Review of Long Drop’s Vanilla Honey cider, from near Boise Idaho.  I tried this cider awhile back (see here), and thought I’d give it a full review.  I’ve also tried their Tanager Pear Cider, Derby Canyon, Semi-Sweet, and Electric Cherry.

Cider:  Vanilla Honey
Cidery:  Long Drop Cider Co.
Cidery Location:  Eagle ID
ABV:  6.0%
How Supplied:  four pack of 12oz cans
Style:  American craft cider with Madagascar Vanilla beans and Idaho honey

  

Availability:  throughout Idaho, and in Seattle WA & Portland OR

Cider Description:  none given, but it has Madagascar Vanilla beans and local Idaho honey

Apple Varieties: Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Granny Smith

Cidery Description:  We do cider right. We start with the best apples in the world – 100% Northwest grown fruit. We ferment the fruit with only the most carefully selected yeast strains preserved since prohibition, each designed to retain classic apple flavors and aromas. And then we skillfully blend our handcrafted ciders together into unique offerings. No high fructose corn syrup. No phony flavors, or colors. Just the best apples from on high, the ones that make the long drop.

Price:  $2.50 / single can
Where Bought:  Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  This is the first time I’ve seen single cans since trying it at the Schilling Cider House (see here).

First Impression:  Hazy dark straw yellow hue.  Nearly still.  Smells mild, of apple juice and honeycomb.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet.  Medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of honeycrisp & green apples, honeycomb, honey, and hints of vanilla.  Quick finish.  Moderate to high apple flavor.  High sessionability.  Low complexity.  Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  I’m a big fan of honey, and especially enjoyed the honeycomb flavor of this cider.  Its easy to drink, tasty, and not too sweet.

Most Similar to:  Finnriver Honey Meadow; it also has the awesome honeycomb notes.

Closing Notes:   I’m usually not a fan of sessionable cider, but I find this one keeps my interest.  Its my favorite from them so far.

Have you tried Longdrop Vanilla Honey?  What did you think?