Sky River Cherry Vanilla Honey Wine (Mead)

Today I don’t have a cider to review, but a mead, Sky River’s Cherry Vanilla Honey Wine.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had most of their lineup (see my trip report here from when I visited their meadery tasting room).

Photo Apr 12, 5 05 39 PM

Mead:  Cherry Vanilla Honey Wine
Meadery:  Sky River
Location:  Redmond WA
ABV:  12%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles
Style:  American craft mead (honey wine), with cherries and vanilla

Photo Apr 12, 5 06 00 PM Photo Apr 12, 5 06 13 PM

Availability:  U.S. (Washington, California, Alaska, Idaho, Louisiana, & Pennsylvania), Japan, and Sweden, plus online sales

Mead Description:  The downy snow of blossom laden cherry trees.  The harbinger of spring.  Awakening the honey bees, and bringing the promise of new life.  With the blossoms come the tantalizing dreams of the promised lush cherries to come, and sumptuous days of sunshine.  Sky River Cherry Vanilla Mead reunites the honey and cherries.  Warm Honey and rich, dark Cherry, wedded with lush Vanilla bean  Enjoy with freshly grilled steaks, salmon, or even with your favorite custard.

Meadery Description:  From ancient cultures on distant shores, shrouded in mist, Sky River brings the age-old art of making mead into the twenty-first century to create a new tradition. 

Price:  $21
Where Bought:  a tasting event
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  a tasting event

Photo Apr 12, 5 09 06 PM

First Impression:  Dark cherry hue.  Still.  Smells of sweet cherry wine.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry to semi-sweet.  Light to medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of cherry with hints of honey & floral, then a moderate length vanilla finish.  Low honey flavor.  Moderate cherry flavor, sessionability, overall flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it.  Nice flavor, of real cherry.  I would have liked a bit more vanilla.  Definitely not honey-forward though.

Most Similar to:  A more real-tasting, more complex, and drier version of Eaglemount Cherry Mead.  I’ve also had d’s cherry vanilla cider, with awesome flavor, similarly not apple-forward, but it is quite sweet.

Closing Notes:  Mead is a nice complimentary option to cider.

Have you tried mead?  What did you think?

2 Towns Two Thorns

Review of 2 Towns Two Thorns.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had most of their line-up (see here).

Photo Mar 30, 2 53 54 PM.jpg

<This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by 2 Towns.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  Two Thorns
Cidery:  2 Towns
Cidery Location:  Corvallis OR
ABV:  5.5%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles (and cans and kegs)
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples, with raspberries and rose petals

Photo Mar 30, 2 59 57 PM Photo Mar 30, 3 00 10 PM Photo Mar 30, 3 00 18 PM

Availability:  Spring seasonal, possibly in Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, Idaho, Hawaii, Chicago, and parts of Minnesota & Montana (see their cider finder)

Cider Description:  Tart and floral, Two Thorns unites fresh-pressed Northwest apples, raspberries and rose petals. The result is a uniquely fragrant cider with a vibrant red hue.

Cidery Description:  At 2 Towns Ciderhouse we believe that the long history of cidermaking demands respect and deserves to be done right. Starting with the highest quality whole ingredients from local farms, we take no shortcuts in crafting our ciders. We never add any sugar, concentrates or artificial flavors, and instead use slow, cold fermentation methods to allow the fruit to speak for itself. As a family-owned company, we are committed to the growth of our team and enrichment of our communities. We take pride in producing true Northwest craft cider. 

Price:  n/a (probably ~ $5.99 / 500ml bottle or ~ $11.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

Photo Mar 30, 3 03 22 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Moderate red hue.  Still.  Smells of tart raspberry.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate to strong tartness.  Moderate acidity.  No sourness, funk, bitterness, or tannins.  Notes of raspberry with hints of green apple, floral, and lemon.  Moderate tart finish.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate flavor intensity.  Low to moderate complex.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked it.  Nice tart raspberry flavor, and super fruity for how dry it is (only 6g of sugar / 12oz).

Most Similar to:  Most raspberry ciders I’ve had were much more sweet.  However, this is most similar to a lower ABV version of Blue Moon Winery Apple Raspberry, which was also tart and dry.

Closing Notes:  They had a previous cider with this same flavor and name which was only available in downtown Portland Oregon, a collaboration with the Portland Thorns women’s soccer team.

Have you tried 2 Towns Two Thorns?  What did you think?

Portland Cider Pineapple Rosé

Review of Portland Cider’s Pineapple Rosé.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had much of their line-up (see here).

>>This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Portland Cider.  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:  Pineapple Rosé
Cidery:  Portland Cider Company
Cidery Location:  Portland Oregon
ABV:  5.2%
How Supplied:  12oz cans (and draft, plus 19.2oz cans are coming in mid-April)
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples, with pineapple and blueberry

Photo Mar 24, 5 39 56 PM Photo Mar 24, 5 40 06 PM Photo Mar 24, 5 40 18 PM

Availability:  seasonal, March thru August 2019, in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California

Cider Description:  The juicy and delicate pineapple fruit works beautifully with a hint of blueberry juice, creating an elegant cider on par with the rosé wine that so many love.

Cidery Description:  Portland Cider Company was started in October 2012 by an Oregonian and a family of British expats with the mission of bringing cider, handcrafted in the English tradition, to the Northwest. It has two taproom locations: Portland Cider House at 3638 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; and Taproom & Cidery at 8925 SE Jannsen Rd, Bldg. F, Clackamas, OR 97015.  Visit www.PortlandCider.com and follow @PortlandCider on social media.

Price:  n/a (although it’ll probably run ~ $10.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

Photo Mar 24, 5 39 40 PM

First Impression:  Smells sweet and fruity.  Very low carbonation.  Hint of peach hue.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry to semi-sweet.  Medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of pineapple with hints of green apple and strawberry (I didn’t really pick up any blueberry).  Quick finish.  Low apple flavor and complexity.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked it.  Significantly more pineapple than berry.  Super easy to drink.  I was surprised to see the can say 20 grams of sugar, as it tasted less sweet (although the body was what I’d expect for that level of sweetness).  It was a bit less intensely flavored than I prefer and I’d expect with a sweeter cider.

Most Similar to:  a sweeter but less intensely flavored version of 2 Towns Pacific Pineapple plus a hint of strawberry

Closing Notes:  Rosé sure is the hottest cider trend – seems like nearly every cidery has one now.  On that note, I’m surprised they didn’t add a bit more blueberry if they were trying to go for a rosé look, as it was barely rosé.

Have you tried Portland Cider Pineapple Rosé?  What did you think?

2 Towns Easy Squeezy

Review of 2 Towns Easy Squeezy, a new year-round lemon raspberry cider, a spin on their previous limited release Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had most of their lineup (see here).

Photo Mar 17, 6 02 08 PM.jpg

<This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by 2 Towns.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  Easy Squeezy
Cidery:  2 Towns
Cidery Location:  Corvallis OR
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles (and 6 packs of 12oz cans, and kegs)
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples with lemon and raspberry

Photo Mar 17, 6 02 37 PM Photo Mar 17, 6 02 48 PM Photo Mar 17, 6 02 57 PM

Availability:  year round, starting in Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, Idaho, Hawaii, Chicago, and parts of Minnesota & Montana (see their cider finder)

Cider Description:  Citrusy and refreshing, Easy Squeezy is crafted with fresh-pressed Northwest apples, Meyer lemons and raspberries. Bringing the pink lemonade vibes, this cider goes down easy peasy!

Cidery Description:  At 2 Towns Ciderhouse we believe that the long history of cidermaking demands respect and deserves to be done right. Starting with the highest quality whole ingredients from local farms, we take no shortcuts in crafting our ciders. We never add any sugar, concentrates or artificial flavors, and instead use slow, cold fermentation methods to allow the fruit to speak for itself. As a family-owned company, we are committed to the growth of our team and enrichment of our communities. We take pride in producing true Northwest craft cider. 

They were founded in 2010 and have a tap room in Corvallis Oregon.

Price:  retails for ~ $5.99 / 500ml bottle or ~ $11.99 / six pack
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  n/a

Photo Mar 17, 6 03 59 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Hazy pink lemonade hue.  Still.  Smells of tart lemonade.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate to high tartness and acidity.  No tannins, sourness, tannins, or funk.  Notes of lemon, raspberry, granny smith apples, and grapefruit.  Quick finish.  Low apple flavor.  Low to moderate complexity.  Moderate flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I really liked this.  A bit less mouth-puckering tart than the previous release.

Most Similar to:  an alcoholic version of a less sweet than normal raspberry lemonade

Closing Notes:  Glad to see they are doing this in cans in time for spring and summer!

Have you tried 2 Towns Easy Peasy?  What did you think?

Tieton Organic

Review of Tieton Cider Works Organic Hard Cider.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Cidermaker’s Reserve, Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind (Pommeau), Wild Washington, Cherry, Blossom Nectar, Sparkling PerryCranberryBourbon PeachFrost (ice cider), Spice RouteRussian RedLavender Honey, and Oak Barrel Aged Cider Summit Collaboration.

Cider:  Organic Hard Cider
Cidery:  Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location:  Yakima WA
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz cans
Style:  American Organic craft cider

Photo Mar 10, 6 13 11 PM Photo Mar 10, 6 13 20 PM Photo Mar 10, 6 13 32 PM

Availability:  probably only in the Northwest

Cider Description:  Dry and Crisp, made with 100% organic apples. Growing the fruit organically combines our farming tradition with being good stewards of the land we call home. This organic cider represents our heritage, the care that goes into the land and trees that produce it. It’s slightly tart but well balanced with a fruity nose.

Cidery Description:  From our orchards to your glass, TCW controls every aspect of the growing and cidermaking process. TCW boasts the largest orchard of cider apple varieties in Washington state and the largest Perry pear orchard in the United States. We blend our cider fruit with all Washington apples. We’ve been growing apples, apricots, cherries and pears on Harmony Orchards – our family farm – since the 1930’s and are thrilled to be involved in Re:interpreting the tradition of cider making.

Price:  ~$3 / can (runs ~ $9.99-11.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing; I had seen this before, but not singles

Photo Mar 10, 6 12 56 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Light amber hue.  Still.  Smells dry and apple-forward.

Tasting Notes:  Dry to semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  Hints of tannins.  No bitterness, sourness, or funk.  Notes of purely apple and apple juice with a hint of richness.  Quick finish.  High sessionability.  Low flavor intensity and complexity.  Moderate apple flavor.

My Opinion:  I thought this was quite average.  Plenty drinkable and a nice relatively easy to find in the NW drier cider option, but a tad bland, probably primarily due to the dryness and it presumably being at least mostly made from dessert apples, without any fruit/hops/spices/etc added.

Most Similar to:  a drier plain apple flagship cider

Closing Notes:  I was surprised to see Tieton start canning ciders, as I assumed they would keep that for their Rambling Route brand.

Have you tried Tieton Organic Apple?  What did you think?

Seattle Cider Pineapple Agave

Review of Seattle Cider’s Pineapple Agave.  It is my first time trying this new seasonal release, but I’ve previously had their Semi-Sweet, PNW Berry, Olympic HoneyPlum GoseOaked MapleHarvest Series Gravenstein RoséGoseDryGin BotanicalCity FruitHeirloomLavender LemonCucumber HibiscusCity FruitNew England Style2015 Washington HeirloomWinesap Rose, and Red Wine Barrel Berry.

>>This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Seattle Cider.  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:  Pineapple Agave
Cidery:  Seattle Cider Co.
Cidery Location:  Seattle WA
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  16oz can
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples, with pineapple juice and agave nectar

Photo Mar 09, 5 45 36 PM Photo Mar 09, 5 46 03 PM Photo Mar 09, 5 45 44 PM

Availability:  seasonally, starting in Washington and Colorado

Cider Description:  Fresh pressed Washington apples, pineapple juice, and agave nectar come together to create Seattle Cider Company’s newest seasonal release.Pineapple Agave, 6.5% ABV and 1.8 Brix, boasts ripe and juicy pineapple aroma, soft tartness, and the subtle tropical sweetness of agave for a perfectly balanced and bright addition to the Seattle Cider lineup.

Cidery Description:  Not your standard cider. Seattle Cider Company bridges the gap between wine and beer with flavorful, small-batch cider, bringing true craft cider back to Seattle and across the country. Seattle Cider Company’s year-round and seasonal offerings break the mold of overly sweet cider, showcasing the incomparable flavor of Washington apples. Naturally gluten free and made from a custom blend of fresh pressed, locally grown apples, Seattle Cider Company’s products are handcrafted with all natural ingredients and never from concentrate. Seattle Cider products are currently available throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nevada, Missouri, Massachusetts, Colorado, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Montana. Visit our tasting room, The Woods, at 4660 Ohio Ave. S. in Seattle. For more information, visit seattlecidercompany.com, or follow Seattle Cider Company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@seattleciderco).    

Price:  n/a (probably retails for ~ $10.99-$11.99 / four pack)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  cidery press release

Photo Mar 09, 5 45 22 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Light straw yellow hue.  Nearly still.  Smells mild, of tart pineapple.

Tasting Notes:  On the drier side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of pineapple, green apple, and lemon.  Quick finish.  Low apple flavor and complexity.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.  Moderate to high sessionability.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it, although I would have preferred a bit more flavor and sweetness.

Most Similar to:  I’ve tried over a dozen pineapple ciders, and I think this is closest to Apple Outlaw Pineapple Getaway, Portland Cider Co. Pineapple, or a slightly drier version of 2 Towns Pineapple

Closing Notes:  This is one of my favorite varieties from Seattle Cider, in addition to the Oaked Maple and Olympic Honey, which are some of their sweeter selections, although in general I’m not personally a big fan of their ciders as they run drier with a lower flavor intensity.  I’d recommend their ciders for folks who like dry to semi-dry modern ciders.

Have you tried Seattle Cider Pineapple Agave?  What did you think?

2 Towns Boysenbarrel

Review of 2 Towns Boysenbarrel, a barrel aged boysenberry cider.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had most of their lineup (see here).

Photo Feb 24, 5 09 00 PM.jpg

Cider:  Boysenbarrel
Cidery:  2 Towns
Cidery Location:  Corvallis Oregon
ABV:  8.0%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles
Style:  American craft with from dessert apples with boysenberries, barrel aged

Photo Feb 24, 5 09 14 PM Photo Feb 24, 5 09 27 PM Photo Feb 24, 5 10 31 PM

Availability:  seasonal (winter), in some states (see their cider finder), plus online sales

Cider Description:  Tart and complex, Boysenbarrel is packed with Pacific Northwest grown boysenberries. Aged on heavy toasted French oak for a strong tannic backbone, this rich and tangy berry treat is perfect for the winter season.

Cidery Description:  At 2 Towns Ciderhouse we believe that the long history of cidermaking demands respect and deserves to be done right. Starting with the highest quality whole ingredients from local farms, we take no shortcuts in crafting our ciders. We never add any sugar, concentrates or artificial flavors, and instead use slow, cold fermentation methods to allow the fruit to speak for itself. As a family-owned company, we are committed to the growth of our team and enrichment of our communities. We take pride in producing true Northwest craft cider.

Price:  $6.99
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I first read about it online

Photo Feb 24, 5 12 19 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Purple-red hue.  Nearly still (very low carbonation).  Smells of tart berry.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  Low tannins.  Hints of bitterness.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of berry with hints of lemon and green apple.  Long tannic oaky red wine finish (although I’m guessing the red wine flavor was just tannic berry + oak barrel, as they didn’t specify red wine barrels were used).  Low apple flavor and barrel influence.  Moderate flavor intensity, complexity, and sessionability,

My Opinion:  I liked it.  However, it was a bit too red wine-like for me.

Most Similar to:  a non-sour version of 2 Towns Traditions La Mure (marion blackberry cider aged in red wine barrels), and Seattle Cider Red Wine Barrel Berry

Closing Notes:  I’d recommend this for folks of berry and barrel aged ciders, especially wine lovers.

Have you tried 2 Towns Boysenbarrel?  What did you think?

Stoked Blue Palm

Review of Stoked Blue Palm, a blueberry-pineapple hopped cider.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

Cider:  Blue Palm
Cidery:  Stoked Cider
Cidery Location:  Westlake Village CA (although I’m guessing that is their office, as the can said Stevenson WA, so they probably use a co-packer in apple country)
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  16oz cans
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples w/ Mosaic hops, blueberry, & pineapple

Photo Feb 22, 5 16 29 PM Photo Feb 22, 5 16 40 PM Photo Feb 22, 5 16 51 PM

Availability:  limited, likely only in CA, plus  online sales

Cider Description:  HOP ON THIS CIDER WHALE AND CRUISE YOUR WAY TO FLAVOR ISLAND.  THIS IS A JUICY HOP MONSTER, REFRESHINGLY DRY WITH A BURST OF TROPICAL FRUIT AND FRAGRANT WEST COAST HOPS.WE CRAFTED THIS CIDER FOR BIKINI BABES, BIG WAVE SURFERS, AND HOP HEADS WHO ENJOY A HEALTHIER BUZZ. DRY HOPPED WITH MOSAIC HOPS, THEN BLENDED WITH FRESH BLUEBERRIES AND PINEAPPLES. DIVE RIGHT IN AND GET YOUR HAIR WET, THEN STICK YOUR FEET IN THE SAND AND SIP ’TIL YOU SWAY LIKE A LAZY PALM BENDING WITH THE SEA BREEZE

Cidery Description:  WELCOME TO THE MOST CRUSHABLE CRAFT CIDER ON THE PLANET. WE ARE ALL ABOUT OUR BLENDS, ALWAYS MADE USING FRESH PRESSED JUICE AND NEVER TOO SWEET. WE MAKE CIDER FOR THE WEST COASTER, BRINGING YOU A HEALTHIER BUZZ.  6.9% ABV. 3 GRAMS OF SUGAR. UNFILTERED.  TOTALLY.

Price:  $3.99 / single can
Where Bought:  The Jug Shop in San Francisco CA on a cruise port stop in fall 2018
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

Photo Feb 22, 5 16 12 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Light pink-orange hue. Low carbonation.  Smells hopped and fruity.

Tasting Notes:  On the drier side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Low to moderate tartness and acidity.  Low bitterness.  No sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of hops, watermelon, pineapple, and lemon.  Long bitter hoppy finish.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion:  I thought this was pretty ok.  I had no problem finishing it, but its not really my sort of thing (a bit too dry and bitter).  It had a bit of complexity and had a good deal of flavor & fruitiness, which was nice to see.

Most Similar to:  other drier fruity hopped ciders like ^5 Strawbasaurus (strawberry hopped), Incline Cider Scout (hopped marionberry), or Swift Pineapple Hop (although in this category my favorite is probably 2 Towns Hop & Stalk, although oddly enough I wouldn’t say I like either hops or rhubarb)

Closing Notes: Surprisingly I got more watermelon than blueberry flavor from it, maybe due to the combination of flavors going on.

Have you tried Stoked Blue Palm?  What did you think?

Woodchuck Tank Series Belgian White

Review of Woodchuck Tank Series Belgian White.  They made this years ago, it went on hiatus, then they re-released it recently for a limited run.  I previously tried this pre-blog, plus I’ve had most of Woodchuck’s line-up (see here).

>>This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Woodchuck.  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:  Tank Series, Belgian White
Cidery:  Woodchuck
Cidery Location:  Middlebury VT
ABV:  5.5%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz cans
Style:  American commercial cider from dessert apples, with Belgian beer yeast

Photo Feb 15, 6 35 37 PM Photo Feb 15, 6 35 55 PM Photo Feb 15, 6 35 46 PM

Availability:  semi wide release

Cider Description:  Crafted with a classic Belgian beer yeast, cloudy with a rich, golden huge, it presents a delicate aroma and taste, with coriander and orange notes.

Cidery Description:  Vermont Cider Company is a leading hard cider maker in the United States, with a state of the art cidery located in Middlebury, Vermont. Vermont Cider Company crafts a variety of ciders fora variety of consumers. There’s ultra-craft Vermont Cider Co., iconic Woodchuck, fruit-forward Wyder’s as well as the classic Magners Irish Cider and Blackthorn, rounding out our import offerings. Vermont Cider Company reinvigorated American hard cider in 1991, with the launch of Woodchuck, and stays focused on the category today through our commitment to crafting innovative and refreshing hard ciders. 

Price:  n/a (retails for $8.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

Photo Feb 15, 6 35 24 PM

First Impression:  Smells of orange with a hint of apple.  Hazy light orange brown hue.  Still (no carbonation).

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No sourness, bitterness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of apple juice, orange, and yeast.  Moderate length finish.  Moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity.  High sessionability.  Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion:  Yum!  I really enjoyed it.  It actually tastes different than their other ciders, which all seem kinda similar to me.

Most Similar to:  It almost reminded me of a still French cider with orange.

Closing Notes:  This is one of my favorite Woodchuck special releases.

Have you tried Woodchuck Belgian White?  What did you think?

Original Sin Elderberry

Review of Original Sin Elderberry cider.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Cherry Tree, PearNorthern Spy, and Extra Dry

Cider:  Elderberry
Cidery:  Original Sin
Cidery Location:  New York NY
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  multipack of 12oz cans
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples with elderberries

Photo Feb 10, 5 37 23 PM Photo Feb 10, 5 37 43 PM Photo Feb 10, 5 37 34 PM

Availability:  semi wide release

Cider Description:  A balanced cider combining the natural acid and sugar of apples with the tart qualities of elderberries.  Elderberries have been adding flare to hard cider for centuries.  In fact, the 1822 book The American Orchardist suggests adding Elderberries to give cider “a fine colour as well as flavour.” Original Sin brings back this brilliant tradition with our new Elderberry Cider.

Cidery Description: Established in 1996, Original Sin is one of the original modern-day U.S. cider companies. With a mere $5,000 in funding, founder Gidon Coll began making cider in Upstate New York and spent two years going bar to bar in New York City to develop his early market base. Today, Original Sin is still 100% independent and now distributed in 32 U.S. States, The United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Japan.

Original Sin started a New York State test orchard five years ago, which now features over 100 rare, cider and contemporary apple varieties. Each year, the company adds interesting and historically significant varieties to the Original Sin orchard’s genetic pool.

Price:  ~ $3 / can
Where Bought:  The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

Photo Feb 10, 5 37 10 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Medium purple-red hue.  Smells of tart berry.  Very low carbonation.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of berry with hints of cranberry & pomegranate.  Moderate length finish.  Low apple flavor.  Low complexity.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I thought this was average.  Plenty drinkable, but it didn’t really stand out.

Most Similar to:  any other semi-dry berry cider

Photo Feb 10, 5 40 06 PM.jpg

Closing Notes:  I also bought a can of Locust Vanilla Bean and mixed them together.  That one was a bit of an off can, less flavorful and sweet than usual, but its a nice mix.

Have you tried Original Sin Elderberry?  What did you think?

Vizo Elderflower

Review of Vizo’s Organic Elderflower cider.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Green Apple variety.

Photo Feb 08, 8 33 30 PM.jpg

Cider:  Elderflower
Cidery:  Vizo Organic Apple Cider
Cidery Location:  Denmark
ABV:  4.8%
How Supplied:  11.2oz bottles
Style:  organic craft cider from Denmark, from unknown apple varieties, with elderflower extract

Photo Feb 08, 8 33 38 PM Photo Feb 08, 8 33 48 PM

Availability:  limited, plus online sales

Cider Description:  The aroma of our cider is intense, fresh and with a slightly floral background. Vizo Organic Hard Cider perfectly combines sweet and tart apples in order to enrich the flavor, leaving a pleasant, fruity and  refreshing aftertaste. Made from Danish organic apples with just the right touch of elder-flower, forest fruits or green apple flavor. It is a seamless amalgam of flavors, with no sugar or additives, resulting in a 100% natural drink a craft cider like no other.

Cidery Description:  The aroma of our cider is intense, fresh and with a slightly floral background. Vizo Organic Hard Cider perfectly combines sweet and tart apples in order to enrich the flavor, leaving a pleasant, fruity and  refreshing aftertaste. Made from Danish organic apples with just the right touch of elder-flower, forest fruits or green apple flavor. It is a seamless amalgam of flavors, with no sugar or additives, resulting in a 100% natural drink a craft cider like no other.

Price:  ~ $4.50 / 1 bottle
Where Bought:  a natural grocery store in Northern California
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

Photo Feb 08, 8 35 05 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Light caramel hue.  Very low carbonation.  Smells of sweet apple juice.

Tasting Notes:  Sweet.  Medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of rich sweet caramelized apple juice and a hint of honey.  Quick finish.  Moderate apple flavor.  Moderate to high flavor intensity.  High sessionability.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  I liked it, although it was a bit too sweet for my liking.  Same as the first one I tried from them, the color confuses me.  This was quite similar in flavor to the first one too, just a tad less tart, and with a hint of honey (I didn’t pick up any floral notes)

Most Similar to:  Woodchuck Barrel Select but without the barrel & bourbon flavor, Locust New England Amber but sweeter and less complex, Locust Sweet Aged Apple with more caramel than honey & brown sugar, or Spire Dark & Dry but more caramel then molasses and no malt

Closing Notes:  I also picked up Vizo’s ‘Forest Fruits’ variety.

Have you tried Vizo cider?  What did you think?

BX Press The Bandit cider with cherry

Review of The BX Press’ The Bandit, cider with cherry.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

Photo Feb 08, 5 36 23 PM.jpg

Cider:  The Bandit, cider with cherry
Cidery:  The BX Press
Cidery Location:  Vernon B.C. Canada
ABV:  7.2%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles
Style:  Canadian craft cider from a variety of apples, with cherry

Photo Feb 08, 5 36 35 PM Photo Feb 08, 5 36 54 PM Photo Feb 08, 5 37 07 PM

Availability:  probably only in B.C. Canada (see here), plus direct sales in Canada

Cider Description:  This unique cider with cherry is fermented from over 12 varieties of apples and has natural BC cherry added to it just before bottling. Due to the added cherry, this cider is slightly sweeter than our others, but balanced with the crisp acidity of the apples, and underlying complexity from the cherry.  See here for more info.

Cidery Description:  We are 3rd-Generation Apple Growers trying something new.  Or depending how you look at it – something old.  Real Cider – made from apples, has been around for centuries – yet in North America the word cider has been so obscured that most no longer know what to expect.  We invite you to try real cider, made from apples. Not watered down, not artificially flavoured. Not sugary sweet or cloying.  Our ciders are natural, refreshing, and a true expression of the apples they are made from. They are unpretentious, yet have enough character to be served alongside the finest meal. Did we mention we grow all the apples we use in our ciders – nearly 30 varieties – right on the same orchard the cidery is located?  We hope you will come visit our tasting room and experience real cider.

Price:  ~ $10 CAN ?
Where Bought:  Victoria B.C.
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  on a cruise port stop (side note – I picked up about 2 cases of cider on that trip in Sept, and I only have 1 or 2 left now)

Photo Feb 08, 5 38 37 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Deep purple hue, reminiscent of red grape wine.  Very low carbonation.  Smells mild, dry, of cherry.

Tasting Notes:  On the drier side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  Hints of tannins.  No bitterness, sourness, or funk.  Notes of cherry with hints of tart green apple and lemon.  Moderate length finish.  Low apple flavor.  Low complexity.  Moderate flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it.  A tad dry for my tastes, and drier than most other cherry ciders I’ve had, but very fruity, and not too tart.

Most Similar to:  although I’ve tried over 30 cherry ciders (see here), this one was unique, as it was drier than average, yet had more cherry flavor than average, a rarely seen combination

Closing Notes:  This was one of my favorite B.C. ciders so far, as so many I’ve tried were super dry, tart, and bland.  My absolute favorite however is probably Central City Limited Edition Imperial though.

Have you tried BX Press Bandit?  What did you think?

Windfall Jackpot

Review of Windfall Cider’s Jackpot.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

Cider:  Jackpot
Cidery:  Windfall Cider
Cidery Location:  British Columbia, Canada
ABV:  7.0%
How Supplied:  473ml cans
Style:  Canadian craft cider from dessert apples, dry

Photo Feb 03, 5 46 09 PM Photo Feb 03, 5 46 20 PM

Availability:  probably only in B.C. Canada, primarily in Vancouver (see here)

Cidery Description:  Windfall is an urban cidery based in Vancouver. We believe in making your own luck, and we’re here to turn the world of cider on its head. We find the best BC apples, the purest juice, and experiment with old-world techniques to create a one-of-a-kind cider like you’ve probably never tasted before. Like a little sip of good fortune in every can.

Cider Description:  You’ve hit the big one with this dry cider, balanced and crisp with a bit of sweetness, Jackpot is made from a premium blend of BC dessert apples with a hint of tropical fruit on the palate.  Like a a little sip of good fortune in every can.

Price:  ~ $4 CAN / 1 can ?
Where Bought:  Victoria B.C. Canada
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing, while on a cruise port stop

Photo Feb 03, 5 45 54 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Very light straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells very mild, of dry tart apple.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of green apple and lemon with a hint of pineapple.  Moderate tart finish.  Low apple flavor and complexity.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I thought this was average.  Nothing wrong with average though, as everybody doesn’t like every cider.  Plenty drinkable, but a bit bland, as expected for a dry cider made from dessert apples.

Most Similar to:  Seattle Cider Dry, or a drier version of Far West Orchard Blend 1

Closing Notes:  This is their flagship cider, and possibly the only one currently available, per their website.

Have you tried Windfall Jackpot?  What did you think?

Vizo Green Apple

Review of Vizo’s Organic Apple Cider Green Apple.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

Photo Feb 02, 7 41 02 PM

Cider:  Green Apple
Cidery:  Vizo Organic Apple Cider
Cidery Location:  Denmark
ABV:  4.8%
How Supplied:  11.2oz bottles
Style:  organic craft cider from Denmark, from unknown apple varieties, with green apple extract

Photo Feb 02, 7 41 13 PM Photo Feb 02, 7 41 26 PM

Availability:  limited, plus online sales

Cider Description:  Take the classic cider and now imagine a zest of aroma and flavor of green apple with a clean finish, Vizo’s Green Apple is that cider. Beneficial to both health and well-being, the taste and freshness of the traditional and the well-known fruit is outstanding.

Cidery Description:  The aroma of our cider is intense, fresh and with a slightly floral background. Vizo Organic Hard Cider perfectly combines sweet and tart apples in order to enrich the flavor, leaving a pleasant, fruity and  refreshing aftertaste. Made from Danish organic apples with just the right touch of elder-flower, forest fruits or green apple flavor. It is a seamless amalgam of flavors, with no sugar or additives, resulting in a 100% natural drink a craft cider like no other.

Price:  ~ $4.50 / 1 bottle
Where Bought:  a natural grocery store in Northern California
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

Photo Feb 02, 7 42 47 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Light caramel hue.  Very low carbonation.  Smells of sweet apple juice.

Tasting Notes:  Sweet.  Medium bodied.  Moderate tartness.  Low to moderate acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of rich sweet apple juice and caramel.  Quick finish.  High apple flavor and sessionability.  Moderate to high flavor intensity.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  I liked it, although it was a bit too sweet for my liking.  The color confused me, as from that I had assumed it was made from cider apples, but the flavor didn’t support that theory, as it tasted like typical cider from dessert/supermarket apples, although richer.  I’m also surprised they called this ‘Green Apple’, as it didn’t have that flavor, only a bit of tartness with the rich profile.  It doesn’t list color as being added though, so maybe they just use a different process which retains more color than a typical clarified American apple juice or hard cider.

Most Similar to:  Woodchuck Barrel Select but without the barrel & bourbon flavor, Locust New England Amber but sweeter and less complex, Locust Sweet Aged Apple with more caramel than honey & brown sugar, or Spire Dark & Dry but more caramel then molasses and no malt

Closing Notes:  I also picked up Vizo’s ‘Forest Fruits’ and ‘Elderflower’ varieties.

Have you tried Vizo cider?  What did you think?

Austin Eastciders Pineapple Cider

Review of Austin Eastciders Pineapple Cider.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Texas Honey.

Cider:  Pineapple Cider
Cidery:  Austin Eastciders
Cidery Location:  Austin TX
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  12oz cans
Style:  American craft cider from dessert & cider apples with pineapple concentrate

photo jan 27, 5 37 30 pm photo jan 27, 5 37 44 pm

Availability:  Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of the Northeast (see their cider locator here)

Cider Description:  For an exotic twist, we have blended heirloom bittersweet and culinary apples with a taste of the tropics. Golden, ripe, and delicious pineapples have been married into our dry cider to give you a refreshing pineapple experience!

Cidery Description:  Could we move to an apple producing region, grow our own apples and make cider? Sure, but it wouldn’t be the delicious and complex cider we make today in good ol’ Texas. The most important thing to us is sourcing the best cider apples and using only high-quality natural ingredients.

See here for more info.  They have a taproom in Austin Texas.

Price:  ~$2 / 1 can ? (runs $8.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  my husband picked this up for me while in Texas for business

photo jan 27, 5 37 11 pm

First Impression:  Light yellow hue.  Nearly still (very low carbonation).  Smells mild, of pineapple juice.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry to semi-sweet.  Light to medium bodied.  Low to moderate tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, tannins, funk, or sourness.  Notes of pineapple, green apple, and lemon.  Quick finish.  Low apple flavor and complexity.  Moderate flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I really enjoyed this.  Nice pineapple flavor, easy to drink, and mid-level sweetness.

Most Similar to:  2 Towns Pineapple (which is drier) and Jester & Judge Pineapple Express and Reverend Nat’s Viva La Pineapple (which are sweeter and have some lime)

Closing Notes:  I’m curious what percentage of cider to dessert apples they use, as cider apple influence is not apparent in the flavor, and I’d expect this cider to be priced higher if any significant percentage of cider apples was used.  In fact, their ciders are already priced much lower than I’m used to in Western Washington.

Have you tried Austin Eastciders Pineapple Cider?  What did you think?

Fraser Valley Honey

Review of Fraser Valley Cider Co’s Honey.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

Photo Jan 25, 5 33 37 PM.jpg

Cider:  Honey
Cidery:  Fraser Valley Cider Co.
Cidery Location:  Langley, British Columbia, Canada
ABV:  7.5%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles
Style:  Canadian craft cider with honey

photo jan 25, 5 33 50 pm photo jan 25, 5 34 07 pm photo jan 25, 5 33 59 pm

Availability:  probably only in British Columbia (see here)

Cider Description:  Our honey cider balances fruity apple aromas with the slightly spicy notes of wildflower honey from our farm hives. Our bees have done the hard work so you don’t have to – relax and enjoy.

Cidery Description:  After a 20 year career in engineering I was looking for a new challenge.   While mulling over a few ideas I took a course on cider making to improve my home cider skills and thought ….hey wait a minute!  And so a project was born.  We found our 12 acre farm in January 2014, picked out the site of our future cidery and made an offer.  In 2015 we built the cidery and with the help of friends we planted an orchard of 1800 trees.  With over 25 different varieties of english and french cider apples our aim is to grow the types of apples that make the highest quality cider.  Now we’re in our third season of operation and what a journey!  We’ve poured a lot of cider, had some fabulous parties in the tent and made lots of new friends along the way.  Each year we increase production (and still can’t keep up!) and this year we pressed the first fruit from our own orchard for a special estate blend cider.  The days are long but we’re living our dream and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

Price:  ~ $16 CAN
Where Bought:  Victoria B.C.
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  during a cruise port stop

Photo Jan 25, 5 35 35 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Hazy yellow hue.  Smells mild, of honey.  Low carbonation.

Tasting Notes:  On the drier side of semi-sweet.  Light to medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, tannins, or funk.  Notes of honey, sweet lemonade, and green apple.  Moderate finish length with a hint of sourness.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate flavor intensity.  Low to moderate complexity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I really enjoyed this.  Nice flavor and mid-level sweetness.  So many of the other B.C. ciders I’ve tried have been rather dry, tart, and bland.

Most Similar to:  Sea Cider Birds & Bees, except lower ABV

Closing Notes:  I hope to find more ciders from this cidery next time I’m in B.C.

Have you tried Fraser Valley Honey?  What did you think?

Far West Orchard Blend No. 1

Review of Far West Cider’s Orchard Blend No. 1.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had their San Joaquin Sparkler.

Photo Jan 20, 6 09 06 PM.jpg

Cider:  Orchard Blend No. 1
Cidery:  Far West Cider Co.
Cidery Location:  Richmond CA
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples

photo jan 20, 6 09 13 pm photo jan 20, 6 09 24 pm photo jan 20, 6 09 34 pm

Availability:  mostly only in Northern California (see here), plus online sales

Cider Description:  This cider uses a combination of GoldRush, Cripps Pink and Granny Smith apples grown on Chinchiolo Family Farms. It is fermented with Champagne yeast at very low temperatures and aged to develop more complexity than your typical cider. Fruit-forward, sparkling, and just barely semi-sweet with great acid balance, this cider pairs nicely with warm patios, fancy brunches, funky tunes and pork.

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

They have a taproom in Richmond CA.

Price:  $11.99 (although its $11 at their online store)
Where Bought:  Village Market in the ferry building in San Francisco CA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  on a cruise port stop

Photo Jan 20, 6 10 51 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Light straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells mild, tart.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Low to moderate tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of green apple, citrus, and pineapple.  Long tart finish.  Low to moderate apple flavor, complexity, and overall flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked it.  Tasty and easy to drink.  Overall this would probably have wide appeal.

Most Similar to:  Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet and Scandinavian Green Apple Craft Cider

Closing Notes:  I thought it was a bit spendy for being a typical craft cider from dessert apples, like you’d often find in a 4 or 6 pack for this price.

Have you tried Far West Cider Orchard Blend No. 1?  What did you think?

Kite & String Honeoye

Review of Kite & String’s Honeoye.  It is my first time trying this cider, although I’ve had their Baldwin.

Photo Jan 19, 5 48 07 PM.jpg

Cider:  Honeoye
Cidery:  Kite & String
Cidery Location:  Interlaken, New York
ABV:  6.3%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles
Style:  American craft cider, semi-sweet to sweet (5.1% RS), sparkling, from Newtown Pippin, Baldwin, McIntosh, & Liberty apples

photo jan 19, 5 48 22 pm photo jan 19, 5 48 39 pm

Availability:  probably only in the Northeast, plus online sales

Cider Description:  A tribute to the sweetness of a fall apple harvest. Sharp and heirloom apples fermented to dryness, balanced with a sweet reserve of high Brix fresh juice, cold concentrated on the farm to 29 Brix through cryo-extraction.  Semi-sweet. Sparkling. Aromatics of fresh baked apple and summer honey. Boldly fruit forward yet balanced with bright acidity and a rich juicy finish.

Cidery Description:  ‘Kite’ means light, playful, balanced, fun. ‘String’ means grounded to a place, our small farm.  Kite & String Ciders are produced at Finger Lakes Cider House on our organic and diversified farm in Interlaken, New York. Please come and visit us in the tasting room any time of the year.

Price:  $16
Where Bought:  their website
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I heard they were doing free shipping for the holidays, and I’ve always read good things about their ciders, so it was an easy choice to place an order.  Plus, they have a nice wide selection for all tastes.  I also picked up their Baldwin and Royal Cider.

Photo Jan 19, 5 50 02 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Light straw yellow hue.  Smells mild and sweet.  Low carbonation.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet to sweet.  Medium bodied.  Low to moderate tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of honey, sweet apple, and tropical fruit.  Moderate length finish.  Moderate apple flavor.  Moderate to high overall flavor intensity.  Low to moderate complexity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it – very honey-forward for not having honey added (which would be a cyser).  However, it was right on the edge of being too sweet for my liking.  For many it might be better as a dessert cider and/or something to share, but I drank it all myself.  Its a fairly simple cider as far as heritage ciders go, and with its qualities and sweetness, it would make a great introductory cider for folks new to heritage cider.

Most Similar to:  cyser, although most of those are much higher ABV, so I’d say Bertilinos and Austin Eastciders Texas Honey

Closing Notes:  I like seeing sweeter heritage cider options, as I prefer semi-dry to semi-sweet, and the majority seem to be dry.

Have you tried Kite & String Honeoye?  What did you think?

Whitewood Jonathan

Review of Whitewood Cider’s Jonathan.  I previously tried this on draft (see here).  Plus I’ve had their Summer SwitchelKingston Black Whisky Barrel AgedRed CapGravenstein Old Fangled Series 2012 HarvestGravenstein Old Fangled Series Barrel AgedNorthlandWinesapGibb’s FarmNewtown Pippin, and South Sounder.

Photo Jan 12, 6 34 11 PM.jpg

Cider:  Old Fangled Series, Jonathan (2015 harvest)
Cidery:  Whitewood Cider
Cidery Location:  Olympia WA
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles
Style:  American craft heritage cider from Jonathan apples, sugar added, medium dry

photo jan 12, 6 34 19 pm photo jan 12, 6 34 41 pm

Availability:  only in Washington – see here

Cider Description:  Jonathan is an early American variety and dates back to the early 1800’s. Whitewood’s Single Varietal Jonathan Cider starts out full up front good acid backbone followed by scant traces of a caramel/butterscotch flavors, and finishes clean with notes of, sour orange, meyer lemon, and citrus flavors. 

Cidery Description:  Whitewood Cider is the South Puget Sound’s first craft cidery. Officially we are a nano cider and can be hard to locate. Fear not as you’ll be able to find us at the finest bottles shops as well pubs and and restaurants that are the most dedicated to locally made craft cider.

They have a tasting room in Olympia; see here.

Price:  ~ $15 ?
Where Bought:  Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

Photo Jan 12, 6 36 32 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Medium straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells apple-forward.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  Hints of tannins.  No bitterness, sourness, or funk.  Notes of juicy apple and lemon with hints of honey and tropical fruit.  Quick finish.  Low to moderate complexity.  Moderate to high apple flavor.  High sessionability.  Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it, and so did my husband.  Super easy to drink and apple-forward, yet it had a bit of complexity – you can tell it is heritage craft cider.

Most Similar to:  a more complex and sessionable version of Portland Cider Perfect 10

Closing Notes:  This would make a great introductory craft cider, plus I’d like to see it in a multipack.

Have you tried Whitewood Jonathan?  What did you think?

Dragon’s Head Summer Cider

Review of Dragon’s Head Summer Cider.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Traditional CiderWild FermentedKingston BlackColumbia CrabMethode Champenoise PerryPerry, and Manchurian.

photo jan 11, 6 32 13 pm

Cider:  Summer Cider
Cidery:  Dragon’s Head
Cidery Location:  Vashon WA
ABV:  7.3%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles
Style:  American craft heritage cider from cider apples

photo jan 11, 6 32 24 pm photo jan 11, 6 32 35 pm

Availability:  probably only in Western Washington

Cider Description:  not given

Cidery Description: At Dragon’s Head Cider, we believe in producing high quality hard ciders with a traditional approach, which means you will never find us using apple juice concentrate, over sweetening our ciders, or adding other flavors to our ciders. We love the story that apples and pears can tell all by themselves. And so we keep it simple. Press high quality apples and pears, ferment the juice, put it in a bottle.  We believe one of the keys to creating great cider is to have control over the entire process. For this reason, we do the pressing, fermentation, blending and bottling all right here on the farm.

Wes and Laura Cherry moved to Vashon Island in 2010 with the dream of planting an orchard and starting a cidery. Dragon’s Head Farm, named for the dragon who guards the apples of immortality in the Garden of Hesperides, is now home to over 2,200 cider fruit trees as well as our production facility.

They have a tasting room on Vashon Island open Saturdays and Sundays.

Price:  ~ $18 ?
Where Bought:  Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

Photo Jan 11, 6 33 48 PM.jpg

First Impression:  Dark straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells dry, acidic, and fruity.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  Low to moderate tannins.  Hints of sourness and bitterness.  No funk.  Notes of sharp apple, honey, pineapple, and floral.  Long tannic finish.  Low to moderate flavor intensity and apple flavor.  Moderate complexity and sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked it.  It had a non-descript fruitiness that was nice, and it wasn’t too acidic.  However, its not a favorite of mine.

Most Similar to:  nothing specifically, although in general it is pretty typical of a complex heritage cider

Closing Notes:  My favorite from Dragon’s Head is their Traditional, plus their Perry and Kingston Black.

Have you tried Dragon’s Head cider?  What did you think?