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Born from passion and nurtured with love, this delicious spirit is the brainchild of two visionary co-founders, Stephanie Jordan being one of them. As she sat in a charming café in Amsterdam chatting with me via Google Meet, her eyes sparkled with pride and excitement as she delved into the story of her beloved "baby," Avallen.
In West Normandy, France, amidst picturesque orchards and centuries-old traditions, a remarkable calvados takes form. Born from passion and nurtured with love, this delicious spirit is the brainchild of two visionary co-founders, Stephanie Jordan being one of them. As she sat in a charming café in Amsterdam chatting with me via Google Meet, her eyes sparkled with pride and excitement as she delved into the story of her beloved "baby," Avallen.
Before I get ahead of myself… I hear some of you asking ‘what is calvados?’
Calvados is an apple brandy with Appellation d'Origin Contrôlée (AOC) status. Which means it can only be produced in Normandy, France, and it begins its journey as cider.
Avallen, unlike any other calvados, stands as a testament to the perfect harmony between nature, tradition, and innovation. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, every step of its production pays homage to the rich heritage of “fruit spirit making,” where apples have been transformed into liquid gold for centuries.
Steph suggests that the French still regard it as a digestif, however, I know that it is a very approachable brandy as far as a bartender’s point of view. Many of the Savoy Classic Cocktails contain Calvados as a key ingredient, and let's be honest - apples are a delightful flavour to work with.
Served neat, tall with ginger ale or in a layered modern cocktail, it is an extremely versatile spirit.
Stephanie’s favourite cocktail using Avallen is the classic Angel Face, which combines gin, apricot liqueur and Avallen. She also tells me it goes well in an espresso martini … yes, coffee and apple are a thing! You should try it!
So, what sets this brand apart from the rest? Avallen goes beyond the liquid inside the bottle – it embodies an unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
From its conception on paper, Stephanie describes it as “sustainable by design.” A multitude of other environmental accolades are already bestowed upon this brand since its launch in 2019, including the 1% for the planet all focused around the very important work of bees!
Stephanie and her co-founder, Tim, both eco-enthusiasts, have woven sustainability into the very fabric of Avallen's identity. From the moment the first apple is plucked from the tree, to the time it's poured into a glass, Avallen treads lightly upon the Earth. It leaves a positive impact on both the land, bees and the communities involved, truly setting the bar for other brands, new and old alike!
Stephanie has said the route to market has been a challenge, with Covid being a main player here. However, as per usual, there is always an insightful pivot and it has been chefs and kitchens often adding Avallen into a menu via a plated item before the bar! Anna Jones, author of 'One Pot, Pan Planet’ who shares many of the Avallen core values has even been known to boast about its use in recipes.
Despite Avallen not YET being available on our shores, fear not - it will only be a matter of time!
It sits proudly on the shelves of many bars in over 10 countries now, and is a testament to team work, clever strategy and passion. Noble Spirits has just added Avallen to their portfolio in Australia, so fingers crossed it buzzes its way to Aotearoa soon.
Born from passion and nurtured with love, this delicious spirit is the brainchild of two visionary co-founders, Stephanie Jordan being one of them. As she sat in a charming café in Amsterdam chatting with me via Google Meet, her eyes sparkled with pride and excitement as she delved into the story of her beloved "baby," Avallen.
Enter Salut Salut, an intimate hole-in-the-wall Spanish wine bar. Despite its cosiness, Salut Salut has an impressive range of wines as well as a handful of spirits and predominantly NZ beers.
Cal Ross is the friendly face that greets you the second you walk into Parasol and Swing, or the wine pop-up downstairs, Brolly. His cheeky British banter and contagious laugh has gained him a reputation for impeccable customer service, which ended up winning him the Lewisham Award for Outstanding FOH for 2023. I sat down with him with a cocktail in my hand, as we often do, to ask about his past, present, and future in our thriving industry.