Distillation The « Coeur de Lion » estate has two stills : one is an old portable still, made in 1946 to the design of its former owner, Pierre PIVET. It is in fact composed of two stills mounted on the same base-plate. It is still wood-fired, and is probably the only portable double-distillation still remaining in working order. Its operation requires considerable skill. As its capacity had become inadequate, a second still was installed in the press-house : this is a gas-heated Charentes-type still of 12 hectolitres, giving twice the former production capacity. The first distillation of cider yields an intermediate product, the « petites eaux », with a strength of about 30°. The heads and tails, which contain undesirable compounds, are carefully eliminated. These « petites eaux » are then heated for the second distillation, the « bonne chauffe ». The heads and tails are once again eliminated. The Calvados produced has a strength of 70°. As it emerges from the still, Calvados is colourless, produces a burning sensation on the palate, and gives off an aroma of fruit and alcohol.