Uploaded July 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, Reinhard reviews Boulard Xo Auguste calvados. Learn about this French brandy as we explore it in detail.
Buy Now:
Drizly: drizly.sjv.io/aEM1N
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/spirits/boulard-xo-auguste-calvados
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about Calvados with our guides:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/calvados
00:00 Introduction
Boulard calvados was reviewed using the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula, a quantifiable review matrix that you can use online or quickly refer to if you're in a hurry.
00:50 Overview
Founded in 1825, Boulard is produced in the Pays d'Auge zone in Normandy, France. This AOC usually produced the most refined apple cider brandy. Its production is very similar to other brandy like cognac or armagnac. The Auguste XO has been aged for at least six years with a blend that consists of six to 15 years and beyond.
03:24 Robe & Appearance
Auguste XO has a beautiful golden brown robe with a thick and oily viscosity. The legs and tears are prominent and slowly run down the side of the glass.
03:52 Nose
The nose provides a blast of fruitiness and freshness. Despite its age, it retains a lot of the apple characteristic that shines through. It's dominated by baked spicy apple with a sharp acidic character. However, it has a musky and earthy profile, too. There's also a bitter quality on the nose that reveals some tannins.
05:53 Palate
A very mellow beginning with a creamy profile develops a distinct sweetness upfront before acidity comes to the forefront. This holistic stimulation takes on a variety of sensations. It has minty freshness and dried herbs such as basil and terragon. Meanwhile, citrus qualities are present including zesty orange and grapefruit. The apple remains present when a leathery teabag pipe tobacco finish reveals itself.
08:16 Overall Experience
The bottle is ornate with a heavy lid and features the classic indications of the region. Its alcohol percentage is a standard 40% ABV. It comes with a box, which has a prestigious and luxurious appearance. Expect to pay around $130 to $150 for a bottle in the USA. You can enjoy it neat or pour it over ice. Similarly, it can be enjoyed as part of a cocktail if you prefer.
09:51 Cocktail Suggestions
Head to bespokeunit.com/spirits/calvados/cocktails for our Calvados cocktail suggestions. Otherwise, this expression will go well as a base spirit for a sidecar, a sazerac, and other brandy cocktails.
11:01 Pairings
When choosing cigars, consider dark-roasted and characterful options like those from Vega Fina. You can also consider things like tonka bean ice cream as a sweet option or salted pretzel snacks if you prefer something savoury.
Already tried Boulard XO Auguste Calvados or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
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Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
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Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
In this video, Reinhard reviews Boulard Xo Auguste calvados. Learn about this French brandy as we explore it in detail.
Buy Now:
Drizly: drizly.sjv.io/aEM1N
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/spirits/boulard-xo-auguste-calvados
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about Calvados with our guides:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/calvados
00:00 Introduction
Boulard calvados was reviewed using the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula, a quantifiable review matrix that you can use online or quickly refer to if you're in a hurry.
00:50 Overview
Founded in 1825, Boulard is produced in the Pays d'Auge zone in Normandy, France. This AOC usually produced the most refined apple cider brandy. Its production is very similar to other brandy like cognac or armagnac. The Auguste XO has been aged for at least six years with a blend that consists of six to 15 years and beyond.
03:24 Robe & Appearance
Auguste XO has a beautiful golden brown robe with a thick and oily viscosity. The legs and tears are prominent and slowly run down the side of the glass.
03:52 Nose
The nose provides a blast of fruitiness and freshness. Despite its age, it retains a lot of the apple characteristic that shines through. It's dominated by baked spicy apple with a sharp acidic character. However, it has a musky and earthy profile, too. There's also a bitter quality on the nose that reveals some tannins.
05:53 Palate
A very mellow beginning with a creamy profile develops a distinct sweetness upfront before acidity comes to the forefront. This holistic stimulation takes on a variety of sensations. It has minty freshness and dried herbs such as basil and terragon. Meanwhile, citrus qualities are present including zesty orange and grapefruit. The apple remains present when a leathery teabag pipe tobacco finish reveals itself.
08:16 Overall Experience
The bottle is ornate with a heavy lid and features the classic indications of the region. Its alcohol percentage is a standard 40% ABV. It comes with a box, which has a prestigious and luxurious appearance. Expect to pay around $130 to $150 for a bottle in the USA. You can enjoy it neat or pour it over ice. Similarly, it can be enjoyed as part of a cocktail if you prefer.
09:51 Cocktail Suggestions
Head to bespokeunit.com/spirits/calvados/cocktails for our Calvados cocktail suggestions. Otherwise, this expression will go well as a base spirit for a sidecar, a sazerac, and other brandy cocktails.
11:01 Pairings
When choosing cigars, consider dark-roasted and characterful options like those from Vega Fina. You can also consider things like tonka bean ice cream as a sweet option or salted pretzel snacks if you prefer something savoury.
Already tried Boulard XO Auguste Calvados or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter









![How To Acclimate New Cigars: Essential First Step Before Storing
Learn from Bespoke Units Paul Anthony & Charles Philippe what to do first before storing cigars! Watch our video for a step-by-step guide to acclimating your new cigars.
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Boveda packs (all sizes): https://amzn.to/2PQTev7
CONTINUE WATCHING:
What is relative humidity? Our guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk5ixts2QYA
Learn what relative humidity ranges suit cigars: https://youtu.be/HA9WZlJsmRA
How to make a tupperdor: https://youtu.be/k30rM3SrPpI
Our videos on cigar storage:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfsWHCy_hDdo4W3Dy_JSuwg0NOeRKp4d2
READ ABOUT CIGARS:
Written version of the tupperdor guide above: https://bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/diy/tupperdors/
All of our written content on cigars:
https://bespokeunit.com/cigars
How To Acclimate New Cigars: Essential First Step Before Storing
When you pick up some new cigars, whether singles or boxes, you dont know their relative humidity, or RH.
Therefore, you need to get them to the same RH as the container youre going to introduce them into, probably between 65% and 70% RH. In order to do this, youll first put them into a microclimate of the correct RH. We recommend using a tupperdor, that is, a tupperware-type container with an airtight seal. The cigars will go inside the tupperdor alongside Boveda packs; one standard 60g pack humidifies up to 25 cigars.
Ideally, youll use a smart sensor or calibrated digital hygrometer in order to determine when the cigars are ready. Generally, two weeks is a good amount of time, but it depends on various factors.
[01:03] Why is acclimation necessary?
If you put a new box of cigars into your humidor, it could be at, say, 50% RH. This would shock the cigars already in your humidor which were at 65% RH or higher, adversely affecting their quality. Hence, as your cigar collection grows, this will become a very important consideration.
[01:46] How do I acclimate my cigars?
The best thing to do is to put your cigars in their own microclimate separate from the rest of your collection. A simple way to do this is with a tupperdor, which you can easily put together yourself.
You use a tupperware container with a very good airtight seal, a humidification source, and a hygrometer. For the latter, we prefer a smart sensor, as this will make it easier. You need to ensure the relative humidity inside your tupperdor reaches the level inside your main collection. When it does, your new cigars are ready to introduce into the rest of your collection.
[03:21] Easiest Solution
Even easier than the tupperdor, however, is the Boveda Humidor Bag. This serves the same purpose as the tupperdor, that is, an airtight container with a humidification source.
[03:45] Storing wooden boxes of cigars
The scenario were showing here would make acclimation particularly necessary, as these nub cigars come in a wooden box. Therefore, not only the cigars themselves, but the wood of the box may be much drier than the rest of your collection.
[04:17] Conclusion
Acclimation is something a lot of you probably dont think about, and its something we didnt think about before.
However, while its an extra step in the storage process, its one weve come to find necessary. Weve arrived at our current methods after making many mistakes and trying many solutions. Still, whether your experiences are consistent with ours or not, we want to hear about them!
REMEMBER to comment! What are your experiences with acclimation and adding new cigars to humidors? Also, suggest any other cigar storage topic youd like us to feature on Bespoke Unit!
Yours,
The Bespoke Unit Team
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How To Acclimate New Cigars: Essential First Step Before Storing
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