Review of Eaglemount’s Homestead Semi-Sweet cider, from Port Townsend Washington.  I’ve tried a number of their ciders (see here) and visited their tasting room (see here).  Eaglemount is unique in that they also make wine and mead in addition to cider.  Note that they also make a Dry version of this cider.

Cider:  Homestead Semi-Sweet
Cidery:  Eaglemount Wine & Cider (& Mead)
Cidery Location:  Port Townsend WA
ABV:  8.0%
How Supplied:  750ml flip top brown bottle
Style:  American homestead-style craft cider made from Washingon-grown heirloom apple varieties

 

Availability:  Limited release.  Eaglemount ciders are distributed in Western Washington, Portland Oregon, Farmer’s Markets in Port Townsend, Port Angeles, Ballard, and Tacoma WA, Eaglemount’s tasting room in Port Townsend WA, and their online store.

Cider Description:  Homestead Semisweet cider is made from heirloom variety apples from our homestead orchard and other old orchards on the Olympic Peninsula. This cider is crisp, clean, with a touch of sweetness and apple goodness.

Cidery Description:  Our winery is located on an original 1883 homestead on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.  The heirloom apple varieties were the inspiration to continue the tradition of the original homesteaders by making hard cider.  Some of the heirloom varieties include Gravenstein, Winesap, White Pippin, Roxbury Russet, and twenty ounce.  We also source heirloom varieties from other old homestead orchards on the Peninsula.

Our Eaglemount Hard Ciders and Meads are made with certified organic or sustainably grown fruit.  The fruit comes from our homestead orchard, other homestead orchards in the area, our English and French cider orchard, and from certified organic growers in Washington State.

Price:  $14
Where Bought:  Eaglemount tasting room in Port Townsend WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I tried this at their tasting room and really enjoyed it.

First Impression:  Dark straw yellow.  Very low carbonation.  Smells mild, of fresh apples, yeast, and honey.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry to semi-sweet.  Mild to moderate tartness.  Mild acidity and tannins.  Hints of bitterness and funk.  No sourness.  Notes of yeast, honey, citrus, spice, and must.  Slightly rich.  Medium bodied.  Long warming finish.  Moderate apple flavor.  Mild to moderate sessionability.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed this, but I liked it better when I tried it at their tasting room.  Letting it breathe for a bit helped dissipate some of the harshness, but when I tried it previously I didn’t pick up the hints of bitterness, funk, and must.  Ciders can change batch to batch though.

Most Similar to:  Finnriver Farmstead Semi-Sweet.  Both are farmstead/homestead-style ciders on the sweeter side with significant tannins and honey & yeast notes.

Closing Notes:   I think my favorite from Eaglemount remains their Quince cider, although I also like this one and their Cyser.

Have you tried Eaglemount Homestead Semi-Sweet?  What did you think?