Review of Honest Abe Cider.  I received this as part of the January Double Cider box.  It is my first time trying their cider.  See this article on Honest Abe Cider.

cool octagonal bottle!

<This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Double Cider.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review cue, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

 

Cider:  Honest Abe Cider
Cidery Location:  Gardena CA
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  750ml flip-top bottles
Style:  American craft flagship cider made from dessert apples, with honey added

<info sheet from Double Cider>

Availability:  In California, and through their website (plus in the January Double Cider box)

Cider Description:  This award-willing cider is made with only locally-sourced ingredients.  Additionally, there are no added preservatives, colorings, or pasteurization, making Honest Abe Cider a real, artisanal, craft cider….Champagne yeast with a touch of golden Southern California honey.  Dry and crisp with a slight honey finish.

Cidery Description:  Honest Abe hard cider traces its roots back to old family traditions in parts of Kentucky where Prohibition era laws ban alcohol still to this day. Our cider was born of necessity and resourcefulness and carried on for generations by a passion for quality. The recipes are steeped in tradition and the tastes refined by the warm Southern California sunshine. Made with fresh and local ingredients and Honest values…just the way you want it to be.

Honest Abe Cider has a tasting room in Gardena CA.

Price:  n/a (but retails for $13.99)
Where Bought:  through Double Cider
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  through Double Cider

First Impression:  Hazy moderate pumpkin amber hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells of fresh unfiltered apple cider and honey.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet.  Medium bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  Hints of bitterness and tannins.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of unfiltered apple juice, honey, orange, and grapefruit.  High apple flavor, juice-like.  High sessionability.  Well-hidden ABV.  Moderate to high flavor intensity.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  This was a nice easy drinking cider which I imagine has wide appeal.  It would make a great introduction to craft cider as it is easy to drink (not tannic, sour, funky, etc) and on the sweeter end of the spectrum.  I enjoyed the apple juice and honey flavor.  I think this would make a good multi-pack cider.

Most Similar to:  Ciders which have unfiltered apple juice flavor and are sweeter, such as Downeast Original Blend and JK’s Scrumpy Orchard Gate (although not as sweet)

Closing Notes:  I look forward to trying the other selection from Double Cider, Ratel Cider Dry Hopped.

Have you tried Honest Abe cider?  What did you think?