Review of Kystin’s Opalyne, a Brut French cidre.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by French Cider Inc. / Beauchamp Imports.  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:  Opalyne
Cidery:  Kystin
Cidery Location:  Brittany France
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  330ml bottles
Style:  Breton French cidre from cider apples, Brut (dry)

 

Availability:  limited, imported by French Cider Inc.

Cider Description (translated):  This is our last born, after intense demand from our customers.  The Opalyne cuvée finally offers us a cider of haute couture with creamy foam.  Its composition of sweet fruit, sweet bitter make it a delight on the palate.  Let yourself be seduced and travel again in our history that is written day after day thanks to you.

Cidery Description:  Created in 2012, Kystin offers a range of original and very unique gourmet ciders, made of unusual ingredients such as chestnuts, pears and ginger. With a history dating back to the 14th century, Kystin ciders combine fruit, tradition and authenticity to create an unforgetabble taste. The brand recently released “Kalysie” – a pear ginger cider named as a tribute to the Khaleesi character from popular TV series Game of Thrones.

Price:  n/a (retails $6.99 / bottle)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  through French Cider Inc.

First Impression:  Light amber hue.  Low to moderate carbonation.  Smells apple and yeast forward.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied, with some fluffiness.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate acidity.  Low tannins.  No bitterness, sourness, or funk.  Notes of bittersweet apple juice and pomace, yeast, and orange.  Moderate length finish.  High apple flavor and sessionability.  Moderate flavor intensity and complexity.

My Opinion:  Great!  More complex than the average American cider, apple (but not apple juice) forward, full on flavor, and not too sweet.  Not quite as much of that fluffy texture that is common with French ciders, but a bit.  I’d love to see this available in a multipack, as this is a great every day selection.

Most Similar to:  a more refined version of Celt

Closing Notes:  This is French Cider Inc‘s first Brittany (vs. Normandy region) cidery.  I have two more ciders from them for review.

Have you tried French cidre?  What did you think?