Review of Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple, with pineapple and prickly pear juices.  I’ve tried this previously (see here).  I’ve also had their Reposado Pear, Raspberry, and Pear ciders.  They sent me a nice sampler of three ciders (plus a cool tote bag!), featuring new labels/packaging.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Wyder’s.  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:  Prickly Pineapple
Cidery:  Wyder’s (Vermont Cider Co.)
Cidery Location:  Middlebury VT (at the Woodchuck facility)
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz bottles
Style:  American commercial cider from dessert apples, with pineapple and prickly pear juices

 

Availability:  wide release (in 40 states), year round (they have a locator here)

Cider Description:  An exotic duet, this cider combines the juices from both prickly pear cacti and pineapples. Tickling the tongue, each sip brings forward a light and sweet taste like a refreshing pina colada. Satisfy those fruit forward senses with Wyder’s^® Prickly Pineapple.

Cidery Description:  We have specialized in eclectic fruit-forward ciders for more than two decades. It’s a pretty hyper-connected world out there, grab a Wyder’s when you’re ready to unplug. Wyder’s wants to be a part of you finding the good in life and your Happy Place. We hope you enjoy, and bring us along!

Price:  n/a (although it runs $9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Initially, I looked for it after reading about it on Facebook.  This time it just showed up.

First Impression:  Light straw yellow with a hint of green.  Low carbonation.  Smells of pineapple candy.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet to sweet.  Medium to full bodied.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, tannins, or funk.  Notes of pineapple, green apple, and a little something unique which I assume is the prickly pear juice (kinda like passion fruit?).  Quick finish.  High sessionabiliy.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate to high flavor intensity.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it, as its a bit unique, and nice and flavorful.  Definitely on the sweeter and commercial tasting end though.

Most Similar to:  Other sweeter pineapple flavored ciders, such as Schilling Trouble in Paradise (which has passion fruit), Ace Pineapple, and Jester & Judge Pineapple Express.

Random Thought:  Has anyone made a cider with coconut?  I bet pineapple coconut would be fun.

Have you tried Wyder’s Cider?  What did you think?