Review of Wandering Aengus Bloom.  I tried this awhile back, pre-blog.  I’ve also previously tried their Wickson, Wanderlust, Oaked Dry, Byrd, Golden Russet, Bittersweet, Wickson Barrel Aged, Cellar Door, and Pommeau.

Cider:  Bloom
Cidery:  Wandering Aengus
Cidery Location:  Salem Oregon
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles (and draft)
Style:  American craft cider from heirloom apples

  

Availability:  CA, ID, IL, IN, MI, MT, NJ, NM, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WA D.C.

Cider Description:  Orchards: Hood River, OR Sweet and fruit forward “hints of tropical fruit” Pairings: Spicy food or on its own.

Cidery Description:  At Wandering Aengus Ciderworks we press and blend over 20 cider apple varietals to craft our ciders. Our cider specific apples originate from France, England, and pre-prohibition America, but are grown now in Oregon. These heirloom varieties are essential for the depth of flavor, excellent body, and delightful aromatics of our distinctive ciders. All our ciders are always GLUTEN FREE.

They have a tasting room in Salem Oregon open on Fridays.

Price:  ~$8.99
Where Bought:  I forgot
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I tried it previously

First Impression:  Medium straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells mild and apple-forward.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet.  Medium bodied.  Low tartness.  Moderate acidity.  Hints of tannins and bitterness.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of honey, peach, pineapple, green apple, and mineral.  Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  This is a tasty cider.  It is a nice introduction to craft cider as it is on the sweeter and easy drinking end (not sour or funky for example).  I liked the honey and fruit notes.

Most Similar to:  Bertolinos Hard Cider and Honeywood Hard Apple Cider

Closing Notes:  This is one of my favorite Wandering Aengus ciders, as it is more approachable and less bitter than many of their other ciders.  I’m also a big fan of their Bittersweet cider, and their Pommeau is also amazing.

Have you tried Wandering Aengus Bloom?  What did you think?