This will be one of the most crowd pleasing spirits we've ever brought in from France: this 16 year single barrel exclusive of 70% pear and 30% apple distilled Calvados from the small producer Domaine Pacory. In the Domfrontais region of Normandy, the brandies are generally at least 60% pear. Located on the ferme des Grimaux, the Pacory property has been in the family since 1939, but it wasn't until 1959 that Claude Pacory decided to try to perfect the art of Calvados distillation. The torch was passed to Frédéric in 1986 and he's been carrying the tradition forward ever since. Pacory's orchards are 100% hautes tiges, meaning the trees are higher and older in age (as opposed to bas-tiges orchards that look more like grape vineyards with their tiny trees in vertical rows). The result is a more concentrated fruit that takes longer to grow, but it's worth it. This 16-year-old is a sure-fire winner for any lover of fruit spirits. It's equal parts fruit and oak, neither outshining the efforts of the other. The pear flavor also comes to the forefront right off the bat; ripe juicy pears that meld seamlessly with the richness of the wood. You shouldn't be asking us whether you should buy one at this point; you'll be asking us if we can get more once you taste it.