Review of Schilling’s new seasonal release, Bailout, made with lemongrass and agave nectar.  I’ve tried a number of their ciders; see here.

Cider:  Bailout
Cidery:  Schilling Cider
Cidery Location:  Auburn (Seattle) WA
ABV:  6.0%
How Supplied:  22oz clear glass bottles and kegs
Style:  American craft cider made from dessert apples, with lemongrass and agave nectar

  

Availability:  May-August (seasonal, although this is the first year).  Schilling Cider is sold at least in AK, AZ, CA, CT, ID, MN, NC, NV, OR, SC, VA, and WA, but this is a special release and is therefore likely to have more limited distribution.

Cider Description:  Sometimes you just need to Bail Out! This summer chiller is highly refreshing and perfectly balanced with subtle herbal notes and a kiss of agave nectar.

Cidery Description:  In 1881, Colin Schilling’s great-great-grandfather, August, founded the Schilling Spice Company in San Francisco. He brought pure, natural, spices to everyone, at a fair price. Today, at Schilling Cider, we carry August’s core values forward and pair them with innovative cider-making techniques to produce quality, complex, hard ciders.

Based in Seattle, Washington, Schilling Cider captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest by creating ciders that are deliberately innovative, bold and flavor forward. Never back-sweetened, we use only 100% fresh pressed apples, locally sourced non-GMO ingredients and individually hand select yeast strains to create a cider experience that is truly unique.

Price:  $6
Where Bought:  Schilling Cider House in Fremont (Seattle) WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing

First Impression:  Medium straw yellow hue.  Almost no carbonation upon pouring.  Smells mild, of apple, citrus, and what I assume is agave nectar (a tart sweetness).

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet to semi-dry.  Still.  Light to medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No sourness, bitterness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of lemon, agave nectar, pineapple, and a bit of herbalness.  Quick finish.  Low flavor intensity.  Low apple flavor.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked this cider, but didn’t love it.  I prefer a bit more intense of a flavor.  Also not sure if I liked the slight herbal flavor.

Most Similar to:  Light spring/summer type ciders with citrus notes.  I looked it up online and see that Two Rivers also offers an agave cider.

Closing Notes:   I imagine this will sell well, but I prefer their Pineapple Passion / Trouble in Paradise (which is coming out in bottles very soon).

Have you tried any ciders from Schilling?  What did you think?