean-Roger Groult.

Ageing in oak casks and the perpetual blend

Ageing takes place in oak casks using a perpetual racking method: the casks are never completely emptied. Each blend thus retains a very old base, which gives depth to the whole range.

This work has been recognised: after a first gold medal in 1893, the house received the gold medal in the Best XO category at the World Calvados Awards 2024, then the title of world's best calvados at the World Calvados Awards 2025.

How to choose your Roger Groult calvados

To discover the house: the Réserve 3 years or the 8 years;
For a digestif with character: the 12 years or the Vénérable;
For an exceptional gift: the Âge d'Or, the Doyen d'Âge or the Réserve Ancestrale.

To compare with other Normandy producers, browse our calvados selection. And if you enjoy aged spirits, our XO and hors d'âge armagnacs are a lovely discovery.

Tasting

Serve your Groult at room temperature, in a tulip glass. The younger ones open with fresh fruit and pear; with time come vanilla, cinnamon and candied fruit. Let the glass breathe for a few minutes before tasting.

Frequently asked questions about Roger Groult calvados

Where is the Roger Groult distillery?

At the Clos de la Hurvanière, on the Route des Calvados, in Saint-Cyr-du-Ronceray (municipality of Valorbiquet), in Normandy. Visits and tastings are by appointment.

How much does a Roger Groult calvados cost?

The price depends on the age of the blend. Each product on this page shows its price, from the Réserve 3 years to the oldest cuvées.

How can I buy Groult calvados online?

To buy online, choose your bottle on this page and add it to your basket. Payment is secure and shipping is carefully handled, in packaging suited to spirits. Our customer service will advise you if you are hesitating between two bottlings.

Please enjoy responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health.

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