A strong brandy made from apples in the Normandy region of France.
Named after the Calvados department in Normandy, France, where the drink has been produced since the 16th century. The region's name itself comes from Spanish ships called 'calvos' that wrecked there. The appellation became associated with apple brandy production in the area.
Calvados is one of the few spirits named after a geographic location that's actually legally protected—you can only call it Calvados if it comes from that specific French region, similar to how Champagne can only come from Champagne, France. It's made by fermenting cider and then distilling it, which is why it has that complex apple flavor that whiskey drinkers often love.
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