Review of Finnegan Cider Semi-Dry.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Harvest Blend.

Cider:  Semi-Dry
Cidery:  Finnegan Cider
Cidery Location:  Lake Oswega OR
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles
Style: American orchard-based cider from cider apples, semi-dry

  

Availability:  Oregon, Washington, and California (per Cider Journal, as of 2015, although I have not seen them in the Seattle area), and appear to be distributed through Shelton Brothers

Cider Description:  Our semi-dry cider is fermented to near-dryness and uses a blend of authentic, old-world English, American, and French cider apples such as Yarlington Mill, Foxwhelp, Domaines, Roxbury Russet, and others.  Our cider is a balance of the crucial elements of distinguished cider:  tannin, acidity, and aromaticity.  Finnegan cider features aromas of honeysuckle, melon, and ripe apples, with flavors of peach, apricot, and cognac.  It pairs superbly from appetizer to entree.

Cidery Description: An artisan crafted hard cider using only traditional cider apples – Our commitment to a quality-cider experience.

Finnegan Cider has been around since 2010, and planted their own orchard in 2012.  The owners/cidermakers are Colleen Finnegan and Josh Johnson.  Here is a nice writeup from Beervana, who visited with Josh Johnson at their orchard.

Price:  $22
Where Bought:  The Jug Shop in San Francisco CA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

First Impression:  Light gold hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells of rich sweet caramelized apple.

Tasting Notes:  Dry to semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness.  High acidity.  Low tannins, bitterness, and funk.  Hints of sourness.  Notes of caramelized apple pomace, butterscotch, orange, lemon, and wood.  Moderate length finish.  Low apple flavor and sessionability.  Moderate flavor intensity.  Moderate to high complexity.

My Opinion:  I liked it, especially the flavor notes.  However, I would have preferred more sweetness and/or less tartness & acidity, as it was a bit harsh.

Most Similar to:  Wandering Aengus Wickson and Eve’s Scatterseed

Closing Notes:  I preferred their Harvest Blend, plus that one was much lower priced (although I bought them from different stores in different states, several years apart).

Have you tried Finnegan cider?  What did you think?