Review of Wyder’s Raspberry cider (previously “Dry Raspberry”).  I’ve tried this before (see here).  I’ve also had their Reposado Pear, Prickly Pineapple, 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:  Raspberry
Cidery:  Wyder’s Cider (Vermont Cider Co.
Cidery Location:  Middlebury VT (at the Woodchuck cidery)
ABV:  4.0%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz bottles (and 22oz bottles)
Style:  American commercial cider with raspberries

 

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

Cider Description:  This cider is light in body and features mouthwatering raspberry notes. It retains a dry and sparkling finish.

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, browsing, although this time it just showed up.

First Impression:  Light pink hue.  Nearly still.  Smells of mild slightly-candied raspberry.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry to semi-sweet.  Light bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  The flavor notes are just raspberry, maybe with hints of lemon & floral.  Quick finish.  Low complexity, flavor intensity, and apple flavor.  High sessionability (as expected at only 4% ABV).

My Opinion:  I thought it was pretty average, definitely commercial tasting.  The flavor was very light and it seemed a bit watered down tasting.  I liked that it wasn’t syrupy sweet though.  It was refreshing and easy to drink.  I almost thought this was a perry wih the flavor profile (especially as Wyder’s makes a couple pear ciders), but the ingredient list said “hard cider”, so I assume it is from apples.

Most Similar to:  Woodchuck’s Raspberry cider, which is also only 4% ABV, although slightly sweeter.

Closing Notes:  My favorite raspberry ciders remain Schilling Raspberry Smoothie and One Tree Raspberry.  Both were very full-bodied, literally smoothie thickness, and quite sweet, but very very flavorful.  I also really enjoy Pear UP’s Raspberry Perry (from pears not apples).

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