Review of Virtue Cider’s The Mitten.  I’ve tried this cider twice previously (see review #1 and review #2), but in a 750ml bottle.  Virtue’s most popular cider is now available in a four pack of 12oz bottles (along with Michigan Brut and Michigan Harvest; see this press release).  I’ve also previously tried their Cherry Mitten and Lapinette.

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

  

Cider:  The Mitten
Cidery:  Virtue Cider
Cidery Location:  Fennville MI
ABV:  6.8%
How Supplied:  four pack of 12oz bottles (and 750ml bottles and kegs)
Style:  American craft cider from Michigan apples, bourbon barrel aged

 

Availability:  Year round in DE, GA, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, WA, and WI, per this list

Cider Description:  The Mitten, which was first released in 2013, is made with cider from 100% Michigan apples that has been aged for 11 months in 200 bourbon barrels from Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, and Heaven Hill.  We taste through each and every barrel before we move to final blending.  The aged cider is then blended together with juice from freshly pressed apples from this year’s harvest for a touch of sweetness.  The result is a 6.8% ABV semi-dry cider that shows off a balanced blend of charred bourbon and high-acid apple flavors.  Pronounced notes of vanilla and wood mingle with overripe apple, and maple flavors create a farm feel.

More info here.

Cidery Description:  Virtue Cider is a Michigan-based craft cider company.  We produce European-style ciders from fresh apples – never from concentrate – and employ traditional farmhouse production methods that include native and secondary fermentation, use of wild yeasts, and an expansive barrel aging program.

They have a tasting room in Fennville Michigan; see here.

Price:  n/a (retails for $13.99)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  the cidery’s press release

First Impression:  Medium straw yellow hue.  Nearly still (very low carbonation).  Smells mild, of honey and oak.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Low tartness.  Low to moderate acidity.  Hints of bitterness and tannins.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of honey, lemon, oak, bourbon, vanilla, and white grape.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate sessionability.  Low oak/barrel influence.  Low spirit/bourbon influence.  Moderate flavor intensity.  Moderate complexity.

My Opinion:  I’m a fan!  This also seemed less harsh than the previous versions – my favorite so far.  Usually I prefer a really intense cider, but for this one, I preferred it less so.  This is a more sessionable barrel aged cider, which is nice.

Most Similar to:  2 Towns The Bad Apple and Big B’s Grizzly Brand Bourbon Barrel Aged

Closing Notes:  I think this will be a hit.  It is a great deal too, at less than half the price per ounce vs. the 750ml bottle prices I’ve seen.

Have you tried Virtue The Mitten?  What did you think?