Review of Far West Cider’s Proper Dry.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their San Joaquin Sparkler and Orchard Blend No. 1.  I got this bottle through Press Then Press, a new online cider store focusing on small batch ciders.  They had a soft launch Aug 19, and will officially launch Sept 9 2019.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Press Then Press.  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:  Proper Dry
Cidery:  Far West Cider Co.
Cidery Location:  Richmond CA
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles
Style:  American craft cider, dry

   

Availability:  only through Press Then Press (which ships to 43/50 states), unless you happen to be at a specific store in California

Distributor Description:  Don’t taste the same, taste the difference!  Press Then Press – Farm to you small batch cider.  We focus on small batch and hard to find cider.  Please visit our curated online store!  We are a mom and pop who wanted more fine cider available to everyone (over 21), so we started this up.  Press Then Press will email you when a fine cider is available for purchase.  If you want it, visit our site and purchase it!  Pick up your cider in Seattle, or we ship to you.  Sign up with your email to be included on future available ciders.  You will hear about it first!  1)Press the fruit  then  2) Press the order button

Cider Description:  Our Proper Dry cider uses a mixed blend of apples from our orchards with an emphasis on the crisp and clean acidity that gives most tart apples their zing. This blend packs a whole bunch of fruit on the nose while keeping a crispy clean and fully dry finish on the palate. We think it pairs well with your favorite fish on a dish, mornings on the sundeck, and trying hard, but not too hard.

Cidery Description:  Californian ciders from a 4th generation family farm in San Joaquin County.

Price:  $15
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found: through Press Then Press

First Impression:  Light straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells of crisp citrus.

Tasting Notes:  Dry.  Low carbonation.  High tartness and acidity.  Hints of bitterness and tannins.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of lemon, green apple, and mineral.  Long tart finish.  Low apple flavor and complexity.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.  Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion:  This was a bit too tart and dry for my personal liking.  However, it had a nice flavor profile, similar to the Greenwood Dry I tried at the same time.  I’d recommend this to folks who like tart dry ciders, and even champagne lovers, as although this is lower carbonation, the flavor profile reminded me of champagne.

Most Similar to:  a tart version of Bauman’s Dry, Seattle Cider Dry, or Original Sin Extra Dry

Closing Notes:  I look forward to trying the other ciders in Press Then Press‘ introductory lineup.  Their website is well laid out and informative, making the order process easy, and providing access to unique ciders which otherwise wouldn’t be available to most folks.

Have you tried Far West Cider?  What did you think?