Rustic Roots Organic Snow Cider Dry Apple

September 29, 2016September 25, 2016 cidersays review, Rustic Roots cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, organic, Rustic Roots, Snow Cider, tasting notes

Review of Rustic Roots Organic Snow Cider Dry Apple, from British Columbia. Its the first time I’ve tried their cider, and this is the only cider this winery makes.

Cider: Organic Snow Cider Dry Apple
Cidery: Rustic Roots
Cidery Location: Cawston B.C. Canada
ABV: 7.6%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: Canadian Organic craft cider

Availability: unknown

Description: unknown

Price: $7
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells mild, sharp, of floral and citrus.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low bitterness. Low tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of herbal, floral, lemon, green apple, white grape, pineapple, crab apples, and mineral. Moderate to long finish. Moderate sessionability, apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: Tasty. I was surprised how flavorful it was for its level of dryness. Juicy and sharp.

Closing Notes: This is a great value, considering it is imported (although not very far) and Organic. I haven’t seen any other varieties from them yet though (it looks like they primarily make grape wine).

Have you tried Rustic Roots Snow Cider? What did you think?

Eden Heirloom Blend 2013 Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Ice Cider

September 28, 2016September 25, 2016 cidersays Eden, review barrel aged, brandy, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eden, hard cider, ice cider, tasting notes, Vermont

Review of Eden Ice Cider’s Heirloom Blend, aged in apple brandy barrels, made in 2013 in Newport VT. I’ve tried a number of their ice ciders and sparkling ciders; see here.

Cider: Heirloom Blend, limited release, 2013, aged in Apple Brandy Barrels
Cidery: Eden Ice Cider
Cidery Location: Newport VT
ABV: 10%
Residual Sugar: 15%
How Supplied: 187ml & 375ml tall skinny glass bottles
Style: American craft ice cider, aged in apple brandy barrels

Availability: Their ciders are at least sold in AK, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, SC, VT, WA, and British Columbia, although this one has less distribution than their non barrel aged Heirloom Blend, which is most commonly found. Eden also offers online sales when allowed by state.

Cider Description: This limited release of our flagship Heirloom Blend Ice Cider has been aged in 10-year old barrels previously used for apple brandy. It has notes of caramel, apple sauce, and vanilla, a round, full mouthfeel, and plenty of acidity to create a lasting, refreshing finish.

Cidery Description: Eden Orchards and Eden Ice Cider began on a trip to Montreal in 2006 when we first tasted ice cider and wondered why nobody was making it on our side of the border. We had dreamed for years of working together on a farm in the Northeast Kingdom; it was a dream that had vague outlines including an apple orchard, cider, and fermentation of some sort. That night we looked at each other and knew ice cider was it. In April 2007, we bought an abandoned dairy farm in West Charleston, Vermont and got to work. Since then we have planted over 1,000 apple trees, created 5 vintages of Eden Vermont Ice Ciders, and have introduced a new line of Orleans Apertif Ciders. Out goals are to create healthy soils and trees in our own orchard, to support out Vermont apple orchard partners who do the same, to minimize our carbon footprint, to contribute to the economic and environmental health of our employees and our Northeast Kingdom community, and most of all to make world-class unique ciders that truly reflect our Vermont terroir.

They have a tasting bar on the main floor of the Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center in downtown Newport VT. Their current product line includes at least eight ice ciders, two Aperitif ciders, and dry & semi-dry sparkling ciders. They also have a cider club where members get access to special release ciders not available to the public.

Price: $17 / 187ml
Where Bought: through their website
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing their online store. I enjoyed their Heirloom Blend, and loved their Northern Spy barrel aged cider, so it wasn’t a hard sell.

First Impression: Still. Deep caramel amber hue. Smells of rich ripe baked apples, residual sugar, higher ABV, brown sugar, burnt caramel, honey, and oak.

Tasting Notes: Sweet to very sweet. Full bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Low tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Concentrated notes of baked apples, brown sugar, burnt caramel, vanilla, honey, brandy, oak, orange, and a hint of spice. Long warming finish. Low sessionability. High apple flavor. High flavor intensity. Moderate to high complexity. Moderate to high brandy influence. Low oak influence.

My Opinion: Amazing! I enjoyed the barrel aged and brandy qualiies of this ice cider. Due to the sweetness this is definitely a beverage to sip only a small quantity after dinner, but that means even a small bottle lasts awhile. It also kept very well in the fridge, without any noticeable flavor change during the week I had it open. I think this is my favorite of their ice ciders so far, just slightly above Northern Spy (see here), as it had the added apple brandy flavor in addition to just the oak aging.

Most Similar to: High quality ice ciders. Compared to Eden’s Heirloom Blend, it had added oak and apple brandy notes. Compared to Eden’s Northern Spy, it had added apple brandy notes. Their different ice ciders have a lot of similarities but also differences.

Closing Notes: This was another impressive cider from Eden Ice Cider. I still have their Windfall Orchard ice cider left to try, which I ordered at the same time.

Have you tried Eden Ice Ciders? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 21 Tasting Notes

September 27, 2016January 13, 2018 cidersays One Tree, Rev Nat's, review, Schilling, Worley's cider, cider bar, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, seattle, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my 21st visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

I was there on a random Tuesday. I started with a flight. This was one of the only times I’ve visited the cider house and not had a full flight of ciders to try which were new to me, but there were still 32 choices. Sometimes its good to not have much new to try, as I can focus on ciders I know I liked previously.

Wandering Aengus (Salem OR) Bittersweet (5.2% ABV): I recently tried this draft-only wild fermented cider from bittersweet apples from the Poverty Lane (Farnum Hill) orchard in New Hampshire, but wanted to give it another try as I was considering picking up a growler of it. Although still very tasty, I didn’t find this taste as impressive…it seemed milder in flavor, and less tannic.

Schilling (Auburn WA) Barrel #2 (21% ABV): This is the last keg of their 2nd series of barrel aged distilled cider, which I tried previously. Its more apple brandy than cider, very alcohol-forward. I didn’t really enjoy it as much this time around…it seemed all alcohol and less flavor (my notes from last time mentioned honey and floral notes).

Wandering Aengus (Salem OR) Cellar Door (8.5% ABV): This is a draft-only version of their Bloom cider which is fermented drier. Semi-dry. Sharp. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness and high acidity. Low to moderate bitterness. More astringent than tannic (low to moderate). Mild flavor notes of floral, herbal, honey, and citrus. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. I think I like the regular version of Bloom better, as it was more flavorful.

One Tree (Spokane WA) Raspberry (6.0% ABV): This is a draft-only raspberry cider. My sample was from the end of the keg, so it poured very smoothie-like. Semi-sweet to sweet, but it tasted like it was meant to be that sweet, not overdone. Full bodied. Very strong raspberry flavor. No apple/cider flavor. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. Simple but tasty, similar to Schilling’s Raspberry Smoothie, although One Tree’s is higher ABV.

Reverend Nat’s (Portland OR) The Passion (6.9% ABV): I tried this recently, but was curious whether my taste buds we off at Cider Summit, as it is described online as very sour, but I only found it mildly sour. However, Sarah at the Cider House confirmed that this year’s batch wasn’t nearly as sour as last year’s. I enjoyed it, but at Cider Summit I found it had more passionfruit flavor and even less sourness, which I preferred.

I also had a couple bottle pours shared with me.

Wandering Aengus (Salem OR) Pommeau Apple Dessert Wine (14.0% ABV): Pommeau is apple brandy with cider. Semi-sweet to sweet. Still. Full bodied. Mild in flavor for a Pommeau, not as booze-forward as you’d expect for the ABV, but still very apple-forward. Mild tartness, acidity, bitterness, and tannins. Notes of cider apples, oak, leather, and orange. Amazing!

Worley’s (Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK) Premium Vintage 2013 (6.4% ABV): This is another one I’ve tried previously. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Low tartness, acidity, bitterness, and tannins. Low to moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Its an English cider, but I found it quite similar to French cider, as it is rich, apple-forward, carbonated (although less so than when I previously tried it), and yeast-forward, but not overly tannic. Awesome.

This was an awesome tasting. The Wandering Aengus Cellar Door was the only cider I wasn’t too big a fan of. The Pommeau was probably my favorite though.

Stay tuned for more Schilling Cider House tasting notes here at Cider Says! Have you had any good draft cider / cider flights recently?

2 Towns Nice & Naughty Imperial Spiced Cider

September 26, 2016September 25, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, imperial, Nice & Naughty, spiced cider, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns’ Nice & Naughty Imperial Spiced Cider, their winter seasonal high ABV cider with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. I’ve tried this before (see here), and even tried the bourbon barrel aged version (see here), but only on draft. I’ve previously tried most of their lineup; see here.

>>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 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: Nice & Naughty
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 10.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft apple honey wine with spices

Availability: Thru the end of 2016 in AK, CA, HI, ID, OR, WA, and Minneapolis MN & Chicago IL.

Cider Description: Festive and warming, Nice & Naughty is crammed full of whole cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and a touch of honey to celebrate the season. Made with Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Clove.

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 (retails for ~$8)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Light to medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells sweet, of baked apples and cinnamon.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of baked apples, juicy apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, hints of cloves, honey, and citrus. Long warming slightly boozy finish. Low to moderate sessionability. Moderate apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity / spice intensity. Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Tasty. I liked it better closer to room than fridge temperature, oddly enough (considering the high ABV). The level of spice is nice…not overwhelming. I also liked that it wasn’t overly sweet. It is however a bit on the acidic side.

Most Similar to: AEppelTreow Sparrow Spiced and Elemental Seasonal Spiced Apple, both which had similar levels of sweetness and flavor profiles, but not as high of an ABV. Reverend Nat’s Winter Abbey Spice has a higher ABV, but had an odd sourness.

Closing Notes: If you are looking for a unique spiced cider, one with a bit more kick but not too much sweetness, this is a nice choice.

Have you tried 2 Towns Nice & Naughty? What did you think?

Number 12 Black Currant Dry

September 23, 2016December 30, 2016 cidersays Number 12, review Black Currant, cider, cider review, cider tasting, dry, hard cider, Minnesota, Number 12, tasting notes

Review of Number 12 Ciderhouse’s Black Currant Dry. I tried their Chestnut Semi-Dry and Sparkling Dry earlier this week.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Number 12. 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: Black Currant Dry
Cidery: Number 12 Ciderhouse
Cidery Location: Buffalo, Minnesota
ABV: 7.4%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from Minnesota apples, with black currant

Availability: Number 12 ciders are sold in these locations in Minnesota.

Cider Description: Number 12 Black Currant Dry begins with aromatic notes of jam and rich black currant followed by a crisp, dry cider finish. Once considered the “forbidden fruit” due to a 100 year ban, the black currant is now experiencing a resurgence in America’s conscience. It pairs beautifully with locally grown apples by providing a tannic structure needed for depth and complexity. This is the cider that will change your perspective.

I didn’t know that black currant was actually banned–wow! I read up a bit more, and learned they were thought to help spread a fungus that threatened the timber industry, so black and red currants were federally banned in 1911. By 1966, disease-resistant varieties were developed, and the government left it up to the states as to whether to keep them banned. Although most states eventually lifted the ban (some quite recently), black and red currant is still banned in some states.

Cidery Description: Balance is everything . . . In life, and in great ciders. Number 12 is no different. We are continuously experimenting to achieve a perfect balance. Number 12 gets its namesake from the 12th recipe developed in 2011. It became our first award winner and the beginning of our recognition from the cider community. Since then, it has become more of a concept, our ideal if you will. Number 12 represents the idea that greatness in cider is out there somewhere . . . To strive for, to create, to perfect!

They have a tap room in Buffalo Minnesota.

Price: n/a (retails for $11)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Deep purple-red hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells of sour black currant and cherry.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low to moderate astringency. Low bitterness and funk. Low to moderate sourness. Notes of black currant, cherry, red wine, blackberry, lemon, mineral, and sharp crabapples. Moderate length finish. No apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity, complexity, and sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked the jam-like black currant flavor, but it was a bit too sour, dry, and acidic for my personal tastes. However, it is well-made and unique. It had a lot of black currant flavor for how dry it is.

Most Similar to: Virtue Cider Cherry Mitten. I found Black Currant Dry to have almost as much cherry flavor as black currant. Black currant is a popular flavor addition for cider (especially here in the PNW), and I’ve tried a number of them, although none that were of this style (they have all been sweeter and tart but not sour): 2 Towns Dark Currant, Finnriver Black Currant & Lavender Black Currant & Oak Aged Crew Selection Black Currant & Black Currant Brandywine, Carlton Black Currant Scrumpy, Moonlight Meadery Crimes of Passion, and Reverend Nat’s Whiskey Barrel Aged Golden Russet with Black Currant.

Closing Notes: To be honest, I didn’t really care for any of the three ciders I tried from Number 12, although the Chestnut Semi-Dry was probably my favorite (and the most approachable). However, fans of dry farmhouse-style ciders with a bit of sourness & funk likely will enjoy them. Everyone doesn’t like every cider, and there are styles which appeal to each person. They are a great value too, at $11-$13 for a 750ml bottle. Side note – Number 12 uses malolactic fermentation in their secondary fermentation stage (see here), which converts lactic acid to carbon dioxide, reducing acid and smoothing out the flavor, but this process also adds a bit of sourness. Many people really enjoy that flavor in their cider (or beer or wine), but some like me haven’t yet acquired the taste for it.

Have you tried Number 12 Ciders? What did you think?

Stem Ciders Blood Orange Cyser

September 22, 2016September 23, 2016 cidersays review, Stem Ciders blood orange, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Colorado, cyser, Denver, hard cider, Stem Ciders, tasting notes

Review of Stem Ciders’ Blood Orange Cyser (a cross between cider and mead, made from both apples and honey). I’ve previously tried their Le Chene and Malice. My husband brought this and 4 of their other ciders (plus even some Pommeau!) back from Colorado for me.

Cider: Blood Orange Cyser
Cidery: Stem Ciders
Cidery Location: Denver Colorado
ABV: 10%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American craft apple-honey wine with blood orange

Availability: Their ciders are available only in Colorado, at these retailers, but this is a special release which may only be found at the cidery.

Cider Description: Apple-honey wine with blood orange. Rosy in hue with light notes of honey and citrus zest on the nose. Acidity from the blood orange plays off the sweetness of the honey, allowing an off-dry yet refreshing beverage. Light apple tannins fill out the finish.

Cidery Description: At Stem Ciders, we are committed to creating ciders of the highest quality that honor the purity and complexity that is inherent to the apple. We can’t wait to introduce you to your perfect cider match. We are dedicated to reviving the cider tradition, which goes far beyond what you enjoy in your glass. We hold our growers in the highest regard, and by fostering relationships with them we reward their hard work and promote the regrowth of heirloom apple cultivation. We love our home-base in Denver, and embrace the Colorado lifestyle that makes us lug a bottle to share up a mountain to enjoy a drink with a view. Most importantly, we love nothing more than seeing that smile on your face when you have your first sip of one of our crisp, refreshing ciders.

Price: $18
Where Bought: Stem Ciders tasting room in Denver
Where Drank: home
How Found: I read about Stem Ciders online. Last time my husband was in Colorado, he picked me up a bunch of ciders, including Stem Le Chene. I keep hearing about their Banjo special release cider, but I’m 0/3 as far as finding it (apparently its only available about 1 month a year; its currently still barrel aging). This time around I thought I’d make it easier on my husband and give him a shopping list all from the same cidery, so he could just stop by the tap room (vs. trying to find ciders at multiple bottle shops). I e-mailed the cidery ahead of time and they were nice enough to send me a list of what they had in stock.

First Impression: Light orange-pink hue. Very low carbonation upon pouring. Smells mild, of honey and tart blood orange.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Moderate carbonation. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low bitterness. Low tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of blood orange, honey, honeycomb, grapefruit, lemon, mineral, and green apple. Quick to moderate length finish, with less warming than expected for 10% ABV. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate honey and blood orange flavor. Moderate sessionability. Moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. Unique citrus champagne-like flavor. I imagine if I actually liked blood orange I would have loved it. I’m a fan of high ABV cider, citrus notes in cider, and cyser & mead though, which is why I wanted to try it.

Most Similar to: I’ve had various cysers (such as Finnriver Cyser Cider, Eaglemount Cyser, Moonlight Meadery Last Apple, and Sea Cider Birds and the Bees), as well as two blood orange ciders (Elemental Calcium and Ace Space), and this is a bit of a cross between the two, and much drier than any of those. It also reminds me a bit of a mimosa, with the citrus, higher ABV, and higher carbonation.

Closing Notes: This cyser is a great value, between it being small batch, blood orange & honey being expensive, and its high ABV. I look forward to trying my other selections from Stem Ciders.

Have you tried anything from Stem Ciders? What did you think?

Number 12 Sparkling Dry

September 21, 2016December 30, 2016 cidersays Number 12, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, dry, hard cider, Minnesota, Number 12, sparkling, tasting notes

Review of Number 12 Ciderhouse’s Sparkling Dry, their flagship cider. I previously tried their Chestnut Semi-Dry.

Cider: Sparkling Dry
Cidery: Number 12 Ciderhouse
Cidery Location: Buffalo, Minnesota
ABV: 7.4%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from Minnesota apples, fermented dry, sparkling

Availability: Number 12 ciders are sold in these locations in Minnesota.

Cider Description: Number 12 Sparkling Dry is a truly dry, English style cider with a slightly tart finish. It has just the right amount of dry and tart, with an appley bouquet and a champagne-like sparkle. It is blended with 10 varieties of local apples, picked and pressed and fermented to goodness. Sparkling Dry is the culmination of 17 years of experimentation and we’re ready to share!

They have a tap room in Buffalo Minnesota.

Price: n/a (retails for $13)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation with some foam. Smells mild, of citrus with hints of sourness and funk.

Tasting Notes: Fully dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Very high acid. Moderate astringency. Mild tannins, bitterness, funk, and sourness. Notes of lemon, grapefruit, mineral, green apple, pineapple, white blossom, and crabapples. Sharp mouth-puckering flavor. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Well-made, but its not really a style I enjoy. It reminds me of farmhouse-style cider, with its high acidity and some sourness & funk. Sparkling Dry is similar to their Chestnut Semi-Dry, but drier, higher acidity, more fruity, and without oak. I didn’t really pick up on the English-style mentioned in the description (which makes me think of tannins and rich cider apple flavor).

Most Similar to: Other farmhouse-style dry acid-forward ciders such as Millstone Farmgate Dry, Sietsema Traditional Dry, and Angry Orchard Walden Hollow.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got to try this one. Next up I have their Black Currant Dry.

Have you tried Number 12 Ciders? What did you think?

Stem Ciders Malice

September 20, 2016September 17, 2016 cidersays review, Stem Ciders cider, cider review, cider tasting, Colorado, Denver, hard cider, Malice, Stem, tasting notes

Review of Malice from Stem Ciders, a flagship dry tank-aged cider. I’ve previously tried their Le Chene (see here). My husband brought this and 4 of their other ciders (plus even some Pommeau!) back from Colorado for me.

Cider: Malice
Cidery: Stem Ciders
Cidery Location: Denver Colorado
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz cans, and kegs (previously sold in 750ml bottles)
Style: American craft flagship dry cider made from dessert apples, tank-aged

<isn’t the can design cool? its actually a clear wrap-around sticker, not etched>

Availability: Only in Colorado, year round, at these retailers.

Cider Description: Tart, dry, and clean, allowing the apples to speak for themselves. Alluringly clean and unassuming, this crisp and fruit-forward cider is crafted from Pacific Northwest apples, fermented dry, and aged in stainless steel.

Price: $10 / four pack
Where Bought: Stem Ciders tasting room in Denver
Where Drank: home
How Found: I read about Stem Ciders online. Last time my husband was in Colorado, he picked me up a bunch of ciders, including Stem Le Chene. I keep hearing about their Banjo special release cider, but I’m 0/3 as far as finding it (apparently its only available about 1 month a year; its currently still barrel aging). This time around I thought I’d make it easier on my husband and give him a shopping list all from the same cidery, so he could just stop by the tap room (vs. trying to find ciders at multiple bottle shops). I e-mailed the cidery ahead of time and they were nice enough to send me a list of what they had in stock.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Very low carbonation. Smells mild, dry, and of citrus with a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes: Fully dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. High acid. Low to moderate astringency. Low bitterness. Hints of funk and sourness. Notes of lemon, green apple, mineral, and white grape. Moderate length slightly astringent and tart finish. Low to moderate apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Nice. Wine-like. Its a bit on the boring side for my tastes (I prefer very flavorful ciders), but its well-crafted and I really don’t have any complaints.

Most Similar to: Original Sin Extra Dry, which is also a fully dry sessionable acid and cirtrus-forward canned cider from dessert apples

Closing Notes: If you live in Colorado, enjoy a fully dry cider, and want something sessionable and/or available in a multipack, Stem Malice is a great option. Next up I have their canned Remedy (hopped) and Branch & Bramble (raspberry) ciders, then special releases Blood Orange Cyser, Whiskey Barrel-Aged Apricot, and Pommeau.

Have you tried Stem Malice? What did you think?

Number 12 Chestnut Semi-Dry

September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 cidersays Number 12, review Chestnut, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Minnesota, Number 12, oak, Oak Aged, tasting notes

Review of Number 12 Ciderhouse’s Chestnut Semi-Dry, a cider made from Minnesota apples and aged with toasted French oak spirals. This is Number 12 Ciderhouse’s newest release, and the first cider I’ve tried from them.

Cider: Chestnut Semi-Dry
Cidery: Number 12 Ciderhouse
Cidery Location: Buffalo, Minnesota
ABV: 7.4%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from Minnesota apples (including Chestnut Crabapples), aged with toasted French oak spirals

Availability: Number 12 ciders are sold in these locations in Minnesota.

Cider Description: Number 12 Chestnut Semi-Dry combines 5 local apple varieties with toasted French Oak. It features the Chestnut Crabapple, developed and introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1946. Hints of orchard honey and crisp apple come alive against a light sparkle and subtle tannins. This cider is approachable, balanced and delicious!

They have a tap room in Buffalo Minnesota.

Price: n/a (retails for $11)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Hazy dark lemonade hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells of citrus, sourness, funk, and oak.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Low sourness. Very high acidity. Low funk. Low tannins. Notes of sharp crabapples, grapefruit, lemon, honey, and charred oak. Moderate length finish. Low to moderate apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. Low oak influence.

My Opinion: Well-made, but its not really a style I enjoy. It reminds me of farmhouse-style cider, with its high acidity and some sourness & funk.

Most Similar to: Other farmhouse-style dry acid-forward ciders such as Millstone Farmgate Dry, Sietsema Traditional Dry, and Angry Orchard Walden Hollow, except with an oak aged twist.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got to try this one. Next up I have their Sparkling Dry and Black Currant Dry.

Have you tried Number 12 Ciders? What did you think?

Square Mile Spur & Vine Hopped Cider

September 16, 2016September 11, 2016 cidersays review, Square Mile cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, hopped cider, Spur & Vine, Spur and Vine, Square Mile, tasting notes

Review of Square Mile’s Spur & Vine hopped cider. I’ve previously tried their other variety, Original.

Cider: Spur & Vine
Cidery: Square Mile (part of Craft Brew Alliance)
Cidery Location: Portland OR
ABV: 6.7%
How Supplied: six packs of 12oz bottles and 22oz bottles
Style: American craft cider made from dessert apples, with Galaxy hops

Availability: Year round in WA, OR, CA, HI, AK, NV, AZ, TX, MT, ID, MI, & CO

Cider Description: Spur & Vine puts a Northwest twist on our classic American hard cider. Starting with the same apples and yeast as The Original, we added a generous amount of Galaxy hops during cold conditioning. Since no heat is applied to the hops, our cider takes on flavors and aromas of peach, melon and honeysuckle but none of the traditional hop bitterness. Spur & Vine is best served straight up to allow the complexities of this cider to shine.

Cidery Description: Inspired by the pioneering spirit of those who traveled the Oregon Trail in the pursuit of a dream, we offer Square Mile Hard Cider. We set out to reinvigorate an enduringly classic American beverage with a blend of apples hand-selected for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Our hard cider pays homage to the fortitude and perseverance of the original pioneers.

They were founded in 2013.

Price: $1.99 / single bottle (runs ~ $9 / six pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. A couple people have told me they liked this, and its even won awards, but I held off for awhile as I didn’t care for their Original cider.

First Impression: Dark straw yellow. Still (no carbonation). Smells of hops, floral, and citrus.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Hints of tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of citrus (lemon), hops, floral, herbal, mineral, lemongrass, and honey. Moderate to long finish. Moderate hoppiness, apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: I’m a fan. Nice hops flavor without going too overboard, and without the bitterness. Oddly enough I found this less beer-like than their Original cider. Its probably my favorite hopped cider to date. This category has grown on me. I think I started off on the wrong foot, not liking beer, then having Reverend Nat’s Envy (an intensely hopped bitter dry cider) being the first I tried.

Most Similar to: Other hopped ciders. This one has a nice balance of citrus, floral, and herbal flavor from the hops. Some other hopped ciders sway only towards citrus or floral.

Closing Notes: Now I’ve tried both offerings from Square Mile; oddly enough they only make two.

Have you tried hopped cider? What did you think?

Schilling Trouble in Paradise (Passionfruit Pineapple)

September 15, 2016September 11, 2016 cidersays review, Schilling cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, passion fruit, passionfruit, pineapple, Schilling, tasting notes, Trouble in Paradise

Review of Schilling Cider’s Trouble in Paradise, a passionfruit pineapple cider. I’ve tried a lot of their ciders before (see here).

Cider: Trouble in Paradise (Passionfruit Pineapple)
Cidery: Schilling Cider
Cidery Location: Auburn WA
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with pineapple and passionfruit juices

Availability: June-September. Schilling Cider is sold at least in AK, AZ, CA, CT, ID, MN, NC, NV, OR, SC, VA, and WA, but this is a seasonal release and is therefore likely to have more limited distribution.

Cider Description: YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED! Introducing our unscheduled surprise seasonal, Trouble in Paradise! This pineapple passionfruit hard cider is a tropical paradise and a bit of trouble in a bottle!

Cidery Description: We capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest by creating hard ciders that are deliberately innovative, bold, and flavor forward.

Price: $7
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: I tried in on tap awhile back and thought it would be a nice summer cider to get a bottle of.

First Impression: Hazy yellow orange hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells of pineapple juice with a hint of passionfruit.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to sweet. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, tannins, sourness, or funk. Notes of pineapple, orange, passionfruit, and peach. Moderate length tart finish. No apple flavor. Low complexity. Moderate to strong flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: Yum! A tropical vacation in a glass. However, this is very juice-like, and I couldn’t really taste any alcohol (or apple influence). It was more like juice with vodka or something neutral. I imagine it would make an awesome slushee. It had more orange flavor, was slightly sweeter, and more juice-like than I remembered it having on tap. Its curious they didn’t carbonate it.

Most Similar to: Other tropical/pineapple ciders, such as Ace Pineapple, Jester & Judge Pineapple Express, and Portland Cider Pineapple.

Closing Notes: I’ve been enjoying Schilling’s seasonal and special release ciders (especially King’s Shilling), although I don’t find their regular line of ciders too interesting (albeit better than they used to be).

Have you tried Schilling Trouble in Paradise? What did you think?

Cider Summit Seattle 2016 Post 2/2 – Tasting Notes

September 14, 2016April 16, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns, Apple Outlaw, Aspall, Cider Summit, Coquerel Calvados, D's Wicked, Double Mountain, Dragon's Head, event, Finnriver, Incline, J. Seeds, local, Maeloc, Montana Ciderworks, Moonlight Meadery, Nectar Creek, Number Six, NV Cider, Rev Nat's, review, Sea Cider, Seattle Cider, Steelhead, Summit Cider cider, cider event, cider review, cider summit, cider tasting, hard cider, seattle, tasting notes

This is post 2/2 on Cider Summit Seattle 2016, covering tasting notes. Post 1/2 (see here) covered the event.

2 Towns (Corvallis Oregon) Hollow Jack (6.4% ABV) – This fall seasonal pumpkin cider was just released. They added caramelized pumpkin, sweet potato, honey, and spices. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness, acidity, and bitterness. Notes of pumpkin, squash, and cinnamon. It was very lightly flavored, unlike many other pumpkin (and more frequently found, “pumpkin” spice ciders, which actually don’t have any pumpkin) which are overwhelming.

Apple Outlaw (Applegate Oregon) Chocolate Raspberry (unknown ABV) – This was their fruit cider challenge entry. The chocolate was added by soaking cacao bean husks in the raspberry cider. These husks would otherwise be discarded in the chocolate making process. Smells delicious, purely chocolate and raspberry. Semi-dry. The flavor is almost all raspberry, but hints of dark chocolate shone through in the slightly bitter and tannic finish. Moderate tartness and acidity. This was a bit of a novelty, but nice.

Aspall (Suffolk England) Perronelle’s Blush (4% ABV) – Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Moderate tartness and acidity. Light to medium bodied. Lovely fruitiness with moderate blackberry flavor plus hints of cranberry and blueberry. This is a nice sessionable summer sipper without forgoing flavor. I’ve never been disappointed by Aspall.

Boonville (Boonville CA) Bite Hard Semi-Sweet (6.9% ABV) – Their semi-sweet flagship cider is a follow up to their Dry Bite Hard variety. I found it as advertised, semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Fruity, with notes of tropical fruit like pineapple, plus green apple (all from the apples). I prefer this semi-sweet cider to their drier variety, which was more wine-like (which corresponds to their wine making background and methods).

Bull Run (Forest Grove Oregon) Mango (unknown ABV) – This was their fruit cider challenge entry. This hazy cider looked like mango juice. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Very juice-like and moderate mango flavor intensity. Moderate tartness and acidity. Simple but tasty.

Carlton Cyderworks (McMinnville Oregon) Impearial Asian Pear Hard Cider (5.8% ABV) – This is a pear cider (apples + Asian pears + Hood River Oregon pears). Semi-dry. Light bodied. Light sourness. Mildly flavored with notes of pear, pineapple, lemon, green apple, and mineral. I prefer more flavor, but this would pair well with food.

Coquerel (Victot-Pontfol, Normandy, France) Calvodos Fine VSOP (40% ABV) – This was my first time trying straight Calvados, an aged apple brandy (I’ve only had it with cider, as Pommeau). Semi-dry. Definitely boozy, with a very long warming finish. It surprisingly had only a mild apple flavor, although its possible my palate was a bit overwhelmed by the alcohol. I’m not really into straight alcohol (especially when served room temperature). I think I’ll stick to Pommeau.

d’s Wicked (Kennewick WA) Cranny Granny (6.9% ABV) – This is a granny smith apple cider with cranberry juice. Hazy pink hue. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Simple with only notes of moderately tart granny smith apples and cranberry. If you like tartness and cranberry, you’ll like this cider.

Dragon’s Head (Vashon WA) Columbia Crabapple Cider (6.7% ABV) – A single varietal cider made from Columbia crabapples. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity with hints of bitterness and tannins. Sharp flavor with notes of mineral, green apple, honey, white blossom, and lemon. Wine-like and nuanced with low flavor intensity. This is the sweetest variety I’ve tried from them. Their Kingston Black or Traditional is probably my favorite though.

Double Mountain Brewery – I’ll add a bit about them as they aren’t yet distributed in Washington, only Oregon. They have brewed beer for 9 years, but just started making cider, and have one introductory variety.

Double Mountain (Hood River Oregon) Jumpin Jack Heirloom Cider (7.3% ABV) – Fully dry. Mild sourness. Moderate tartness and acidity. Mild bitterness and tannins. Notes of green apple and a hint of hops (not sure if they were added, or there might have been some tap line contamination). I didn’t pick up the richness of any of the cider apple varieties they added, but there was definitely sharp heirloom apple flavor. I thought it was ok.

Finnriver (Chimanum WA) Apple Abbey (6.5% ABV) – A Belgian-inspired cider made from dessert apples. Foamy and hazy. Smells of sourness and citrus. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Yeast-forward. Notes of citrus and green apple. Hints of sourness. Moderate tartness and acidity. I liked it.

Finnriver (Chimanum WA) Pomona’s Nectar (6.5% ABV) – This is a new Crew Selection sour nectarine cider. Smells like Spanish Sidra. Semi dry. Mild to moderate sourness. Notes of lemon, yeast, and mineral (I didn’t pick up any stone fruit). I’m still trying to acquire the taste for sour ciders, but I found this one pretty tolerable; its a bit more approachable than the average Sidra.

Incline Cider (Auburn WA) Scout (6.5%) – A hopped marionberry cider. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Light marrionberry and moderate hops flavor. I think I prefer their plain Explorer hopped cider variety.

J. Seeds (Fairfield CA) Apple Cider Whiskey (35% ABV) – Whiskey made including apple cider. Semi-sweet. Apple forward and quite tasty, although I don’t have anything to compare it to as I’m not a whiskey drinker (I’ve previously found it too harsh). However, I’m not into straight booze, so I think I’d prefer it watered down or mixed. It looks to be available locally and is quite affordable. I wouldn’t mind trying this again. Being sweeter, it reminds me of what flavored sweetened vodka is to plain vodka.

Maeloc Cider (Galithia Spain) Dry (4.8% ABV) – This is a commercial Spanish Sidra. Semi-dry to semi-sweet (despite the “Dry” name). Medium bodied. Mild sourness and funk. Notes of citrus and green apple. It is a more approachable Sidra, a style I’m still learning to acquire a taste for. I learned they use apples from within 50 miles of the cidery, grown in a damp climate similar to the PNW, and use wild yeast fermentation for all their ciders. Overall it was ok.

Montana CiderWorks (Darby MT) Spartan Dry-Style (5.5% ABV) – This is a small batch oak aged single varietal made with Montana-grown Spartan apples, in the style of Northern Italy’s Sauvignon Blanc. Dry. Light bodied. Nuanced and wine-like, with high acidity, and sharp green apple, herbal, and baked apple notes. It was nice, but I prefer their fuller flavored Darby Pub cider. This is a wine-lovers cider.

Moonlight Meadery (Londonderry NH) Crimes of Passion (4.1% ABV) – A black currant seasonal cider. Semi-dry. Light sourness. Moderate tartness and acidity. Mild to moderate black currant flavor intensity. I enjoyed it, although without the sourness I would have enjoyed it more. I was excited to learn they will soon be offering their How Do You Like Them Little Apples cider in cans (currently all their ciders are draft-only), starting in October/November, including in the Seattle area.

Nectar Creek (Corvallis Oregon) Honeycone (6.9% ABV) – This is a hopped mead (no apples, just honey and water). The smell is all hops, no honey. Semi-dry. Mild flavor intensity with more hops than honey. I found this sessionable lightly carbonated mead to be lacking the full flavor I enjoy in the higher ABV sweeter meads.

Number Six Cider (Seattle WA) Peach Fuzz (6.5% ABV) – This was their fruit cider challenge entry, a spiced peach cider. Semi-dry. Very full bodied (chunky and smoothie-like). Low peach flavor and moderate to high spice intensity. It was a bit too strange for my liking as it was so full bodied, and overly spiced.

NV Cider (East Wenatchee WA) Watermelon Raspberry (unknown ABV) – This perry (no apples) with watermelon and raspberry was their fruit cider challenge entry, and was served through a watermelon. Semi-sweet. Light bodied. Moderately flavorful, but with more raspberry than watermelon notes, and no pear. I prefer their watermelon perry without the raspberry. Both however are refreshing options.

Reverend Nat’s (Portland Oregon) Sour Cherry (7.2% ABV) – This cider was made from granny smith apples, with pie cherry juice which was soured, pear juice, and “hint” of ghost chili peppers. Semi-dry. Moderate cherry flavor. Low sourness. Low to moderate heat/spiciness from the ghost chili peppers. I liked the cherry portion of the cider, but spicy ciders aren’t my thing (and a bit of a palate killer too). I’d love to see this without the spiciness (which I believe was new for this year).

Reverend Nat’s (Portland Oregon) The Passion (6.9% ABV) – Cider with passion fruit juice, coconut, and vanilla. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Mild sourness. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. Strong passion fruit flavor with hints of vanilla, pineapple, and coconut. I really enjoyed it. I liked how fruity it was without being too sweet. I had heard this was very sour so I hadn’t got around to trying it, but I wish I had sooner! I wonder if they did away with the sour aspect this year, as I really didn’t pick up any. I’ll have to try this again to see if my sour taste buds were busted when I tried it.

Reverend Nat’s (Portland Oregon) Whiskey Barrel Aged Golden Russet with Black Currant (9.5% ABV) – This is Wandering Aengus’ Golden Russet cider with black currant puree from Oregon Fruit Products, aged for 6 months in whiskey barrels. It was made for the Portland and Seattle Cider Summits, but will be a Tent Show cider club release in October. Semi-dry. Moderate tartness and acidity. Mild tannins and bitterness. Moderate barrel and spirit influence. Awesome! I really loved this cider. I usually find berry ciders to be boring, but when barrel aged, they can be amazing. This reminded me of Alpenfire Calypso and Apocalypso, except more boozy, and whiskey not rum barrel aged. Too bad they weren’t selling bottles of this at the event, as I would have picked some up.

Sea Cider (Saanichton, B.C., Canada) Ruby Rose (9.9% ABV) – This summer seasonal is made with rhubarb and rose hips. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Mild to moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. Intensely fruity, with floral, rhubarb, strawberry, and watermelon notes. I really liked it! Oddly enough I didn’t find it too boozy, despite being 9.9% ABV.

Sea Cider (Saanichton, B.C., Canada) Witch’s Broom (9.9% ABV) – I got a taste from the first bottle poured in the U.S. of this fall seasonal. It was described as a “bouquet of pumpkin patch spices”. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. It was moderately spiced with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and baked apple. Mild tannins, bitterness, tartness, and acidity. Cinnamon was the most present, both in the nose and the finish. One of my favorite spiced ciders, but I’m not usually a huge fan of them.

Both of these ciders from Sea Cider are part of their Canadian Invasion Series, meant to draw attention to invasive species and their threat to farms and natural areas.

Seattle Cider (Seattle Washington) City Fruit (6.3% ABV) – This is a special release cider only sold at Whole Foods, made using apples collected in the Seattle community by the non-profit City Fruit. Dry to semi-dry. Wine-like and acid forward. Notes of red grape and mineral. Overall very mild flavor intensity. This is a wine-lovers cider, and would pair well with food.

Steelhead Cider (Manson WA) Chimera Cherry Apple (5.5% ABV) – This is a newer cidery who just started distributing (at least kegs) in the Seattle area. I previously tried their Peargatory. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Moderate to strong real cherry flavor. It was sweeter than I prefer, but I liked the intense cherry flavor.

Summit Cider – I’ll add a bit about them as they aren’t yet distributed in Western Washington (only Idaho and Eastern Washington). This cidery was started in 2014, making them the first in Idaho, and the only in Coeur d’Alene. Their bestseller is Apricot, although of late their Hibiscus cider has been popular with wine drinkers. They have a tap room in Coeur d’Alene. I met co-founder Davon Sjostrom, who has a background in Botany, which I imagine brings something new to cidermaking.

Summit Cider (Coeur d’Alene Idaho) Apple (6.5% ABV) – Semi-dry. Low tartness and acidity. Low to moderate apple flavor. Rather plain, but likeable.

Summit Cider (Coeur d’Alene Idaho) Apricot (6.5% ABV) – Semi-dry. Lots of (true) apricot flavor for the level of dryness (typically drier ciders have a less intense flavor than sweeter ciders). I really enjoyed it. Davon described testing out many varieties of apricots to find the one whose flavor came across best in cider.

Summit Cider (Coeur d’Alene Idaho) Hibiscus (6.9% ABV) – Semi-dry with nuanced light floral and herbal notes. I can see why this would be a wine-lovers cider.

Summit Cider (Coeur d’Alene Idaho) Blackberry (unknown ABV) – This was their fruit cider challenge entry. I found it semi-dry and very mild in flavor. I think with some barrel aging it would have been nice though.

In Summary

My Favorite Cider – Reverend Nat’s Whiskey Barrel Aged Black Currant

Other Favorite Ciders – Reverend Nat’s The Passion, Summer Cider Apricot, Sea Cider Ruby Rose, and Steelhead Cherry

Most Interesting Cider – One Tree’s PB&J cider, a raspberry cider with peanut butter whipped cream (I didn’t try it, but a photo is available here – more dessert than cider).

Other Interesting Ciders – Reverend Nat’s Sour Cherry, due to the use of ghost chili peppers. Schilling’s Grumpy Bear, due to the use of coffee and a Nitro can (my tasting notes here). Schilling’s Sour Raspberry Smoothie, due to its high viscosity (apparently for some of their ciders with high fruit content, they have a keg or two per batch which are smoothie-like). Apple Outlaw’s Chocolate Raspberry, due to the use of chocolate in a cider (I’ve only heard of Woodchuck doing this previously). 1o1 Ciderhouse Black Dog, due to the use of activated charcoal (poured last year, with my tasting notes here).

Schilling Cider House Visit 20 Tasting Notes

September 9, 2016October 8, 2017 cidersays Christian Drouin, Greenwood, Red Tank, Rev Nat's, review, Schilling, Seattle Cider, Steelhead cider, cider bar, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, seattle, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my 20th visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

<can’t beat 32 cider taps!>

I was there on Labor Day for a random visit, since I had the day off work. I started with a flight.

Steelhead (Manson WA) Peargatory (Vanilla Pear), 5.5%: This is from a brand new cidery, and available in bottles as well. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Pear-forward, with green apple, pineapple, and mineral notes. I didn’t notice the vanilla, but I didn’t know about it until I looked it up later either. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. High sessionability. High pear flavor. Low complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. Pretty good (I definitely preferred it over Red Tank’s as it was more flavorful).

Greenwood (Seattle WA) Lavender Blackberry, 7.4%: This is a draft-only release. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of lavender, blackberry, and a weird herbalness. Low flavor intensity. Low complexity. Moderate sessionability. No apple flavor. I didn’t care for this one.

Red Tank (Bend OR) Tropical, 5.8%: This appears to be a draft-only release. Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of pineapple and green apple. Low flavor intensity. Low complexity. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. I thought this was ok, but needed more flavor.

Red Tank (Bend OR) Pear Bear, 5.8%: This appears to be a draft-only release. Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Pear and pineapple notes. Long boozy finish. High sessionability. Low to moderate pear flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity. The flavor was a bit weird on this one.

Seattle Cider (Seattle WA) Gin Botanical, 6.5%: This seasonal release is also available in bottles. Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Light herbal flavor from the gin botanicals. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Low flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Not bad; I can see why its popular.

Christian Drouin (Rouen Normandy France) Pays d’Auge, 4.5%: This is also available in bottles, made from cider apples, and wild yeast fermented. Smells rich and a bit funky. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light to medium bodied, frothy and foamy. Low tartness and acidity. Low sourness, funk, tannins, and bitterness. Notes of bittersweet apples, brown sugar, and orange. Moderate to high apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity. Great! I was expecting more sourness and funk, but it was quite tolerable.

Reverend Nat’s Revival Dry: Although this shares the name with their popular sweeter Revival variety, its quite different…2/3 English & French bittersweet and 1/3 American heirloom varieties, partial wild fermentation, multiple yeast strains, and no piloncillo. Only in 750ml bottles. A friend shared some with me. Smells fruity. Dry. Light bodied. Mild sharp tropical flavor. Mild sourness, tannins, and funk. Moderate tartness, acidity, and bitterness. Low apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. I prefer the regular version. This would probably appeal well to wine lovers.

The Christian Drouin Pays d’Auge was my favorite, which isn’t a surprise as it is the only one made from cider apple varieties.

Stay tuned for more Schilling Cider House tasting notes here at Cider Says! Have you had any good draft cider / cider flights recently?

Dunkertons Organic Perry

September 8, 2016September 8, 2016 cidersays Dunkertons, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Dunkertons, England, hard cider, organic, perry

Review of Dunkertons Organic Perry from England. Perry is only made from pears (no apples). I previously tried their Dry Organic cider.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Dunkertons. 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.<<

Product: Organic Perry
Cidery: Dunkertons
Location: Pembridge, Leominster, United Kingdom
ABV: 7.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: Organic English perry

Availability: Dunkertons is just becoming available in the U.S. for the first time, so its probably not in stores quite yet, but look for it at finer bottle shops in the future (distributed through Winesellers, Ltd.).

Product Description: A delicious sparkling Perry made from organically grown, Perry pears. Though relatively uncommon, the trees are easily identified in Herefordshire’s orchard landscape by their great height and cascading white blossom; some are over 300 years old. These mature trees can very often produce over a ton of Pears. Using a traditional press and mill (circa 1930) the cider is carefully made using time honored methods. Each variety of cider pear is fermented separately, stored and then blended a year after pressing.

It pours golden and slightly hazy with very gentle bubbles. The nose has over-ripe pear evanescence. The taste is buttery & biscuity with notes of peaches plus a touch of farmyard. A creamy mouthfeel with a good balance between initial sweetness and the dryness of the finish.

Pear Varieties: Merrylegs, Red Horse, Moorecroft, Painted Lady, and Thorn

Cidery Description: We make premium award winning organic cider and perry at our Cider Mill in Herefordshire. Our success is down to our unique blending method using traditional varieties of organic cider apples and pears grown in our own orchards. We started making our ciders and perry in 1980. We only ever use the finest tasting traditional varieties of certified organic apples and pears. It is this careful selection of fruit that gives our drinks the delicate and aromatic characteristics required to be award winning.

Price: $9 retail
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Light straw yellow, slightly hazy. Low carbonation. Smells of sour citrus.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied, slightly syrupy. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low to moderate sourness. Low bitterness, funk, and tannins. Notes of citrus (lemon and grapefruit), mineral, white grape, pear, and floral. Long warming sour finish. Moderate sessionability, pear flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: Well crafted and a good value. It wasn’t to my personal tastes though due to the slight sourness. However, I shared it with a few friends who tends towards liking sour ciders and they really enjoyed it.

Fun Facts: Its often said to plant pears for your heirs, as it can take decades for a pear tree to bear fruit. Also, perries don’t ferment fully dry like ciders can, as pears have unfermentable sugars (such as sorbitol), contributing to a higher residual sweetness. More info on perry here.

Most Similar to: WildCraft Cider Works Pioneer Perry, although more sweet and less sourness. It had a subtle complexity similar to E.Z. Orchards Poire and Nashi Orchards Chojuro Blend.

Closing Notes: Next up, Dunkertons Black Fox.

Have you tried Dunkertons Perry? What did you think?

Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple

September 7, 2016September 4, 2016 cidersays review, Wyder's cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, pineapple, prickly pear, Prickly Pineapple, Wyder's

Review of Wyder’s newest cider, Prickly Pineapple, with pineapple and prickly pear juices. I’ve previously tried their other three ciders (Dry Raspberry, Dry Pear, and Reposado)

Cider: Prickly Pineapple
Cidery: Wyder’s
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT (they are from British Columbia Canada, but their U.S. ciders are made at the Woodchuck facility)
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles
Style: American commercial cider from dessert apples, with pineapple and prickly pear juices

Availability: wide release, as of August (they have a locator here)

Cider Description: An exotic duet, this cider combines the juices from both prickly pear cacti and pineapples. Tickling the tongue, each sip brings forward a light and sweet taste like a refreshing pina colada. Satisfy those fruit forward senses with Wyder’s^® Prickly Pineapple.

Cidery Description: We have specialized in eclectic fruit-forward ciders for more than two decades. It’s a pretty hyper-connected world out there, grab a Wyder’s when you’re ready to unplug. Wyder’s wants to be a part of you finding the good in life and your Happy Place. We hope you enjoy, and bring us along!

Price: ~ $2 / single bottle (runs $9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: I had been on the lookout since reading about it on Facebook

First Impression: Light straw yellow with a hint of green. Low carbonation. Smells of pineapple candy.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to sweet. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, tannins, or funk. Notes of pineapple, green apple, and a little something unique which I assume is the prickly pear juice. Quick finish. High sessionabiliy. low apple flavor. Moderate to high flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: Not bad for a commercial cider, as its a bit unique, and nice and flavorful. Definitely on the sweeter end though. I don’t exactly agree it tastes like a pina colada, but its definitely not just a pineapple cider. Side note – has anyone tried to do anything coconut with a cider? I bet pineapple coconut would be good.

Most Similar to: Other sweeter pineapple flavored ciders, such as Schilling Trouble in Paradise, Ace Pineapple and Jester & Judge Pineapple Express.

Closing Notes: I imagine this will sell well.

Have you tried Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple? What did you think?

Dunkertons Dry Organic Cider

September 6, 2016September 17, 2016 cidersays Dunkertons, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Dunkertons, England, English Cider, hard cider, organic, tasting notes

Review of Dunkertons Dry Organic Cider, from England. This is my first time trying their cider. This is one of three samples I got from them, so it won’t be the last I try.

Cider: Dry Organic Cider
Cidery: Dunkertons
Cidery Location: Pembridge, Leominster, United Kingdom
ABV: 7.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: organic English cider from cider apple varieties

Cider Description: An offering of a drier, crisper blended cider for the connoisseur, or more adventurous enthusiast. Sharp, crisp and to the point. Certified organic by Soil Association Organic Standard. Pours a red hued gold with a slight haze. Moderately strong aromas of toffee and hints of farmhouse/blue cheese character to ground it. Flavors bring tannins from the bittersweets to the fore with freshly picked apples, honey, and wisps of smoke playing strong support. Full bodied with a carbonation that makes a strong first impression before finishing with a sharp dryness.

Apple Varieties: Brown Snout, Sheeps Nose, Foxwhelp, Kingston Black, and Yarlington Mill

Price: retails for $8
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Hazy light orange amber. Low to moderate carbonation. Smells of tannic cider apples, must, orange, and leather.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Moderate to high tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of cider apples, must, orange, leather, mineral, caramel, toffee, and smoke. Long warming tannic finish. Low to moderate apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate to high complexity and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Awesome! A cider this dry and tannic isn’t for everyone, but its a taste I’ve acquired. I liked how it wasn’t too bitter and was quite complex. I’m hoping we can get more ciders like this in the U.S. as more orchards of cider apples grow up. Until then, imports like this can be surprisingly affordable.

Most Similar to: Other dry tannic English ciders. Sheppy’s and Aspall are some of my favorites, but are more entry level than this one (sweeter and lower tannins). Worley’s makes some great higher tannin ciders too, but they are sweeter. This was actually really similar to Alpenfire Ember.

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying the other two bottles from Dunkertons.

Have you tried Dunkertons cider? What did you think?

Slyboro Hidden Star

September 2, 2016August 29, 2016 cidersays review, Slyboro cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Hidden Star, New York, Slyboro, tasting notes

Review of Slyboro Hidden Star, from New York. I’ve previously only tried their Old Sin cider.

Cider: Hidden Star
Cidery: Slyboro
Cidery Location: Granville NY
ABV: 6.9%
Residual Sugar: 2.5%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American craft cider made from heirloom apple varieties

Availability: Year round in limited markets

Cider Description: Discover the secret in the apple! Cider from historic, hearty Northern Spy apples blended with ecologically grown Liberty apples, brings a deeply rooted American tradition to the modern table for your enjoyment.
Made from apples grown at Hicks Orchard, a family farm in the Adirondack foothills and New York?s oldest U-Pick orchard. Clean, crisp, aromatic and refreshingly smooth, like a ripe apple just picked from a tree. Hidden Star pairs well with Summer barbeques, Autumn picnics, Winter festivities, and Spring frolics.

Cidery Description: Named for the centuries-old hamlet that is home to Hicks Orchard, Slyboro Ciderhouse re-introduces the lost craft of traditional American ciders. Just as grapes are transformed into wine, our ciders are fermented from our own orchard-grown apples; unlocking the full potential of the apple by creatively blending a a distinctive range of delicious, award-winning ciders.

We at Slyboro Ciderhouse are dedicated to reclaiming cider – “true cider” – as America’s favorite drink. We invite you to explore and discover the flavors and delights of Slyboro Ciders. In any season, for special occasions, or to enrich the moment, “consider cider.”

Slyboro has a tasting room open seasonally, July through Christmas.

Price: $17 (which is apparently $5 more than the going price in New York)
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I previously tried and enjoyed their Old Sin, so I was game to try something else from Slyboro.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow. Smells fruity, of stone fruit and pineapple.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation, tiny bubbles. Moderate tartness and acidity. Mild tannins. Hints of bitterness and funk. No sourness. Notes of honey, peach, pineapple, mineral, green apples, and a slight metallic flavor. Long finish with some sharpness and warming (tasting higher than 6.9% ABV). Moderate apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. Low sessionability.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it, although I prefer their Old Sin (which is richer). This is a nice summery cider in flavor, although not sessionable.

Most Similar to: Eve’s Beckhorn Hollow (although Hidden Star is sweeter and more fruity). It even reminded me a bit of ciders which used some crabapples (such as Raven’s Moon and Dragon’s Head Columbia Crab), as it had a sharp flavor. It also seemed a bit boozy, especially in the finish, like something Sea Cider or Eaglemount would make.

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying more from Slyboro, and the East Coast / New York in general. I have seen two more varieties from them locally.

Have you tried Slyboro Hidden Star? What did you think?

Scandinavian Green Apple Craft Cider

September 1, 2016August 29, 2016 cidersays review, Scandinavian Cider cider, cider review, cider tasting, Estonia, green apple, hard cider, Scandi Cider, Scandinavian Cider, Vohu Vein AS

Review of Vohu Vein AS Scandi Cider’s Scandinavian Green Apple Craft Cider, from Estonia (in Northern Europe, on the Baltic Sea). I’ve also tried the regular version of this cider (see here).

Cider:  Scandinavian Green Apple Craft Cider
Cidery:  Vohu Vein AS Scandi Cider
Cidery Location:  Vohu village, Estonia, in the south Baltic Sea shore
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 12.7oz corked and caged champagne bottles (I believe a 4 pack, but it was split up)
Style:  Norman-style cider made with Baltic apple varieties in Estonia

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: What makes Scandinavian cider a unique one? Special North Europe apples blend. Three basic elements create a structure for cider – acid, tannin, and sweetness. We use our specific mix of Baltic varieties of apples, including (but not limited to) – Tellisaare “,” Alwa “,” Suislepp “,” Liivi Kuldrenett “,” Krugeri tuvioun “,” Talvenauding “, and this gives a unique combination of acid, tannin, and sweetness. The cider professionals came to conclusion that the apples for the production of the specific type of cider must grow precisely in the climate and on the soil where cider will be produced.

Cidery Description: Vohu winery, the producer of Scandinavian Cider, was built in 1967 in Laane-Virumaa county, Vohu village, Estonia, located in the south Baltic Sea shore. Variety of apples grown on the Baltic Sea shores, added to the Nordic traditions of cider producing, make Nordic ciders unique. Almost 50 years of experience gained by Vohu winery makes sure that the Scandinavian cider is consistent with both traditional recipes and modern requirements of the European Union.

In the years of Soviet power in the USSR in the small village Vohu Vein plant for the production of fruit wines he became plant-millionaire. The plant is surrounded by apple orchards with special cider varieties. Its territory is flowing river, full of trout plant endlessly supplying spring water two wells are located here. Guests visiting the factory, admire everything. And especially – competently planned and extremely streamlined production process that combines humane technology of the 18th century with modern technology. The proportion of manual labor takes exactly as long as necessary to “Sunny wine” was alive. “Chip” of the plant – is automatic line, which is the product of blending gravity separation in the filter room and more – up to the bottling line. In the cellars of the plant throughout the year to maintain the same temperature.

In the production of apple cider recipe uses a traditional Norman cider from special varieties of pears, too, is made according to old recipes of the north. Bottles of sparkling cider Scandinavian with the smell of yellow apples, green grapes and golden honey in sodas, decorated modestly in northern reserved. Juicy pear cider spicy taste reminiscent of nutmeg, but softened by a sweet creamy mousse through which emerges a weak note of lemon peel. We hope that the rich taste of apple and pear cider will satisfy the Americans.

Price: $4.99 (this has greatly increased in price since I bought a four pack of the original variety for $9.99; however, my local Whole Foods now only sells single bottles for $4.99)
Where Bought: Whole Foods
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had previously tried the regular version of this cider, and although I’m not usually a green apple cider fan, I thought I’d give it a try.

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue with a hint of pink. Very high carbonation. Smells fairly strongly, of green apples and citrus, sweet and fruity.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry (quite different from how sweet it smelled). Light bodied with a frothy sparkling texture. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of green apples (but not Jolly Rancher), citrus (primarily lemon), pineapple, and mineral. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: Good, but not overly memorable. I’ll admit this isn’t a style of cider I typically like (I preferred their richer regular version). However, if you like a true sparkling cider and love the tart acidity of green apples, this is for you. For how sparkling and acidic it was, I think it needed a bit more sweetness. Oddly enough ciders typically leave me wanting more carbonation, but I think it was a bit overdone in this case.

Most Similar to: Drier champagne-style ciders such as Finnriver Artisan Sparkling Brut, Argus Fermentables Ciderkin, and Portland Cider Kinda Dry

Closing Notes: This is a unique cider. From their website it appears they make it solely for import into the U.S., which seems unusual. They also make original and pear versions, but I haven’t seen the pear, and have only seen the origianl and green apple ciders at Whole Foods. The green apple variety seems quite new, as there wasn’t even information on the cidery’s website.

Have you tried Scandinavian Cider? What did you think?

Angry Orchard Easy Apple

August 30, 2016August 29, 2016 cidersays Angry Orchard, review Angry Orchard, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Easy Apple, hard cider, sessionable, tasting notes

Review of Angry Orchard’s Easy Apple, their newest release, added to their core ciders. It is marketed as a less sweet and easy drinking (low ABV) cider.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Angry Orchard. 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: Easy Apple
Cidery: Angry Orchard
Cidery Location: Walden NY (their R&D facility)
Cider Production Locations: Cincinnati OH & Breingsville PA
ABV: 4.2%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles
Style: American commercial cider made from dessert & cider apple varieties

Availability: Currently (since early Aug) year round in RI, WA, OR, ID, MT, and AK, and it will be in variety packs Aug-Dec 2016.

Cider Description: Angry Orchard Easy Apple is a less sweet, refreshing and easy-to-drink hard cider. It is unfiltered with an apple-forward taste, slightly hazy appearance and a refreshingly dry finish. It never weighs you down, making it the perfect drink choice for those long, relaxing days.

Apple Varieties: Dessert (Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Gala) and French Bittersweet (Dabinett, Harry Master Jersey, Frequin Rouge, and Bisquet)

Ingredients: hard cider, water, cane sugar, apple juice from concentrate, malic acid, natural flavor, carbon dioxide, sulfites

Price: n/a (but retails for $8.99-$9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Slightly hazy amber orange hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells of apple juice with a hint of sharp apples and citrus.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Hints of tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of apple juice, citrus (orange), honey, and honeycomb. Hints of richer tannic cider apple flavor. Quick finish. High sessionability. Moderate to high apple flavor. Low complexity. Low flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Better than I expected–I actually enjoyed this. It was very easy to drink and refreshing. It was very simple, but had hints of complexity (I would have liked to see a higher percentage of cider apples). While it remains on the sweet size, it isn’t too sweet for me (ie. I could actually drink more than one of these). Too bad these drier (superior in my opinion) varieties don’t make it to restaurants and bars and such like their flagship Crisp Apple does. However, I’m not all that pleased with the ingredient list (its definitely commercial).

Most Similar to: 2 Towns Out Cider, One Tree Crisp Apple, and Downeast Original, which are apple-forward and less filtered. Easy Apple also reminds me a bit of Angry Orchard’s Traditional Dry variety, which I think they discontinued, which was a similar sweetness level and seemed to have hints of cider apple flavor. The honeycomb notes reminded me of Long Drop Vanilla Honey.

Closing Notes: This was surprisingly tasty. Angry Orchard is definitely trying to keep up with changing expectations in the cider market, and they remain the market leader by far.

Have you tried Angry Orchard Easy Apple? What did you think?

Hi-Wheel Wine & Mead Co. Lavender Lemon

August 29, 2016August 21, 2016 cidersays Hi-Wheel, not cider, review fruit wine, Hi-Wheel, Lavender, lemon, oregon, portland, wine

Review of Hi-Wheel Wine & Mead Company’s Lavender Lemon. This isn’t cider, but instead a carbonated fruit wine, made from fermenting water, lemon juice, sugar, and lavender. Its my first time trying anything from Hi-Wheel.

Beverage: Lavender Lemon Carbonated Fruit Wine
Company: Hi-Wheel Wine & Mead Co.
Location: Portland OR
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft fruit wine made from lemon and lavender

Availability: Oregon and Washington

Product Description: This refreshing drink has the same lemon start as its cousin Ginger Lemon, but infused with lavender.

Company Description: Hi-Wheel Wine & Mead Co. makes fizzy wines out of fruit not typically used for wine making, such as grapefruit, lemon & lime. Brewed with culinary herbs and spices, we present a growing series of session beverages with AVB around 6.8%, such as Ruby Zozzle (grapefruit), Ginger Lemon, Lavender Lemon, & Lime Habanero.

Hi-Wheel also crafts long-aged meads, with a release of Beloved Sovereign – an herbal honey wine made with Sauvie Island honey, savory spices & citrus – later this autumn. These meads are designed for intimate dinners and connections, in tasteful packaging, and run about 14% AVB.

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had seen them before, but only other varieties which didn’t appeal to me (I’m not a fan of grapefruit, ginger, or spicy beverages).

First Impression: Hazy lemonade hue. Low carbonation upon pouring. Smells of tart lemonade with a hint of lavender.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. High tartness. Moderate acid. No bitterness or sourness. Notes of only lemonade and lavender. Moderate finish with lingering tart lemon and a hint of booze. Moderate flavor intensity. Very low complexity. Very high sessionability (this was too easy to drink!).

My Opinion: A refreshing summer sipper. No complexity, but I liked it. I would have preferred slightly less tartness (as well as more carbonation), but I imagine most folks will like the high tartness, and it only bothered me the first few sips. I appreciated that it wasn’t overly sweet. The lavender worked well and was an appropriate amount–definitely noticeable but not overpowering. This would have been quite boring without the lavender.

Most Similar to: Other alcoholic lemonades, such as from Crabbie’s and Big B’s. I think I slightly prefer the Big B’s Lazy Daze (although its actually a mix of cider with lemonade, so maybe that is why).

Closing Notes: I’m curious to try their other products. I imagine this will sell well, as altervative alcoholic beverages are popular now (alcopop and the like).

Have you tried Hi-Wheel’s fruit wines? What did you think?

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