Imprisoned Apple

The story of “La Pomme Prisonnière”

In 1981, Christian Drouin launched the first “Pomme Prisonnière”.

By chance, just a few kilometers from the distillery, he discovered Didier Alleaume, a fruit grower whose family had been enclosing a few pears each year in carafes for four generations, sharing this rare delicacy with a privileged few.

The idea of combining the apple with Calvados quickly became appealing. Together, they decided to embark on the adventure of “La Pomme Prisonnière.”

How is the apple placed inside the carafe?

Every April, the apple trees bloom with white and pink flowers. In May, the fruit begins to form inside the fading flower. Unfertilized fruits fall off after flowering — only about 5% of the embryos will develop into apples. Waiting until the end of this drop to place the young fruit into the carafe risks the neck of the bottle being too narrow. Doing it too early guarantees failure!

The challenge lies in determining the exact moment to hang the carafe on the branch and insert the tiny apple, which will grow throughout the summer. In late September, the carafe is carefully detached from the tree, cleaned, and filled with Christian Drouin Calvados Pays d’Auge. During the long months of maceration, the flavor of the apple blends beautifully with the Calvados.

To preserve “La Pomme Prisonnière” indefinitely, keeping its brilliance, simply top it up with Christian Drouin Calvados Pays d’Auge before it is opened — naturally!