Review of the OR/WA Cider Collective’s Wild Plum cider.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery, or even hearing of them.

Cider:  Wild Plum
Cidery:  OR/WA Cider Collective
Cidery Location:  Milwaukee OR
ABV:  6.4%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles
Style:  craft cider from heirloom apples (80%) with wild plums (20%)

  

Availability:  Only in Oregon

Cider Description:  80% heirloom apples from old growth, 20% wild plum

Cidery Description:  The Oregon\Washington Cider Collective is a community of uncompromising American cider makers. We’re foraging the nation for the last remaining cider trees prohibition couldn’t kill. Our mission is to plant orchards of historical apple trees in the Pacific Northwest and bring back the finest USA-made cider since prohibition.

Price:  $14
Where Bought:  Bushwhacker Cider in Portland OR
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I had never heard of this cidery before.

First Impression:  Dark straw yellow hue.  Still (no carbonation).  Smells acidic and of heirloom apples.

Tasting Notes:  Dry.  Moderate tartness.  High acidity.  Low bitterness, tannins, sourness, and funk.  Notes of lemon, grapefruit, honey, stone fruit, and mineral.  Moderate to long finish.  Low apple flavor.  Low sessionability.  Moderate complexity.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  Definitely not what I was expecting.  I actually didn’t taste any plum, just a hint of apricot / peach.  With the sourness and funk, I’d guess it was made with wild yeast.  If you are into farmhouse-style ciders and such, then I’d recommend it.  However, this isn’t a style of cider I enjoy (yet).

Most Similar to:  Rustic & farmhouse-style ciders and Spanish Sidra and the like

Closing Notes:  This was at a nice price point, especially for a small batch / limited release (hand-labeled!).  I’d be interested in trying something else from them in the future.

ADDED – Additional Info from the Cidery:  OR/WA commented on my Facebook post that this was a very limited bottle release (only half a case!?), the cider portion was farmhouse-style, and that Bushwhacker in Portland is the best place to find their small batch ciders (including some on tap).  Very cool.

Have you tried anything from OR/WA Cider Collective?  What did you think?