Oregon Mead & Cider Co. Free Press Hopped Cider

February 20, 2017February 20, 2017 cidersays Oregon Mead & Cider Co., review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, hopped cider, Oregon Mead and Cider, portland, tasting notes

Review of Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Hopped Cider. It is my first time trying this cider, although I tried their Dry variety the night before.

Cider: Free Press Hopped Cider
Cidery: Oregon Mead & Cider Company
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider, with hops

Availability: Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin

Cider Description: Hard Cider Made Easy. Our ciders were born from the bounty of the Northwest and the pioneering spirit of our grandparents. A perfect balance of dry and tart, our ciders are made by the people, for the people. Press on.

Cidery Description: Oregon Mead & Cider Co. creates award-winning, dry, sparkling meads and ciders from premium Northwest ingredients. All of our beverages are gluten-free, unfiltered, and completely dry. Oh, and we never use sulfites. Ever.

They have a tasting room in Portland (see here).

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was my first time seeing anything from this brand, although I had heard of them.

First Impression: Light amber hue. Moderate carbonation with a large amount of foam. Smells apple-forward, of hops with a hint of peach.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied with a frothy texture. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Moderate bitterness. Low tannins. No sourness or bitterness. Notes of hops, lemon, grapefruit, yeast, and a hint of floral & honey. Moderate length finish. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked the level of carbonation, the frothy texture, and the flavor profile. However, the bitterness was a bit much for me. Like the Dry, it seemed a bit beer-like.

Most Similar to: Double Mountain Jumpin Jack Heirloom Cider and Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Dry Cider

Closing Notes: I liked this much better than their Dry cider, which I though had a strange flavor profile.

Have you tried Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Hopped Cider? What did you think?

Oregon Mead & Cider Co. Free Press Dry Cider

February 17, 2017February 11, 2017 cidersays Oregon Mead & Cider Co., review cider, cider review, cider tasting, dry cider, Free Press, hard cider, oregon, Oregon Mead & Cider, Oregon Mead and Cider, tasting notes

Review of Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Dry Cider. It is my first time trying any of their cider.

Cider: Free Press Dry Cider
Cidery: Oregon Mead & Cider Company
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider

Availability: Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin

They have a tasting room in Portland (see here).

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was my first time seeing anything from this brand, although I had heard of them.

First Impression: Light amber hue. Moderate carbonation with a large amount of foam (the photo above was about 30 seconds after pouring). Smells mild, apple-forward and of peach.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry. Light bodied with a frothy texture. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Hints of tannins. No sourness or bitterness. Notes of yeast, peach, and a hint of hops. Quick finish. Low flavor intensity, complexity, and apple flavor. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked the level of carbonation and the frothy texture. However, the hint of hops and flavor profile was odd, and I didn’t really like the bitterness. It was almost beer-like.

Most Similar to: Double Mountain Jumpin Jack Heirloom Cider

Closing Notes: I also picked up this cidery’s hopped cider (the only other cider from the cidery the bottle shop had).

Have you tried Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Dry Cider? What did you think?

Devoto Orchards 1976 Semi-Dry Cider

February 15, 2017February 15, 2017 cidersays Devoto california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Devoto, hard cider, orchard, Sebastopol, tasting notes

Review of Devoto Orchards 1976 Semi-Dry cider. It is my first time trying any of their cider. I picked up this bottle in California over Christmas break. Here is an article about the cidery.

Cider: 1976 Semi-Dry cider (2014 harvest)
Cidery: Devoto Orchards
Cidery Location: Sebastopol CA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 750ml clear glass screw-top wine bottle
Style: American Organic craft cider from heirloom apples

Availability: only in Northern California and a few online retailers (see here)

Cider Description: 1976 is a homage to the year Stan & Susan Devoto left Berkeley to move ‘back to the land’ and planted our family’s first orchard in west Sonoma County. Visionaries of their time, they valued biodiversity and cultivated vegetables, flowers, and 55 heirloom apple varieties that we still grow today. Every year to honor them, we craft a small batch of this special semi-dry cider blended from those original apple varieties they planted almost 40 years ago.

Profiles: Aromas of ripe tropical fruit lead to a creamy texture and lush fruit on the palate finished with soft tannins.
Pairings: green curry, spicy Vietnamese noodle soup, ceviche, green papaya salad, bean salads and stews, anything good and spicy.
Cheese Pairings: Meadow Creek Mountaineer (VA), Consider Bardwell Rupert (VT), Thistle Hill Tarentaise (VT)
Apple Blend: Pink Pearl, Gravenstein, Hubbardston Nonesuch

Cidery Description: We’re a farm and cidery in west Sonoma County. To make the best cider, your family better be, well, a tree.

Price: $12.29
Where Bought: a natural grocery store outside of Sacramento CA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was my first time seeing their cider.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells mild, of white grape, pineapple, and honey.

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

My Opinion: I thought this was average. It was wine-like and food friendly (ie. mild). I liked the flavor notes, but it wasn’t really cider-like.

Most Similar to: This cider didn’t really remind me of cider at all…it tasted most similar to watered down sweet white wine (like Moscato), as it was thinner bodied, low in flavor intensity, and had a lot of slightly sharp white grape notes.

Closing Notes: This cider was a great value for being made in small batches from organically farmed heirloom apple varieties. They also make at least two other varieties, Cidre Noir and Save the Gravenstein.

Have you tried Devoto Orchards cider? What did you think?

Cider Rite of Spring 2017 Preview

February 13, 2017February 17, 2017 cidersays Cider Rite of Spring, event cider, cider event, Cider Rite of Spring, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, portland

This year I’m excited to be planning to attend a new-to-me event Cider Rite of Spring, on March 25th 2017 in Portland Oregon. The 4th annual event is presented by the Northwest Cider Association. Cider Rite of Spring has been named “The Best NW Cider Festival” by SIP Northwest Magazine.

Date/Time/Location: Saturday March 25th 2017, noon to 6pm, at The Evergreen ballroom (618 Southeast Alder Street) in Portland Oregon; this is a new venue for this year, and all indoors

Admission: $25 or $40* (tickets sold here), which includes 8 tasting tickets and a tasting glass; this is a 21+ event only

*$40 is for VIP admission, which has the same start time, but includes access to the VIP lounge, with complimentary cheese pairings by Whole Foods and one-on-one interaction with 6 PNW cidermakers who will share a special cider offering for tasting and purchase only to VIP ticket holders

Cidermakers: 30 planned (^5 Cider, 1859 Cider Co, 2 Towns Cider House, 7Bev Corp, Alter Ego Cider, Baird & Dewar Farmhouse, Bandon Rain, Bauman’s Cider, Bull Run Cider, Cider Riot!, Dragon’s Head Cider, Elk Horn Brewery & Cider House, Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Locust Cider, McMenamins Edgefield, New West Cider, Pear UP, Portland Cider Co., Red Tank Cider, Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider, Runcible Cider Co, Schilling Cider, Seattle Cider Co, Snowdrift Cider Co, Spire Mountain Ciders, Square Mile Cider, Steelhead Cider, Swift Cider, Tieton Cider Works, Tumalo Cider Co, and Woodbox Cider)

Ciders: 100 planned

Bottle Shop: Yes – many ciders will be available to purchase bottles of to take home.

Food: Available for purchase from Wasabi Sushi

My Notes: I’ve never tried ciders from 10 of the 30 cideries (many are Oregon cideries which don’t yet distribute to Washington). My husband and I plan to make a weekend of it, driving down from Seattle on the morning of the event and staying overnight in a local hotel. The location near downtown is great as we can park the car once and take The Max or an Uber to the event and dinner.

Stay tuned for a review of the event and tasting notes!

Wandering Aengus Bloom

February 10, 2017February 5, 2017 cidersays review, Wandering Aengus Bloom, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, Salem, tasting notes

Review of Wandering Aengus Bloom. I tried this awhile back, pre-blog. I’ve also previously tried their Wickson, Wanderlust, Oaked Dry, Byrd, Golden Russet, Bittersweet, Wickson Barrel Aged, Cellar Door, and Pommeau.

Cider: Bloom
Cidery: Wandering Aengus
Cidery Location: Salem Oregon
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from heirloom apples

Availability: CA, ID, IL, IN, MI, MT, NJ, NM, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WA D.C.

Cider Description: Orchards: Hood River, OR Sweet and fruit forward “hints of tropical fruit” Pairings: Spicy food or on its own.

Cidery Description: At Wandering Aengus Ciderworks we press and blend over 20 cider apple varietals to craft our ciders. Our cider specific apples originate from France, England, and pre-prohibition America, but are grown now in Oregon. These heirloom varieties are essential for the depth of flavor, excellent body, and delightful aromatics of our distinctive ciders. All our ciders are always GLUTEN FREE.

They have a tasting room in Salem Oregon open on Fridays.

Price: ~$8.99
Where Bought: I forgot
Where Drank: home
How Found: I tried it previously

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

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of tannins and bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of honey, peach, pineapple, green apple, and mineral. Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: This is a tasty cider. It is a nice introduction to craft cider as it is on the sweeter and easy drinking end (not sour or funky for example). I liked the honey and fruit notes.

Most Similar to: Bertolinos Hard Cider and Honeywood Hard Apple Cider

Closing Notes: This is one of my favorite Wandering Aengus ciders, as it is more approachable and less bitter than many of their other ciders. I’m also a big fan of their Bittersweet cider, and their Pommeau is also amazing.

Have you tried Wandering Aengus Bloom? What did you think?

Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold

February 8, 2017February 8, 2017 cidersays review Autumn's Gold, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eve's, Eve's Cidery, Finger Lakes, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold. It is my first time trying this cider, although I have previously had their Beckhorn Hollow. I ordered a total of three bottles when they had their free shipping sale before the holidays. They ended up having to ship it twice, as UPS broke the first shipment (after it made it all the way across the country to the Seattle facility).

Cider: Eve’s Cidery
Cidery: Autumn’s Gold 2015
Cidery Location: Van Etten NY
ABV: 7.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottles
Style: American Artisan cider from cider apples, a mix of wild & added yeast, naturally sparkling

Availability: Mostly only in the Northeast, especially New York (see here), plus through their online store

Cider Description: Apples on the orchard floor layered over aromas of toffee, dust, beeswax and hay lead to a muscular and embracing mid-palate with flavors of ripe red apple, wild mint and something animalistic. The finish is an interplay between sweet and bitter, the leathery tannin full and present amidst still ripe fruit and brown sugar.

This dry, tannic cider should be served at cellar temperature: ~ 55 degrees. Pair with nutty cheeses like cave aged cheddar, savory meats like Merguez sausage, and all manner of vegetables, especially grilled.

See here for some great detailed information on the cider, including the percentage breakdown of apple varieties.

Cidery Description: The sun comes up, the sun sets, the rains come and go and the cold and the heat rotate around the years. And that is as it has been for thousands of years here in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Somewhere, on the side of one of those hill sits our little cider orchard.

Sometimes, we marvel at our hard work: “I grafted those thousand trees, I grew those apples, I built that barn, I put up that trellis.” There is honed skill and hard labor involved in growing a crop, and making good cider. But in end, what makes what we do worth doing is a sense of the magic: in leaves absorbing sunlight, roots seeking minerals, raptors hunting mice and apples in the fall.

Here is a vintage of cider, which will never be repeated, reflecting the lives of trees in this one spot for this one year. Here are ciders that are elegant, feral, and mischievous. Here are ciders that surprise and transcend. We hope you enjoy them.

Their official tasting room is at the Finger Lakes Cider House in Interlaken New York.

Price: $18
Where Bought: their online store though Vino Shipper
Where Drank: home
How Found: their online store

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. High carbonation. Smells mild but apple-forward, of acidity, tannins, and a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry (1.4% residual sugar). Light bodied, with a frothy carbonated texture. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Hints of bitterness and funk. Low tannins. No sourness. Notes of lemon, peach, green apple, brown sugar, and mineral. Moderate apple flavor. Low sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: This was nice, but a bit too dry, acidic, and subtle for my personal tastes. I liked the fruitiness and carbonation. I agree this is better closer to room than fridge temperature, as it cuts the acidity a bit.

Most Similar to: Eve’s Beckhorn Hollow (although that was slightly sharper) and Eden Sparkling Dry

Closing Notes: This is a well made cider-lover’s cider, and a great value!

Side Note: UPS is not very alcohol-friendly, as you can’t have a package containing alcohol held at a UPS Store (like you can for any other signature required package). So, if you like many folks work during typical delivery hours, you have to drive all the way out to the main facility (which is 45 minutes each way for me).

Have you tried Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold? What did you think?

Portland Cider Sangria

February 6, 2017February 3, 2017 cidersays Portland Cider, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, portland, Portland Cider, sangria, tasting notes

Review of Portland Cider’s Sangria, released last month. It is my first time trying it, although I have tried their Passion Fruit, Pearfect Perry, Kinda Dry, Hop’Rageous, London Dry Gin, Apple, Crooked Cock Scrumpy, Strawperry, and Pineapple ciders.

Cider: Sangria
Cidery: Portland Cider
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with 7 fruit juices

Availability: year round, in California (Los Angeles), Colorado, Oregon, and Washington

Cider Description: Blend our delicious cider with the juices of orange, strawberry, pear, passionfruit, elderberry, and lime, to get our Sangria cider. It’s your new favorite fruit punch, for grown-ups!

Cidery Description: Authentically crafted Cider with quality Northwest ingredients. Our business is based on the belief that good cider comes from good fruit, honest practices, and attention to detail. Our cider starts with fresh pressed juice from 100% Northwest grown apples. We then carefully ferment it, using yeast that protects the delicate characteristics of the fruit. The results are ciders that are high quality – easy to drink, refreshing, and downright delicious. That’s why we say, Drink it, it’s Good!

They were founded in 2012 and have tap rooms in Hawthorne and Clackamas in Portland Oregon.

Price: n/a (retails for ~$6.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: contacted by the cidery

First Impression: Pink hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells deliciously fruity.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of strawberry, kiwi, white grape, lime, and passion fruit. Moderate length fruity acidic finish. Low apple flavor. High flavor intensity. High sessionability. Low complexity.

My Opinion: Yum! I really enjoyed it. This would be especially great in summer. The notes of kiwi were interesting considering they didn’t add kiwi juice, but I imagine it was the combination of juices. I liked the higher carbonation level. The acidity helped balance the sweetness.

Most Similar to: Bull Run Strawberry Fields cider also had some great strawberry notes, but didn’t have any other fruits. Portland Cider Strawperry had some similar strawberry notes, but wasn’t nearly as flavorful as their Sangria. Cider Brothers William Tell Dry Hard Apple Cider with Strawberry also had strawberry, but Portland Cider’s Sangria had a more real flavor. As for strawberry (and watermelon) flavor without any strawberries added, Alpenfire Glow is an amazingly complex cider made from red-fleshed apples.

Closing Notes: This is my favorite cider so far from Portland Cider.

Have you tried Portland Cider Sangria? What did you think?

Jester & Judge Pineapple Express

February 3, 2017January 29, 2017 cidersays Jester & Judge, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, pineapple, pineapple cider, Pineapple Express, Stevenson, washington

Review of Jester & Judge’s Pineapple Express cider. I previously tried it on tap at the Schilling Cider House (see here). I’ve also previously tried their Sharp Cherry, American Apple, and Columbia Belle.

Cider: Pineapple Express
Cidery: Jester & Judge
Cidery Location: Stevenson WA
ABV: 5.2%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with pineapple juice concentrate

Availability: Likely only Oregon and Washington

Cider Description: The spirit of the Gorge is independent and fun-loving. This cider embraces our spirit and our love of little latitudes. Pineapple Express takes us where the sun is always out, the rain is always warm, and the mood is always festive. Handmade with all natural ingredients and an endless supply of Irie!

Cidery Description: We’ll bring the Jester and you be the Judge. At Jester & Judge we believe that balance is important in life and in cider. It’s the foundation of our seriously whimsical attitude. Serious about the quality of the ciders we make. No concentrates, sorbates, artificial flavorings, colorings, or other shortcuts. Whimsical because we have fun making the best ciders we can featuring local ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, which sometimes means snubbing our nose a little at traditional cider.

Price: ~$2.50 / single bottle
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried it on tap at the Schilling Cider House

First Impression: Hazy pineapple juice hue. Low carbonation. Smells strongly of fresh pineapple.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of pineapple juice, pineapple, and a hint of lime. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. High flavor intensity. Very high sessionability. Low complexity.

My Opinion: Yum! I really like this one. It tastes like alcoholic pineapple juice with a hint of fizz. It is definitely on the juice-like and simple side though.

Most Similar to: Ace Pineapple, Schilling Pineapple Passion, and Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple. I’ve also had Portland Cider Co. Pineapple, but that one didn’t have nearly as much flavor as the others.

Closing Notes: I’m a big fan of this easy to drink flavorful cider.

Have you tried Jester & Judge Pineapple Express? What did you think?

Anthem Hops

February 1, 2017January 29, 2017 cidersays Anthem anthem, cider, cider tasting, hard cider, hopped cider, hops, tasting notes

Review of Anthem Hops. It is my first time trying this one, although I have previously tried their flagship cider, Raz & Boyz, Ap-Bee-Cot, Rose Pinot, and Cherry.

Cider: Hops
Cidery: Anthem (Wandering Aengus)
Cidery Location: Salem Oregon
ABV: 5.8%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz bottles (and draft)
Style: American large craft cider from dessert apples, finished with Cascade hops

Availability: CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, MI, MT, NJ, NM, OR, PA, TN, TX, UH, VA, WA, and WA D.C.

Cider Description: Anthem Cider’s tribute to the Northwest’s love of hops, Anthem Hops is a gluten free cider dry hopped with Oregon grown Cascade hops for over three weeks. The result is a light lagerish cider with all the beautiful citrus and floral aromas of Cascade hops with a only slight bitterness on the finish. Shy of Dry. Mild Tart. 10 IBU. 5.5% to 6.9% ABV. GLUTEN FREE.

Cidery Description: We only use fresh pressed apples and other fruits, herbs sourced from the Pacific Northwest of known varieties – they are listed on every bottle and keg. To make great real cider, the varieties of apples, fruit additions and herbs matter. As does where the ingredients are grown and how far removed they are from their original form (degrees separated through processing from the farm to the bottle).

The fresh pressed apples we use provide all the sugars for fermentation and the malic acid (source of the tartness). Any and all residual sweetness in Anthem is provided by the apples we started with or the fruits we finish with. The result is a line up of real ciders made the way you expect; apples pressed and fermented.

Price: ~$3.50 / single bottle
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I’ve been getting into hopped ciders, and realized I hadn’t tried this one.

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue. Very low carbonation. Smells mild, of hops, citrus, and floral.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. Moderate bitterness. Hints of tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of lemon, grapefruit, hops, green apple, mineral, and a hint of floral. Moderate to long finish. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor, and complexity.

My Opinion: I liked the flavor, but it was a bit too bitter for my preferences.

Most Similar to: Square Mile Spur & Vine and Incline Explorer (although both are less bitter)

Closing Notes: Hopped ciders have really grown on me. I like the citrus flavors they impart, and especially enjoy them when they aren’t bitter.

Side Note: After purchasing it, I realized the bottling date was June 2015 (batch 64).

Have you tried Anthem Hops? What did you think?

Virtue Lapinette

January 30, 2017January 28, 2017 cidersays review, Virtue cider, cider review, cider tasting, French, hard cider, Lapinette, Michigan, tasting notes, Virtue

Review of Virtue Lapinette, described as a French Brut style cidre aged in French oak barrels. It is my first time trying it, although I’ve had their Mitten and Cherry Mitten.

Cider: Lapinette
Cidery: Virtue
Cidery Location: Fennville MI
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American French-style barrel aged cider

Availability: DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, WA, and WI (per this diagram)

Cider Description: This Norman-style cidre brut is fermented with French yeast and patiently aged for months French oak.
Lapinette offers a complex nose of both farm and barrel, with a refreshingly dry, mineral finish.

Cidery Description: Virtue is a craft cider company launched in 2011 in Fennville, Michigan, by Gregory Hall, former brewmaster at Goose Island, and co-founder Stephen Schmakel. Our mission is to make European-style ciders from fresh heirloom apples — never from concentrate — and employ traditional farmhouse production methods that include native and secondary fermentation, use of wild yeasts, and an expansive oak barrel-aging program. We partner with local family farms by purchasing the highest quality apples for our ciders.

They have a tasting room in Fennville.

Price: $10.99
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. This was a good deal, I hadn’t tried it, and it appeared to be a style I’d like (French), so I bought it.

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells of green apple, white grape, and must.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low funk and bitterness. Hints of sourness and tannins. Notes of green apple, white grape, lemon, yeast, and mineral. Moderate length finish. Low to moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity. Moderate sessionability and complexity.

My Opinion: I was expecting a full on French-style cider, the typical apple-forward type (although if I had looked at photos of the cider online I would have known better just based on the color). However, this is more of a Farmhouse-style cider, with astringency, heirloom apple flavor, citrus notes, and some sourness & funk. This was nice (I especially liked how juicy the flavor was) and well made, but not a style I enjoy.

Most Similar to: Millstone Farmgate Dry and WildCraft Dry

Closing Notes: I hope to try more ciders from Virtue in the future.

Have you tried Virtue Lapinette? What did you think?

Ratel Cider Dry Hopped

January 27, 2017January 22, 2017 cidersays ratel cider, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Ratel, tasting notes

Review of Ratel Cider Dry Hopped. It is my first time trying their cider. See this article on Ratel Cider.

Cider: Dry Hopped
Cidery: Ratel Cider
Cidery Location: Monterey CA
ABV: 7.2%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles
Style: American craft dry hopped cider from dessert apples
Ingredients: 4 varieties of apples, yeast, proprietary blend of hops (I asked, as the cider had a very unique color & flavor)

Availability: Only in California (and Double Cider’s January box)

Cider Description: Ratel Cider is a craft cider company based in Monterey, California with a tenacious desire to bring a serious, high-quality, bone-dry craft cider to the market.

Cidery Description: Ratel Premium Craft, Dry-Hopped Cider is made with four different varietals of local apples. We have spent three years dedicated to finding the perfect blend of tart, sweet and sharp apples to create the perfect cider. We ferment our cider bone-dry and add rare fruity, floral premium hops. Ratel Cider is gluten-free and does not add water or any concentrates.

Ratel Premium Craft, Dry-Hopped Cider is an exciting and interesting creation that changes with age. Like a maturing badger, as it ages it mellows becoming even more complex, taking on slight notes of citrus. The end product is a crisp, refreshing beverage with a tart kick and a floral, fruity aroma that will change the way beer and wine drinkers think about cider.

Price: n/a (I read it retails in restaurants in $14, so probably $7-$10 in stores)
Where Bought: through Double Cider
Where Drank: home
How Found: through Double Cider

First Impression: Moderate pink amber hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells of hops, citrus, floral, and a touch of fruit.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Hints of tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of hops, citrus, floral, tea?, and pomegranate. Long finish. Low apple. Low to moderate sessionability. Moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I found the flavor a bit unusual, but I guess that makes it unique. The fruitiness and odd flavor I can best describe as tea was an interesting combination with the hops/citrus/floral. This appears to be quite popular though. I liked that it wasn’t sweet, but I would have preferred semi-dry.

Most Similar to: 2 Towns Hop & Stalk, which is also a fruity (rhubarb) hopped cider. I preferred that one though, as it was less bitter, and I think the bit of sweetness helped it seem less harsh (even with its higher ABV).

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got the chance to try Double Cider.

Have you tried Ratel Cider Dry Hopped? What did you think?

Honest Abe Cider

January 25, 2017January 22, 2017 cidersays honest abe, review california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Gardena, hard cider, honest abe, tasting notes

Review of Honest Abe Cider. I received this as part of the January Double Cider box. It is my first time trying their cider. See this article on Honest Abe Cider.

cool octagonal bottle!

Cider: Honest Abe Cider
Cidery Location: Gardena CA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 750ml flip-top bottles
Style: American craft flagship cider made from dessert apples, with honey added

Availability: In California, and through their website (plus in the January Double Cider box)

Cider Description: This award-willing cider is made with only locally-sourced ingredients. Additionally, there are no added preservatives, colorings, or pasteurization, making Honest Abe Cider a real, artisanal, craft cider….Champagne yeast with a touch of golden Southern California honey. Dry and crisp with a slight honey finish.

Cidery Description: Honest Abe hard cider traces its roots back to old family traditions in parts of Kentucky where Prohibition era laws ban alcohol still to this day. Our cider was born of necessity and resourcefulness and carried on for generations by a passion for quality. The recipes are steeped in tradition and the tastes refined by the warm Southern California sunshine. Made with fresh and local ingredients and Honest values…just the way you want it to be.

Honest Abe Cider has a tasting room in Gardena CA.

Price: n/a (but retails for $13.99)
Where Bought: through Double Cider
Where Drank: home
How Found: through Double Cider

First Impression: Hazy moderate pumpkin amber hue. Low carbonation. Smells of fresh unfiltered apple cider and honey.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of unfiltered apple juice, honey, orange, and grapefruit. High apple flavor, juice-like. High sessionability. Well-hidden ABV. Moderate to high flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: This was a nice easy drinking cider which I imagine has wide appeal. It would make a great introduction to craft cider as it is easy to drink (not tannic, sour, funky, etc) and on the sweeter end of the spectrum. I enjoyed the apple juice and honey flavor. I think this would make a good multi-pack cider.

Most Similar to: Ciders which have unfiltered apple juice flavor and are sweeter, such as Downeast Original Blend and JK’s Scrumpy Orchard Gate (although not as sweet)

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying the other selection from Double Cider, Ratel Cider Dry Hopped.

Have you tried Honest Abe cider? What did you think?

Double Cider Review

January 23, 2017January 19, 2017 cidersays Double Cider, honest abe, ratel cider, review cider, Cidrbox, Double Cider, hard cider, honest able, ratel cider, subscription

This time around I have a review of something a little different, a one-time Double Cider subscription (their January 2017 box, containing selections from Honest Abe and Ratel Cider). Double Cider is a cider subscription service, which selects and ships two ciders each month.

Order Process – Very easy. It was all through their website. It asked for all the usual info such as name, address, and a credit card number to keep on file. E-mail updates are provided throughout the process, such as at the time of order and at the time of shipment (a UPS tracking number is provided). They also have an option to give someone the gift of Double Cider. There are currently 2 options, to be billed month to month or every 3 months (which saves $4.90 / 3 months). It can be canceled at any time before the 20th of the month to not receive the next month’s cider. The website also clearly states the order deadline to get the next month’s shipment, which is great (often when signing up for a subscription it can be unclear when it actually starts).

Accessibility – Double Cider can currently ship to 46/50 states (all except Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, and Illinois). Orders ship from Paso Robles CA within the first 10 days of the month.

Pricing – For 2 large bottles: $34.95 + $10 shipping if billed monthly, or $99.95 + $30 shipping if billed every 3 months. I had a coupon for a free sample box. Although this is probably more than you’d typically pay for 2 bottles of cider in the store (where 750s of local craft cider can run anywhere from $12-20+), there is understandably a markup for the service. I also imagine they are subsidizing shipping somewhat in the price as it is unlikely it costs only $10 to ship two bottles across the country, unless you are a high volume shipper.

Selection – To be determined, as this is the first month. They have however announced the second month will include 101 Cider House Stone Fence and Mission Trail Champagne Style. So far all four cideries have been in California, but I doubt that will continue long term. With a subscription there is always the chance you will get a style of cider you won’t prefer, but that can also happen when buying from a store. A subscription is especially suited to folks who are new to cider (and still learning what they like and dislike) and/or those who enjoy a wide range of cider. I had never heard of either of these cideries in the January box.

Rarity – Double Cider focuses on ciders which don’t have a large distribution and can’t be ordered online. I really like this part as the majority of cideries are small outfits, often not even distributed out of their own state. I love trying new ciders, especially those which are very different from what I can get locally.

Delivery – Here is unfortunately where it took a downturn for me. They use UPS, which like every shipper, requires an adult signature for alcohol. However, FedEx allows the package to be held at a FedEx location (including a FedEx Office mailing center down the street from me), even for alcohol. If you miss UPS’ delivery attempts, the only option is to go to the main hub, which for me is up to 45 minutes each way with traffic. If the package doesn’t contain alcohol, UPS would then allow it to be held at UPS Store locations. I see no reason UPS can’t allow alcohol to be held at non-hub locations, as they require ID when picking up a package anyways. Unfortunately many cideries use UPS (including everyone who goes through Vino Shipper), and it is pretty much 50-50 between getting UPS or FedEx.

This is more of something to be aware of than a true negative, if you like many folks work outside of the home during UPS’ delivery hours. Double Cider’s website also clearly states that someone 21 or over must be home to sign for it, so two thumbs up for full disclosure there. Consider having your order delivered to work if possible. UPS has some for-cost delivery options, but they aren’t very helpful. Delivering on a different business day (they will try multiple times anyways) or having a 2 hour window (only between 8:30am and 2:30pm, not even a late afternoon option). doesn’t help the issue of delivery only being available during typical business hours.

Packaging – The cider arrived in a typical box, with wine bottle cutout packaging, an info sheet on each cider, and some nice additions as this was the first box (a hand-written thank you note and some stickers). It arrived safely, but the bottles could move around in the cutouts/box if you shook it lightly, so I wonder if they will have any breakage long term.

The Competition – I am only aware of one other monthly cider subscription currently available in the U.S., Cidrbox.

Cidrbox has the option to receive 3, 6, or 12 bottles a month (although with the 6 & 12 bottle boxes there may be some duplicates), instead of only 2 bottles.
Cidrbox costs significantly more, starting at $75 + $10 shipping per month (although for 3 bottles, typically 750ml unless its is a specialty variety).
Cidrbox currently ships to only 19 states, significantly less than Double Cider.
Cidrbox has the entire box of 3, 6, or 12 bottles from the same cidery (this can be good or bad, if it turns out you really like or really dislike the cidery’s style), while Double Cider offers 1 cider from each of 2 different cideries.

I have not tried Cidrbox. However, Double Cider has a big advantage on price, $44.95 vs. $85 including shipping, although you only get 2 bottles.

The biggest thing I like about both companies is knowing what you will be receiving in advance, so you can choose to purchase (or skip) the selection. Also, each offers additional backstory on the cideries and ciders.

Another Option – If you want to expand your cider selection beyond that which is available locally, but don’t want to commit to a subscription, another option is to order cider straight from a cidery. A growing number of cideries have direct to consumer sales, typically online. Vino Shipper is a popular option; it has a directory of mostly wineries (but also a good number of cideries and meaderies) which you purchase directly from. The only negative is that because the cidery ships your order (ie. it doesn’t come from a warehouse), you can’t combine shipping between multiple cideries. I have had cider shipped from cideries such as Eden, Eve’s, and Tilted Shed (they don’t have an online ordering system, but e-mail or call to confirm they ship to your state, and if so, they will send you an invoice to pay online).

Bottom Line – I was pleased with Double Cider. I am personally unlikely to subscribe every month to a service like this, due to the cost and admittedly being picky about what I drink. However, I really like the idea, and will keep an eye on the monthly selections from both Double Cider and Cidrbox to see if a certain month’s options sound interesting. Both offer an option to just order one month (by canceling to prevent the subscription from renewing), and post in advance what the selection will be, so it is perfect for me.

Stay tuned for reviews of the Honest Abe flagship and Ratel Cider Dry Hopped ciders!

Carlton Cyderworks Carry Nation

January 20, 2017January 15, 2017 cidersays Carlton, review Carlton, Carry Nation, cider, cider review, cider tasting, cyderworks, hard cider, oregon, tasting notes

Review of Carlton Cyderworks’ Carry Nation. It is my first time trying this cider, although I have tried their Black Currant Scrumpy, Sugar and Spice, Slake, First Fruits, AHH!!! Apricot Honey Habanero, Bourbon Barrel Peachy Keen, Citizen, and Impearial.

Cider: Carry Nation
Cidery: Carlton Cyderworks
Cidery Location: McMinnville OR
ABV: 6.25%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft semi-sweet cider, with cane sugar added to backsweeten

Availability: Only in Oregon and Washington

Cider Description: In honor of the resolute and tenacious Carry Nation, we craft this refreshing and unique Northwest cider. Made from a blend of apples grown in the fertile soils of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, our cider is approachable, sprightly, with a hint of sweetness – the exact opposite of the original Carry Nation. So drink to the memory of a woman who smashed bars with a hatchet – while carrying a bible. Drink to the memory of this leader who was banned from Kansas City for life. Honor her memory in the best way possible – with a bottle of Carry Nation!

Cidery Description: Family-owned Micro Cidery. We make some traditional cider. We make some modern cider. It’s all good stuff.

They have a taproom in McMinnville Oregon with their ciders and many others.

Price: $8.00
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. Its one of the few ciders from them I hadn’t tried.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells apple-forward, with a hint of tannins.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Hints of tannins and bitterness. No sourness or funk. This apple-forward cider also has notes of mango, pineapple, green apple, honey, and mineral. Quick finish. High sessionability. Moderate apple flavor, complexity, and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: This is an above average flagship semi-sweet cider. I liked that it had a bit more complexity and was very flavorful without being overly sweet.

Most Similar to: Soultree Authentic Dry Cider, Vermont Cider Co. Addison and William Tell Dry Hard Apple Cider.

Closing Notes: This is probably tied with their Bourbon Barrel Peachy Keen for my favorite Carlton cider. However, I think it is more suited for a multipack than $8 / 500ml.

Have you tried Carlton Carry Nation? What did you think?

Soultree Authentic Dry Cider

January 18, 2017January 14, 2017 cidersays review, Soultree Canada, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Soultree, tasting notes, Whistler

Review of Soultree Authentic Dry Cider, from Whistler Canada. It is my first time trying it.

Cider: Authentic Dry Cider
Cidery: Soultree
Cidery Location: Whistler CA
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz cans
Style: Canadian commercial cider from cider apples, sweetened with apple juice concentrate, with natural flavor

Availability: semi wide release

Description: We believe the old ways are still the best. Our authentic dry cider is made from genuine cider apples, sourced from an old growth orchard. So Soultree is a cider that’s crisp, natural, & real. Because for us, quality still matters. We know you’ll taste the difference.

Price: $11.99 / four pack
Where Bought: a natural grocery store in Northern CA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells of apple juice concentrate and white grape.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Low acidity. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Hints of tannins. Notes of apple juice concentrate, white grape, pineapple, green apple, and mineral. Quick finish. Moderate apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability. Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion: I thought it was pretty average. It definitely tasted rather commercial, but wasn’t too sweet, and had some nice flavor. I’d prefer this to a lot of the overly sweet commercial ciders.

Most Similar to: Vermont Cider Co. Addison and William Tell Dry Hard Apple Cider, which were slightly sweeter but had some very similar flavor notes

Closing Notes: I’m not sure if I’ll ever see cider from this cidery again, but I’d be game to try anything else they make (I’ve heard of them also making a ginger variety).

Have you tried Soultree cider? What did you think?

Clos des Ducs French Cidre

January 16, 2017January 13, 2017 cidersays Clos des Ducs, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cidre, Clos des Ducs, France, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Clos des Ducs, a French cider. It is my first time trying this one, although I’m a fan of French cider.

Cider: Premium Hard Cider
Cidery: Clos des Ducs
Cidery Location: Brittany, France
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottles (and 330ml bottles)
Style: commercial French cidre

Availability: wide release

Description: A traditional farmstead product, made with a blend of sweet, tart, dry, and bitter apples.

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I’ve seen it before but never tried it for whatever reason.

First Impression: Medium orange amber. Low carbonation and foam. Smells of sweet concentrated apple juice.

Tasting Notes: Sweet. Medium to full bodied. Low tartness. Low acidity. No bitterness, funk, or sourness. Hints of tannins. Notes of primarily apple juice concentrate (concentrated overly “appley” flavor), with hints of orange & honey. Quick finish length. Very high apple flavor. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Very low complexity.

My Opinion: I wasn’t too impressed with this one. However, if you like a very sweet, apple juice forward, and easy to drink cider, you may enjoy it. They also offer a pear variety.

Most Similar to: Other French ciders, although this is sweeter than any other one I’ve had, less carbonated, less yeast-forward, and more commercial tasting (less complex). This one doesn’t have as many of the characteristics I’ve come to associate with French cidre. For an easy drinking French cidre, I think I’ll stick with Celt and Dan Armor.

Closing Notes: I should have read the Nutrition Facts on this one before purchase, as 16g of sugar per 8oz is well over what I prefer.

Have you tried Clos des Ducs? What did you think?

Tilted Shed Smoked

January 11, 2017January 7, 2017 cidersays review, Tilted Shed california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, smoked, smoked cider, Tilted Shed

Review of Tilted Shed’s Smoked cider. It is my first time trying it, although I’ve had their Lost Orchard and Barred Rock. This cider is made with some smoked apples.

Cider: Smoked
Cidery: Tilted Shed
Cidery Location: Sebastopol CA
ABV: 8.0%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American artisan cider from heirloom & cider apple varieties, some of which were smoked

Availability: Released March 2015. Tilted Shed ciders are sold primarily in California, but also in New York, New Jersey, and Portland Oregon (see here).

Cider Description: An unorthodox cider blend that marries the natural complements of apples and wood smoking. Blend of six varieties of fresh-pressed Sonoma County organic heirloom and tannic cider apples from the 2014 harvest. Fermented to dryness in small batches, then blended with a batch of cider infused with wood-smoked apples. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, minimal sulfites. Straw gold, dry, aromatic, tannic, tart, and bright, with a light effervescence and mellow smoky finish. Like drinking a brut champagne near a bonfire. Pair with aged and funky washed-rind cheeses, pork, charcuterie, grilled meats, and seafood. Use care in serving with any smoked foods, as that can diminsh the smokiness of the cider. Serve in a white wine glass at 55°F to heighten the aromatics.

Cidery Description: We started Tilted Shed Ciderworks in 2011 out of an obsessive love for apples and cider. All of our apples are organically grown within 35 miles of our cidery, primarily in west Sonoma County. At our Sebastopol farm, we have planted 100 varieties of traditional cider apples and perry pears—a pomological research station on the edge of the Pacific. As cider evangelists, we are devoted to making ciders of individuality, integrity, artistry, and elegance. It’s thrilling to explore our unique terroir and the transformative powers of fermentation, and experience how our ciders shapeshift over time. We hope you’ll find our ciders to be a beautiful revelation of what the apple can do.

Price: $15
Where Bought: ordered online
Where Drank: home
How Found: I had read great things about their ciders and wanted to try them, but they aren’t available locally yet.

First Impression: Low carbonation. Dark straw yellow hue. Smells acidic & tannic, with hints of smoke & oak.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Light to medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. High acidity. Low bitterness. Low tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of smoke, oak, honey, lemon, grapefruit, mineral, and green apple.. Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity. Low sessionability. Low smoke. Moderate oak.

My Opinion: I liked this, although I had been expecting something more in your face (like Alpenfire’s Smoke, which drinks more like a port than a cider with its 16% ABV and intense flavor). I think I would have enjoyed it even more if it had more tannins & less acidity (such as using more cider than heirloom varieties), and even more smoke & oak. Oddly enough I perceived more oak than smoke. This is a well made and balanced cider, but more nuanced than I prefer. I agree to drink this one above fridge temperature, as the flavors become more intense.

Most Similar to: Many dry barrel aged ciders. I found it very similar to Tilted Shed’s Barred Rock, although with smoke instead of whiskey notes with the oak.

Closing Notes: This concludes the reviews of the three bottles I ordered from Tilted Shed (I also tried Lost Orchard and Barred Rock). I think I liked their Lost Orchard best of the three (which is odd as I’m a bigger fan of barrel aged oaky & smokey ciders than funky ciders, although they are growing on me). However, honestly I don’t think Tilted Shed’s cider style matches my taste preferences…they are more wine like and high acid. They are however selling some awesome ciders at awesome prices, and I’m more than willing to try the rest of their lineup.

Have you tried Tilted Shed Smoked? What did you think?

L’Hermitiére Cidre Brut

January 9, 2017January 6, 2017 cidersays L’Hermitiére cider, cider review, cider tasting, cidre, Cidre Brut, France, French, hard cider, L’Hermitiére, tasting notes

Review of L’Hermitiére Cidre Brut, a sparkling Farmhouse style cider from Normandy France. It is my first time trying this one, although I’m a fan of French cidre.

Cider: Cidre Brut
Cidery: Cidrerie L’Hermitiére
Cidery Location: Le Theil-sur-Huisne, France
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottles
Style: French cidre

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: Cidrerie L’Hermitière Cidre Brut is lively and complex, with the delicate aroma of ripe apples, leather, and freshly mown hay.

Cidery Description: This cidrerie, which sits among the rolling hills of the Perche region of Normandy, makes only pure juice ciders in the farmhouse style, that ferment naturally and are bottled without any pasteurization or carbonation – a prime example of the ancestral cider-making process.

Price: $7.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had never seen cider from this cidery.

First Impression: Medium pumpkin amber hue. Very high carbonation. Smells apple and yeast forward, with some funk and hints of honey.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied with a frothy texture and very carbonated mouthfeel. Low tartness, acidity, and tannins. Hints of bitterness and funk. No sourness. Notes of apples, apple pomace, yeast, honey, orange, and butterscotch. Moderate length finish. High apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: I really enjoyed it, with the flavor of a Normandy France cider without the sourness, and without too much funk, plus the higher carbonation level more typical of Brittany France cider, yet more complexity/depth.

Most Similar to: A milder Normandy France cider.

Closing Notes: I’m a big fan of French cider (as long as it isn’t sour). They can be surprisingly affordable too. Someday I want to go to France and try the less commercial stuff (as I assume that similar to the U.S., the large producers are the ones that have the wider distribution).

Have you tried L’Hermitiére Cidre Brut? What did you think?

Cragie’s Irish Cider Dalliance 2012

January 6, 2017January 3, 2017 cidersays review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Cragie's, Dalliance, hard cider, ireland, irish cider, tasting notes

Review of Cragie’s Irish Cider Dalliance 2012. Its my first time trying this, but I’ve previously had their Ballyhook Flyer cider. I’ve also tried some other Irish ciders, Dan Kelly’s, Longueville House Cider, and Magner’s.

Cider: Dalliance 2012
Cidery: Cragie’s Irish Cider
Cidery Location: Blessington, Wicklow, Ireland
ABV: 5.8%
How Supplied: 375ml bottles (and 750ml bottles and draft)
Style: Irish large-craft cider from Irish dessert apple varieties (60% Falstaff, 30% Elstar, and 10% Jonagold)

Availability: year round, semi wide release

Cider Description: 2012, a dry sparkling cider, it is pale green in colour, light-medium bodied with a mixture of fresh citrus and green apple flavours and a touch of fennel. It is more akin to a sparkling wine in texture and flavour than a traditional cider and possesses the same palate refreshing qualities. Dalliance is the second blend in the Craigie range of ciders and as the name suggests is a playful flirtation with what each vintage has to offer. This vintage is a blend of dessert apples and is very different in style to the Ballyhook Flyer. It was released later than the Ballyhook Flyer as it spent fifteen months on its fine lees in order to develop and enhance its aromatic qualities. Like the Ballyhook Flyer it is a sparkling cider that is very refreshing with a long, complex finish. Dalliance is a great match for dishes such as charcuterie, turbot or creamy Irish cheeses such as Cooleeny.

Cidery Description: Welcome to Craigies Cider, Irish craft cider made in County Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland. 7 varieties, 6 growers, 5 counties: 100% Irish. From seed to tree and from soil to season our aim is to express the unique characteristics of Ireland’s magnificent apple orchards. No added water, no added sugar, just pure apple juice, passionately crafted into fine, complex ciders. We make our ciders using the juice of 100% pressed, Irish-grown apples and never from concentrate. Our ciders are vintage – we make them once a year – vegan, naturally gluten free, and made from apples grown in some of the best orchards in the world.

Price: $7.00
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Light amber hue. Nearly still (very low carbonation). Smells like acidic musty apple juice.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. High acidity. Low bitterness. Very low tannins. No sourness. A hint of funk. Notes of primarily apple juice, with hints of green apple, pineapple, must, and honey. Moderate length finish. Moderate to high apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: I thought this was ok, albeit underwhelming. I was expecting more complexity, but I guess especially since it is made from dessert apples I set the bar too high. From my tasting notes on their Ballyhook Flier cider, I actually found that one more complex (and drier, more tannic, and more bitter).

Most Similar to: Semi-dry apple juice-forward simple ciders, such as Elemental Carbon. Comparing Dalliance to the other Irish ciders I’ve had, this was actually more similar to Magner’s than Cragie’s Ballyhook Flyer, Dan Kelly’s, or Longueville House Cider, as it wasn’t overly complex (although it remained drier and more craft tasting than Magner’s).

Closing Notes: I’m curious if this is a cider which is better drank fresh, as my tasting experience differed from the description (and some other reviews). However, it appears this cider was released fairly recently, probably 2015 (not 2012), so that isn’t too old. I’ll have to give it another chance sometime. Interestingly enough they only make the two varieties, Ballyhook Flier and Dalliance, and I’ve now tried both.

Have you tried Cragie’s cider? What did you think?

Sonoma Cider Winter Mix 4-Pack (The Cutter gingerbread cider & The Sleigh spiced cider)

January 4, 2017January 4, 2017 cidersays review, Sonoma Cider california, cider, cider review, Cutter, gingerbread, hard cider, Sleigh, Sonoma Cider, spiced cider, tasting notes

Review of Sonoma Cider’s Winter Mix 4-Pack, which consists of two 22oz bottles each of The Cutter (a gingerbread cider) and The Sleigh (a winter spiced cider).

>>This is a review of sample bottles provided to Cider Says by Sonoma 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: The Cutter & The Sleigh
Cidery: Sonoma Cider
Cidery Location: Healdsburg CA
ABV: 5.5% (both)
How Supplied: 22oz bottles (and kegs)
Style: American Organic large-craft spiced cider

Availability: These are limited run ciders with less distribution, but Sonoma Cider is generally available in these areas

The Sleigh Description: The Sleigh incorporates seasonal spices such as all-spice, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg combined with organic apple cider. The aromas of warm apple pie followed by buttery cinnamon notes on the nose are sure to conjure up some Yuletide memories.

The Cutter Description: The Cutter captures the best of fresh baked gingerbread – bright, light aromas of ginger, with wellrounded notes of molasses and spiced baked apples in the body. It’s the perfect companion for the holiday season.

Cidery Description: Sonoma Cider was founded in 2013 by 20-year veteran Cidermaster, David Cordtz, with his son and Cofounder, Robert Cordtz. Together they combine decades of industry expertise with next generation dynamism. Sonoma Cider handcrafts the only full line of organic ciders in the U.S., each made with distinctive, all natural, gluten-free ingredients. Sonoma Ciders are produced from freshly squeezed, organic apples in micro batches to deliver intensity of flavor and a refined experience for this rapidly growing category. Sonoma Cider offers four, award-winning “Core Ciders” which are available year-round. This includes the signature, apple cider “The Hatchet,” pear-based “The Pitchfork,” bourbon-flavored “The Anvil”, and sarsaparilla-vanilla “The Washboard”. Sonoma Cider also offers other unique flavors through the “Limited Run” series and “Cidermaker Reserve” series.

Price: n/a (retails for ~$24 for the four 22oz bottles)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: I was contacted about it

The Cutter First Impression: Medium hazy amber. Still (no carbonation). Smells lovely, rather strongly of gingerbread (starch, spices, ginger, sugar) and baked apples.

The Sleigh First Impression: Medium amber. Still (no carbonation). Smells milder, of spices (primarily cinnamon).

The Cutter Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Hints of tannins. Notes of gingerbread (starch, spices, ginger), baked apple, and citrus fruit. Long finish length with lingering spice, including a slight amount of ginger at the back of the throat. Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, complexity, and apple flavor. Mild to moderate spice intensity.

The Sleigh Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No sourness or funk. Hints of tannins and bitterness. Notes of spice (not just cinnamon, but prevalent allspice & cloves), a mild to moderate intensity. Moderate finish length with lingering spice. Moderate flavor intensity, sessionability, and apple flavor. Low complexity.

My Opinion: I preferred The Cutter to The Sleigh, which is interesting as I don’t like ginger; I liked the stronger flavor and higher perceived sweetness (although both have the same residual sugar content). Both however had a stronger scent than flavor. Both were also best when served between fridge and room temperature (which I’ve noticed with most other spiced ciders). I’m not the biggest fan of spiced cider, but I’d call these pretty average & typical of the style.

Most Similar to: Other spiced ciders, such as 2 Towns Nice & Naughty (which is probably my favorite spiced cider), AEppelTreow Sparrow Spiced, Carlton Sugar and Spice, and Elemental Seasonal Spiced Apple. The gingerbread had far less ginger than most other ginger ciders I’ve had, which was nice (and no burn).

Bottom Line: If you are a fan of spiced cider but don’t like your cider as sweet and/or desire an Organic cider, you may enjoy these.

Closing Note: I’m surprised they decided to do 22oz bottles, as it really brings up the price tag (over $20! for the 4-pack). Maybe they were thinking more of holiday parties than a couple sharing it?

Have you tried either of these Sonoma Cider varieties? What did you think?

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