IWSC 2025: Strong performance from Calvados XO

Spirit news

Wed 16 Jul 2025

By Rebecca Fraser

The 2025 IWSC spirits judging highlighted a strong year for Calvados, with a notable concentration of high-scoring entries in the XO category. Across a diverse selection of producers and maturation styles, the results point to both the consistency of established houses and the emergence of innovation within the appellation. The medal outcomes reflect a category where technical precision, balance, and stylistic clarity are increasingly evident.

Strong Showing from XO Calvados

The XO classification was particularly well represented among the top performers, accounting for the majority of Gold Medal recipients. These entries displayed a broad range of age statements, from 6 to 25 years, but shared common traits in terms of structural integrity, aromatic complexity, and refined use of oak.

Among the highest-scoring examples were an 18-year-old expression from Calvados Lecompte and a 10-year-old XO from Domaine Familial Louis Dupont, both receiving 96 points. Other Gold Medal-winning entries included a 25-year-old Calvados, also from Lecompte, and a bicentenary cuvée from Calvados Boulard. A 6-year-old XO from Calvados Père Magloire also achieved Gold, underlining that high-quality outcomes are achievable without extended ageing when production methods are carefully managed.

Commenting on the category’s performance, judge Antony Moss MW noted: “There were lots of really charming XO Calvados that expressed the base, but with sensitive use of oak and age, leading to deliciously fragrant and complex spirits.”

Age as an Indicator, Not a Guarantee, of Quality

While older expressions generally scored well, maturity alone did not determine medal level. A number of younger Calvados, particularly in the Fine, VSOP, and VS/Reserve classifications, achieved Silver and Bronze Medals by demonstrating clarity of fruit, balance, and appropriate structure for their category.

This year’s results suggest that while age remains a reliable indicator of stylistic ambition, judges are equally receptive to younger styles that are technically sound and commercially relevant. These expressions may appeal to consumers seeking fresher profiles and more accessible entry points into the category.

Innovation Within Category Parameters

Alongside traditional offerings, a small number of entries employed alternative maturation techniques. Notably, Domaine Familial Louis Dupont submitted a 3-year-old Calvados finished in ex-whisky casks, incorporating a smoky profile atypical of the denomination. This product, awarded a Bronze Medal, was singled out by Antony Moss MW as a distinctive entry with market potential: “Torabhaig Finish 3 YO Calvados Pays D'Auge (a smoky whisky cask finished calvados) was intriguing.”

Although such stylistic experimentation remains limited, its presence reflects a willingness among some producers to test boundaries, particularly with the aim of appealing to crossover consumers from whisky or peated spirits categories.

Category Outlook

The 2025 results indicate a positive trajectory for Calvados within the broader spirits sector. XO expressions, in particular, are demonstrating high levels of consistency and stylistic clarity. Meanwhile, controlled experimentation and enhanced attention to production transparency are contributing to a broader category narrative that remains rooted in tradition but open to evolution.

As international awareness of Calvados continues to grow, the performance of these entries offers producers a reference point for both quality expectations and category innovation.

A full list of 2025 IWSC medal-winning Calvados entries appears below. The full IWSC results can be explored on our website.

MedalScoreProducerEntry NameRegionCountry of Origin
Gold96Calvados Lecompte18 YO Calvados Pays d'AugeCalvadosFrance
Gold96Domaine Familial Louis DupontCalvados Pays D'Auge 10 YOCalvadosFrance
Gold95Calvados Lecompte25 YO Calvados Pays d'AugeCalvadosFrance
Silver93Domaine Familial Louis DupontFine Calvados Pays D'AugeCalvadosFrance
Silver92Calvados Lecompte12 YO Calvados Pays d'AugeCalvadosFrance
Bronze89Domaine Familial Louis DupontCalvados Pays D'Auge VSOPCalvadosFrance
Bronze87Domaine Familial Louis DupontTorabhaig Finish 3 YO Calvados Pays D' AugeCalvadosFrance