Florence Loisel Cidre Breton “Gosne”

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 cidersays Florence Loisel, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cidre, cidre breton, Florence Loisel, french cider, French cidre, hard cider

Review of Florence Loisel Cidre Breton “Gosne”, from Brittany France. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery, but I’ve tried a number of other French cidres (like these).

Cider: “Gosne”
Cidery: Florence Loisel
Cidery Location: Noyal sur Vilaine, Brittany, France
ABV: 4.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottles
Style: French cidre

Availability: semi wide release, imported by Petit Monde Wine Merchant

Description: none given, besides that this is a Brut (dry) French apple cider

Price: $10
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland OR
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. This was one of the many ciders I picked up when I was there for Cider Rite of Spring (see here).

First Impression: Light yellow amber hue. Moderate to high carbonation. Smells apple-forward, acidic & fruity, with a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of heirloom, crab, & green apples, lemon, stone fruit, pineapple, and mineral. Moderate length finish, mostly lingering carbonation on the palette. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, complexity, and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it – drier than most French cidres (it actually held true to the “Brut” label), and fruity (no significant cider apple flavor or richness).

Most Similar to: The flavor notes and carbonation were similar to Bertolinos (from Italy), but that was less acidic and slightly sweeter. Also, E.Z. Orchards Roman Beauty, Domaine Pacory Poire Domfront, Snowdrift Cliffbreaks Blend, Scandinavian Green Apple Cider, and Dragon’s Head Columbia Crab.

Closing Notes: This is one of the most unusual French cidres I’ve tried – it strayed from the typical course, but the flavor was nice – a perfect cider for warm weather. I found it more “American” than French style though.

Have you tried French cidre? What did you think?

Cider Says turns two years old!

June 21, 2017June 16, 2017 cidersays misc anniversary, birthday, blog, cider, cider blog, hard cider

A big thank you to my readers for helping Cider Says reach a new milestone, its second anniversary! I’ve really enjoyed sharing my cider journey with all of you. Its been fun, and I look forward to more years of blogging. In the past year I’ve made over 200 posts, and had 35,000 visitors. The majority are from the U.S., but folks from several dozen other countries have visited as well (Canada and the UK are the next two most common). This summer I’ll be attending several cider tasting events (including the epic Cider Summit Seattle!), so look forward to some awesome posts here.

Sandford Orchard Straw & Oak

June 19, 2017June 11, 2017 cidersays review, Sandford Orchards cider, cider review, cider tasting, England, English Cider, hard cider, Sandford Orchards, Straw & Oak, Straw and Oak, tasting notes

Review of Sandford Orchards Straw & Oak, an English cider from cider apples pressed through straw, then oak barrel aged. It is my first time trying this cider, although I’ve previously had The General and Chestnut Cask from this cidery, and English ciders are a favorite of mine.

Cider: Straw & Oak
Cidery: Sandford Orchards
Cidery Location: Crediton UK
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: English cider from cider apples, pressed through straw, oak barrel aged

Availability: semi wide release, imported into the U.S. by B. United International Inc. out of Oxford CT (the cidery also has an online store if you are in England)

Cider Description: Pressed through wheat reed and barley straw in 2013 this cider is full of fresh grapefruit, pear and elderflower aroma and has developed a superb astringent, mature oak finish. (aged for one year in oak barrels)

Apple Varieties: Harry Masters Jersey, Michelin, and Browns

Cidery Description: Sandford Orchards is craft cider producer from the heart of idyllic, rural Devon. Our methods are simple and so is our ethos: we only bottle the best. We are enormously proud to have been recognised for our endeavours. We are a family business full of passion for our products, we believe that Devon ciders and juices are the best in the world – we want you to taste them!

This appears to be a for-export-only cider variety for them. Sandford Orchards was founded in 2003, so they are well-established, but not one of the very old English cideries (like Aspall and Sheppy’s).

Price: $6.85
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland Oregon
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Medium amber hue. Low carbonation. Smells rich, of caramel and bittersweet apples.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry. Light bodied. Moderate to high tartness and acidity. Low to moderate bitterness. Moderate tannins. Low funk. Hints of sourness. Notes of orange, grapefruit, leather, caramel, must, oak, earthiness, and bittersweet apples. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, and flavor intensity. High complexity. Low oak flavor.

My Opinion: I loved the flavor notes of this cider, but didn’t enjoy the bitterness and mouth-puckering tartness/acidity. More sweetness probably could have balanced out those qualities. Pressing through straw added a unique twist to this one, and there was an interesting combination of tart fruitiness with richness.

Closing Notes: Imported English ciders can be an awesome value, and I’m always on the lookout for new ones to try. However, I prefer English ciders more like Dunketons, Aspall, and Sheppy’s.

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

Worley’s Special Reserve

June 14, 2017June 9, 2017 cidersays review, Worley's cider, cider review, cider tasting, English Cider, hard cider, keeved, Special Reserve, tasting notes, worley's

Review of Worley’s Special Reserve, a keeved English cider (a process more common with French cidre, and which makes a naturally sweet and sparkling cider). I previously tried this at Cider Summit Seattle 2015 (see here), but wanted to give it another go. I’ve also tried Worley’s other two ciders which are available in the U.S., Premium Vintage and Mendip Hills.

Cider: Special Reserve
Cidery: Worley’s
Cidery Location: Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK
ABV: 5.4%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottle
Style: English craft cider from cider apples, keeved, medium sweet, naturally sparkling

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: Worley’s Special Reserve is made from 100% pure cider apple juice using the ancient art of keeving. This creates a naturally sparkling cider of outstanding fruity character with subtle undertones of caramel. It has a sweetness and rounded tannins lifted by a long-lasting carbonation. Bottle-conditioning results in a natural sediment. Store and chill upright and pour with care to leave sediment in the bottle.

Cidery Description: A hobby that got out of control. We first made cider as a bit of fun for ourselves and our friends. Now here we are nearly a decade later and we’re still having fun but we’re making a lot more cider! Our first experience of making was when we bought 50 gallons of juice off the farm press from the iconic Roger Wilkins in Mudgely, Somerset. We made the mistake of adding in a bit of sugar and ended up with 10.5% cider. It was lethal and one of the neighbours spent a few hours in a ditch as a result of downing a couple of pints. Lesson learned, we began to find our own fruit in various small Somerset orchards and gradually started to master the mysterious arts of fruit selection and fermentation. A few years ago we decided if wanted to carry on making cider we’d need the cider to start making a contribution to its upkeep. So we gradually started selling a bit. Now we’re making over 30,000 litres a year and don’t have time to have proper jobs any more!

Price: $16.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: initially at Cider Summit Seattle

First Impression: Light amber hue. Low to moderate carbonation with some foam. Smells funky, of bittersweet cider apples.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied with a fluffy texture. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Moderate tannins. Moderate to high funk, especially on the finish. Hints of sourness. Moderate to long finish. Notes of bittersweet cider apple juice and pomace, orange, caramel, and barnyard. High apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, complexity, and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed this. It has an interesting mix between lightness and richness. However, I would have liked less funk (although the quality has grown on me in the last couple years).

Most Similar to: A cross between English and French cider, which are both favorites of mine.

Closing Notes: I’ve been in a big English cider mood lately, but the selection of them has decreased in the Seattle area oddly enough (seems like the imports don’t move very quickly, so the shops haven’t been re-ordering them). My favorite Worley’s cider so far is Mendip Hills, which had all the flavor without the funk.

Have you tried keeved cider? What did you think?

Gumption Cider Co. Citrus Freak

June 12, 2017June 9, 2017 cidersays review, Vermont Cider Co. cider, cider review, cider tasting, citrus, Citrus Freak, Gumption, hard cider, hopped cider, tasting notes, Woodchuck

Review of Citrus Freak from Gumption Cider Co. (part of Vermont Cider Co., which also includes Woodchuck). This is the second year-round offering from the series, along with the original Gumption (which I reviewed here). Gumption started in 2015 under the Woodchuck brand, but it branched out as its own brand in 2016.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by the Vermont Cider Co. 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: Citrus Freak
Cidery: Gumption Cider Co. (part of the Vermont Cider Co.)
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles
Style: American commercial cider from dessert apples, with citrus and Cascade hops

Availability: Year-round, wide release

Cider Description: Part prankster, part gangster, Gumption’s right-hand man is the Citrus Freak. A perfect pairing of eating apples, grapefruit, and Cascade hops, this semi-dry cider delivers an all-day enjoyable citrus experience.

Gumption Description: The Circus of Ciders. Originally launched under the Woodchuck brand in 2015, Gumption® is a bold and audacious brand which has been wildly successful with consumers. In December 2016, Gumption spun off from Woodchuck® as its own brand with line extensions including the rotational Late Show series and Citrus Freak.

Vermont Cider Co. Description: Vermont Cider Co. introduced the U.S. to the craft cider category 25 years ago. Dedicated exclusively to cider making, they are the proud producers of their namesake brand, the original American hard cider, Woodchuck, the northeast premium hard cider brand, Vermont Cider Co., the circus of ciders, Gumption, the west coast native, Wyder’s Cider, and importers of Magners Irish Cider and Blackthorn. With an unparalleled focus on quality and innovation, Vermont Cider Co. leads the category in releasing the most premium liquid and pioneering new ciders made from the finest ingredients. Under the watchful eyes of two award-winning cider makers, Vermont Cider Co. produces and distributes from Middlebury, VT, blending together the passion of their consumers, their creativity, and their heritage within the green mountains.

Price: n/a (retails for $8.99-$10.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Very pale straw yellow. Nearly still. Smells mildly of sweet citrus.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of grapefruit, lemon, orange, and a hint of citrus-forward hops. Moderate length finish. High sessionability. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity.

My Opinion: I liked the start of this cider, but after a few sips the citrus got a bit fake, almost air freshener ish, more of grapefruit extract than grapefruit juice. I was surprised the hops were almost imperceptible, but I imagine some folks will like that. I liked that they went drier on this one too.

Most Similar to: Schilling Grapefruit & Chill and Somersby Citrus Fruit (or for a more real-tasting grapefruit cider, Elemental Hydrogen)

Closing Notes: I’d love to see this go more natural tasting, then I’d be a fan, as I like the idea of it.

Have you tried Gumption Citrus Freak? What did you think?

Henney’s Dry Cider

June 9, 2017June 16, 2017 cidersays Henney's, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, dry, England, English Cider, hard cider, Henney's, Herefordshire, tasting notes

Review of Henney’s Dry Cider, from England. It is my first time trying it, although I’ve sampled their Vintage variety. I’m also a big fan of English cider in general, having tried a number of selections (see here for some examples).

Cider: Dry
Cidery: Henney’s
Cidery Location: Worcester, Herefordshire, England
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: English cider from cider apple varieties (such as Browns Apple, Michelin, Dabinett, Yarlington Mill, and Tremletts Bitter)

Availability: semi wide release (imported by Shelton Brothers)

Cider Description: Our best selling cider. Smooth, light and refreshing. Sweet, appley aroma. Palate has a delicious bittersweet apple character with some spicy bite and a bit of a tannic grip. Very fruity and quite pure, with a nice savoury twist.

Cidery Description: At Henney’s we believe that the best way to make cider is to start with high quality ingredients and to keep the process as simple as possible. This has helped us to win many prestigious awards in recent years. Each Autumn, carefully selected, locally grown, varieties of genuine cider apples are milled, pressed, and fermented. The resulting cider is then blended and stored through the winter allowing it to mature and develop a rich and mellow flavour.

Mike Henney started making cider in 1996, went commercial in 1999, and by 2013, cider production was over 250,000 gallons a year.

Price: $6
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland Oregon
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had never seen their cider, but had heard of it.

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. Very low carbonation. Smells mild, slightly tannic and acidic.

Tasting Notes: Dry (but not completely). Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Low to moderate tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of apple pomace, honey, pineapple, and stone fruit like apricot. Long finish. Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, complexity, and sessionability.

My Opinion: I really enjoyed it. Its surprisingly fruity and refreshing, yet it still maintains great English cider flavor, tannins, etc (just not quite as rich as many English ciders).

Most Similar to: Sheppy’s Somerset Draught (more in style than flavor though), Dunkertons Black Fox, and Aspall Grand Cru & Demi Sec, although all are sweeter

Closing Notes: As much as I liked it, I have to say I much preferred their Vintage (although there would be times / meals the Dry would be better).

Have you tried Henney’s English cider? What did you think?

Oregon Mead & Cider Free Press Cyser

June 7, 2017June 16, 2017 cidersays Oregon Mead & Cider Co., review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cyser, hard cider, oregon, Oregon Mead & Cider, Oregon Mead and Cider, tasting notes

Review of Oregon Mead & Cider’s Free Press Cyser (a cross between cider & mead). It is my first time trying this, although I’ve had their Dry and Hopped ciders, and I’ve had cyser from Eaglemount, Finnriver, Moonlight (Last Apple and How Do You Like Them Apples), and Stem (Blood Orange). Note that Oregon Mead & Cider used to be called Stung Fermented.

Cider: Free Press Cyser
Cidery: Oregon Mead & Cider
Cidery Location: Portland OR
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cyser (apples + honey)

Availability: Year round in Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Georgia

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: Our award-winning dry, sparkling meads and ciders are naturally gluten free, and we treat our Pacific Northwest honey and apple juice with respect: we never boil, filter, or add sulfites.

They were founded in 2013 and have a tasting room.

Price: $7.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Moderate carbonation. Dark straw yellow hue. Smells acidic and mildly of honey.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry. Light bodied. Carbonated mouthfeel. Very high acid. Moderate to high tartness. Hints of sourness and bitterness. No tannins or funk. Notes of honey, citrus, and floral. Long beer-like finish (my husband said it was like a Kolsch). Moderate apple and honey flavor. Low to moderate flavor intensity, sessionability, and complexity.

My Opinion: I thought it was pretty average. Refreshing, but a bit mouth-puckering. Its not really a style I enjoy, but everyone has different tastes.

Most Similar to: Not much. All the other cysers I’ve tried have been much sweeter. I have sampled some drier meads before, but I usually like my beverages more full-flavored, so for mead I tend towards sweeter ones. It reminds me a bit however of Angry Orchard Walden Hollow.

Closing Notes: I’ve now tried their current full cider lineup, and to be honest, I don’t think they are for me (although my favorite of the three was the Hopped). If you like a dry, acidic, and more heavily carbonated cider (or mead), give them a try.

Have you tried cyser? What did you think?

2 Towns Hop and Stalk

June 5, 2017June 16, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Hop and Stalk, hopped cider, rhubarb cider, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns’ Imperial Hop and Stalk, a seasonal release with Citra hops and rhubarb. I sampled this last year (see here), and I’ve tried most of their line-up (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: Hop and Stalk
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 8.2%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles and kegs
Style: American Imperial (high ABV) craft cider made from dessert apples, with Citra hops and rhubarb

Availability: Seasonably (May-Aug) in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL (Chicago), MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: Fresh and citrusy, Hop & Stalk packs a Northwest punch. Fresh-pressed apples and rhubarb are dry-hopped with Citra hops, creating a cider erupting with fresh aromatics and a tart, biting backbone.

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 (runs $7.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Hazy lemonade medium straw yellow. Low carbonation. Smells very aromatic, primarily of citrus, with some hops and strawberry-rhubarb.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of citrus (lemon, lime, and orange), hops, floral, rhubarb, and strawberry. Long finish with some baked apple. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity. Moderate to strong hoppiness.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it, but I liked last year’s batch better, as it seemed a tad more balanced (more fruity / less hoppy).

Most Similar to: Hopped ciders with lots of citrus notes and some fruitiness. Portland Cider Hop’Rageous also uses Citra hops, so you get more citrus & floral than bitter hops. Tod Creek Mala-Hop also had a lot of citrus notes, but used Chinook, Sterling and Centennial, not Citra hops. This is the most citrusy hopped cider I’ve tried though, and the only one with another fruit addition.

Closing Notes: Another winner from 2 Towns!

Have you tried 2 Towns Hop and Stalk? What did you think?

2 Towns Prickle Me Pink ^2

June 5, 2017June 2, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cactus fruit, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, Prickle Me Pink, tasting notes, watermelon

Review of 2 Towns Prickly Me Pink ^2 , a new iteration of the previous limited release (which I reviewed here in 2015), with prickly pear cactus fruit, and this time, watermelon. I’ve also previously tried most of their line-up (see here).

Cider: Prickle Me Pink ^2
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 5.7%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with prickly pear cactus fruit and watermelon

Availability: Seasonably (May-Aug) in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL (Chicago), MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: Exuberant & quenching, Prickle Me Pink ^2 is pink and multiplied by pink. Glowing with a naturally derived color, this taste bud oasis is crafted with Northwest apples, prickly pear cactus fruit, and now watermelon.

Dave Takush, the head cider maker said, “If you’re wondering what to pair it with, we’d suggest a watergun fight set to the tunes of Wham..”

Price: n/a (runs $7.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried this at Cider Summit Seattle 2015.

First Impression: Bright pink hue. Nearly still. Smells moderate fruity.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry. Light to medium bodied. Mild tartness. Mild to moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness and funk. Notes of cactus fruit, watermelon, strawberry, and kiwi. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. No apple flavor. High sessionability. Quick finish.

My Opinion: Yum! I really enjoyed this, especially how fruity and flavorful it was for the dryness. It was too easy to drink. I had imaged this higher carbonated, but at the same time, I don’t think it would work as well as I think it would.

Most Similar to: Nothing much. I’ve not had any other ciders with cactus fruit except 2 Towns’ first release of this cider. I’ve had a handful of other ciders with watermelon though; namely, Pear UP’s Watermelon Perry.

Closing Notes: I’m surprised they went so dry with this; however, it worked. I think this was even tastier than the last release. The watermelon was a great addition, and also helped so the cider wasn’t quite so fluorescent pink (and likely reduced the ingredient cost too).

Have you tried 2 Towns Prickle Me Pink? What did you think?

Locust Sweet Aged Apple

June 2, 2017July 22, 2017 cidersays Locust, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Locust, Sweet Aged Apple, tasting notes, washington, Woodinville

Review of Locust’s Sweet Aged Apple cider. I thought this was my first time trying it, but turns out I tried it here, although I haven’t done a full review. I’ve also sampled their Original Dry, Green Tea Infused, Sweet Dark Cherry, Washington Dessert Apple, Bittersweet Reserve, Pumpkin, Thai Ginger, Bourbon Barrel Aged, Winesap, Alder Smoked Apple, Mango, Elder & Oak, Wabi Sabi, Apricot, Berry Session, Smoked Blueberry, Vanilla Bean, Winter Banana, Chili Pineapple, Seckel Perry, and Hibiscus.

Cider: Sweet Aged Apple
Cidery: Locust
Cidery Location: Woodinville WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: multi packs of 12oz cans, and draft
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, aged for 6 months

Availability: Year round in CA, ID, OR, TX, and WA

Cider Description: We leave a blend of pressed washington dessert apples on their own and let the wild yeasts do their work. then we age it for 6 months. the result is a semi-sweet, full bodied, deep, very appley, smooth and round cider. there is beauty in imperfection. great with meat and cheese, stands up!

Cidery Description: My brother Patrick and I founded Locust Cider in March 2015 with the mission of making outstanding hard cider using the fruit that is most available in Washington- the eating apple. Washington growers produce 60% of the apples in the United States, and cider-specific varieties are in a major shortage, so we set out to put innovative spins on classic cider-making methods to bring out the best in the everyday apple.

Our delicious ciders begin with great fruit- we primarily use “cull” apples- those that are not pretty enough or are too small or large to make it to grocery stores, diverting these from destruction because their juice is still great! Our unique process then transforms them into great cider- methodical yeast selection, meticulous temperature control, slow aging, and creative and deliberate blending. -Jason Spears, founder of locust cider

Their Woodinville cidery has a tap room.

Price: $6.50 / pint draft
Where Bought & Drank: Tipsy Cow Burger Bar in Woodinville WA
How Found: This was one of two draft cider options (the other was D’s Wicked Baked Apple)

First Impression: Medium amber hue. Smells like apple juice. Low carbonation.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of apple juice, honey, brown sugar, and maybe a hint of oak? Quick finish. High apple flavor. High sessionability. Low to moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I liked this. However, it was a bit sweet for a full pint. The flavor is really nice though. Definitely a simple cider, but tasty. Perfect for a canned multipack.

Most Similar to: Locust Aged Washington Dessert Apple

Closing Notes: Tipsy Cow is one of our favorite local restaurants, and it is awesome they have cider (and 2 local craft ciders at that). However, I wish they had a drier option, as both are sweet. Oddly enough I actually liked when they offered Spire Dark & Dry, as although not dry, it is drier than this, and it goes really well with greasy food.

Have you tried Locust Sweet Aged Apple? What did you think?

Bushwhacker Cider Forgotten Trail

June 1, 2017May 31, 2017 cidersays Bushwhacker, review Bushwhacker, Bushwhacker Cider, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Forgotten Trail, hard cider, oregon, portland, tasting notes

Review of Bushwhacker Cider’s Forgotten Trail. I tried this previously on draft at their cider house (see here). My husband picked up a few bottles at that time as he liked it so much. This is the only house cider I’ve tried from Bushwhacker (although they offer some others).

Cider: Forgotten Trail
Cidery: Bushwhacker Cider
Cidery Location: Portland OR
ABV: 5.6%
How Supplied: single 12oz bottles and draft
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples

Availability: Likely only at Bushwhacker’s cider house in Portland Oregon

Cider Description: Our flagship cider, named after a trail that you may not have time to travel on as much as you’d like. This is a blend of estate grown fruit, sourced from Eastern Oregon. It comes out as a semi-dry cider, appealing to fans of dry cider, yet has a bit of natural sweetness to please a customer with a sweet tooth.

Cidery Description: We opened Bushwhacker Cider – Brooklyn in the fall of 2010 as Portland’s first cidery and the country’s original cider pub. Starting with every cider available in Oregon, we had a measly selection of 35 bottles. This selection has exploded to over 340 bottles of cider from around the country and around the world. Located in Portland’s historic Brooklyn neighborhood our small pub quickly became a place to chat with neighbors and enjoy the diverse flavors that can be found in the cider world.

Price: ~$3 / single bottle
Where Bought: Bushwhacker’s cider house (which I did quite a bit of shopping at; see here)
Where Drank: home
How Found: drinking (and shopping) at their cider house

First Impression: Dark straw yellow. Still (no carbonation). Smells very mild.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, tannins, or funk. Notes of apple juice and honey. Moderate length finish. Low flavor intensity. Moderate to high apple flavor. High sessionability. Low complexity.

My Opinion: I found this pretty average. Very easy to drink and plenty tasty, but a bit boring. Its unlikely to offend anyone, but I doubt too many folks would find it very impressive either. However, its a great local craft option which isn’t too sweet or too dry.

Most Similar to: Semi-dry flagship ciders from dessert apples, like 2 Towns BrightCider, McMenamins Edgefield Flagship, and Boonville Bite Hard

Closing Notes: This is a really interesting cider. My husband and I have tried it three times now (draft, and twice bottled, bought at the same time). It was completely different each time. The first time it was very dry and champagne-style, like my husband likes, so he picked up a few bottles to take home (and he’s not usually a cider drinker so that is saying something…). The second time, when we opened the first bottle, it was semi-sweet and rich, so he was disappointed but I was happy (I liked that version better than this one which I am reviewing). This time (second bottle), it was semi-dry and very mild. I’m guessing that what we tried on draft that time was a different one of their house ciders (maybe Alice? the hue was completely different too, nearly clear), and the bottles were from different batches. My husband asked the bar tender if they had any in bottles and she pointed us to the Forgotten Trail bottles in the cooler, but maybe she forgot my husband was drinking their Alice variety? Its an intriguing mystery.

Have you tried any Bushwhacker Cider flagship ciders? What did you think?

Wyder’s Pear Cider

May 31, 2017May 31, 2017 cidersays review, Wyder's cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Middlebury, pear, pear cider, tasting notes, Vermont, Wyder's

Review of Wyder’s Pear cider (previously “Dry Pear”). I’ve tried this before, but pre-blog. I’ve also had their Reposado Pear, Raspberry, and Prickly Pineapple ciders. They sent me a nice sampler of three ciders (plus a cool tote bag!), featuring new labels/packaging.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Wyder’s. 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: Pear
Cidery: Wyder’s Cider (part of Vermont Cider Co.)
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT (at the Woodchuck cidery)
ABV: 4.0%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles (and 22oz bottles)
Style: American commercial apple cider with pear juice

Availability: wide release (in 40 states), year round (they have a locator here)

Cider Description: This light, crisp cider presents a tangy aroma while offering a distinct pear taste, and ends with a lively mouth feel that tickles the tongue.

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: n/a (although it runs ~$9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: Initially, browsing, although this time it just showed up.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Very low carbonation. Smells mild, of candied pear and pineapple.

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

My Opinion: I enjoyed it, and can definitely see why it is popular. Its easy to drink and refreshing. This would be a nice summer BBQ type cider. It doesn’t really have any complexity though, and is slightly commercial tasting.

Most Similar to: Woodchuck Pear, Crispin Pacific Pear, Spire Mountain Sparkling Pear, Fox Barrel Pacific Pear, Pear UP Pear Essentials, Rambling Route Pear, Scandi Cider Pear, Flatbed Cider Pear, and Finnriver Pear, and Steelhead Peargatory.

Closing Notes: I’m glad to see they dropped the “Dry”, as it isn’t. I think my favorite Wyder’s cider is the Reposado Pear (tequila barrel aged), which is one of the few ciders that pairs well with Mexican food. Hopefully they continue making that one (it wasn’t included in this sample box).

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

Wyder’s Raspberry

May 31, 2017May 31, 2017 cidersays review, Wyder's cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Middlebury, Raspberry, raspberry cider, tasting notes, Vermont, Wyder's

Review of Wyder’s Raspberry cider (previously “Dry Raspberry”). I’ve tried this before (see here). I’ve also had their Reposado Pear, Prickly Pineapple, and Pear ciders. They sent me a nice sampler of three ciders (plus a cool tote bag!), featuring new labels/packaging.

Cider: Raspberry
Cidery: Wyder’s Cider (Vermont Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT (at the Woodchuck cidery)
ABV: 4.0%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles (and 22oz bottles)
Style: American commercial cider with raspberries

Availability: wide release (in 40 states), year round (they have a locator here)

Cider Description: This cider is light in body and features mouthwatering raspberry notes. It retains a dry and sparkling finish.

Price: n/a (although it runs ~$9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: Initially, browsing, although this time it just showed up.

First Impression: Light pink hue. Nearly still. Smells of mild slightly-candied raspberry.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. The flavor notes are just raspberry, maybe with hints of lemon & floral. Quick finish. Low complexity, flavor intensity, and apple flavor. High sessionability (as expected at only 4% ABV).

My Opinion: I thought it was pretty average, definitely commercial tasting. The flavor was very light and it seemed a bit watered down tasting. I liked that it wasn’t syrupy sweet though. It was refreshing and easy to drink. I almost thought this was a perry wih the flavor profile (especially as Wyder’s makes a couple pear ciders), but the ingredient list said “hard cider”, so I assume it is from apples.

Most Similar to: Woodchuck’s Raspberry cider, which is also only 4% ABV, although slightly sweeter.

Closing Notes: My favorite raspberry ciders remain Schilling Raspberry Smoothie and One Tree Raspberry. Both were very full-bodied, literally smoothie thickness, and quite sweet, but very very flavorful. I also really enjoy Pear UP’s Raspberry Perry (from pears not apples).

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

Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple

May 31, 2017May 31, 2017 cidersays review, Wyder's cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Middlebury, pineapple cider, Prickly Pineapple, tasting notes, Vermont, Wyder's

Review of Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple, with pineapple and prickly pear juices. I’ve tried this previously (see here). I’ve also had their Reposado Pear, Raspberry, and Pear ciders. They sent me a nice sampler of three ciders (plus a cool tote bag!), featuring new labels/packaging.

Cider: Prickly Pineapple
Cidery: Wyder’s (Vermont Cider Co.)
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT (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 (in 40 states), year round (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.

Price: n/a (although it runs $9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: Initially, I looked for it after reading about it on Facebook. This time it just showed up.

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

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to sweet. Medium to full 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 (kinda like passion fruit?). Quick finish. High sessionabiliy. Low apple flavor. Moderate to high flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it, as its a bit unique, and nice and flavorful. Definitely on the sweeter and commercial tasting end though.

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

Random Thought: Has anyone made a cider with coconut? I bet pineapple coconut would be fun.

Have you tried Wyder’s Cider? What did you think?

Aval Cidre Artisinal

May 29, 2017May 29, 2017 cidersays Aval, review Aval, cider, cider review, cider tasting, France, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Aval Cidre Artisinal, from France. I’ve tried this twice before; the first was a sample pour from a friend’s bottle (see here), and the second was a bottle I bought (see here). However, the co-founder of Aval replied to my review (which stated that it tasted flat) stating it was supposed to be carbonated, and was kind enough to send a replacement (actually three, smaller bottles, instead of the larger one I had originally). I’ve also sampled a number of other French ciders (like these).

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Aval. 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: Cidre Artisinal
Cidery: Aval
Cidery Location: Bretagne France
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 330oz bottles (four pack), or 750ml bottles
Style: French cidre from cider apples

Availability: At least in IL, LA, MA, MO, NY, OR, and TX (per this list). Plus I expect it in WA soon (as my friend who manages the Schilling Cider House got a sample, although I haven’t seen it carried in any store yet), and I read it is in VT.

Description: Made in Bretagne, France. From 100% pure apple juice (Not from concentrate). Naturally Gluten Free. All-natural. No added sugar. 6% abv.

AVAL means Apple in Breton, the traditional language in Bretagne, the region where it comes from, that’s had more than 1000 years experience in making cider and is touted by insiders as the best cider region in the world.

AVAL cider combines five types of apples exclusively from the region, giving the drink a crisp and citrusy taste. It’s the perfect balance between subtle sweetness and refreshing bitterness.

Here is the press release from their U.S. launch in fall 2016.

Price: n/a (although I’ve seen it in 750ml bottles for $8.85)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: Initially, browsing, but this time it showed up in the mail.

First Impression: Moderate carbonation. Deep orange amber. Smells of apple juice and yeast.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness, acidity, and bitterness. Low tannins. Hints of funk. No sourness. Notes of bittersweet apple juice and pomace, yeast, brown sugar, orange, and must. Moderate finish. Moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High apple flavor. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. This was definitely different than the other batch…way more carbonated, but also more yeasty and bitter, especially on the finish. Not better or worse, but different. More beer-like.

Most Similar to: Loic Raison 1923 Brut

Closing Notes: Some of my favorite French cidres remain Celt, Dan Armor, and Le Brun. However, I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to drink this one, especially if I found it in a convenient four pack of 11.2oz single bottles and couldn’t get Celt (which I usually stock on the house). I’d say Celt is more likely to be a crowd-pleaser and/or good for folks new to cider, but Aval is more likely to please a beer-drinker and/or someone who usually tends towards Normandy instead of Brittany French ciders.

Have you tried French cidre? What did you think?

Eden Cellar Series Guinevere’s Pearls

May 26, 2017May 20, 2017 cidersays Eden, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eden, Guinevere's Pearls, hard cider, imperial cider, Northern Spy, single varietal, tasting notes, Vermont

Review of Eden’s Guinevere’s Pearls, part of their Cellar Series (#4), only available to club members. It is my first time trying this cider, but I have previously sampled their Sparkling Dry, Cellar Series Cinderella’s Slipper, Heirloom Blend Ice Cider, Sparkling Semi-Dry, Northern Spy (Barrel Aged) Ice Cider, Honeycrisp Ice Cider, Imperial 11 Rosé, and Heirloom Blend Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Ice Cider.

Cider: Guinevere’s Pearls
Cidery: Eden Specialty Ciders
Cidery Location: Newport VT
ABV: 11.0%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American Artisan Imperial-style semi-sweet Northern Spy apple single varietal

Availability: Eden’s online store, for cider club members, 50 cases of 12 bottles. However, in general, their ciders are available in CA, CO, CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, VT, WA, WA D.C., and Alberta B.C. Canada.

Cider Description: In deepest winter’s ice and snow, four containers of fresh apple juice began their journey. We pressed this juice at Eden Orchards from Northern Spy apples conscientiously grown in Vermont by Ezekiel Goodband and Jessika Yates. As the cold set in, the water in the juice began to freeze, intensifying the sugars and flavors in the remaining unfrozen residual apple sweetness to balance this regal apple’s notable acidity. Like Guinevere’s pearls, which she gave to King Arthur as a talisman for his knightly pursuits, the precious drops of sweetness in this unique cider may inspire you to accomplish heroic deeds and win your Queen or King…or just encourage you to sip a little slower to enjoy the beauty they add to your drinking experience.

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.

Price: $20
Where Bought: Eden’s online store
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Light golden amber. Moderate to high carbonation. Smells of cider apples and yeast.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied with a frothy mouthfeel. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low to moderate bitterness. Low to moderate tannins. Moderate funk. No sourness. Notes of apple pomace, yeast, must, stone fruit, honey, and brown sugar. Long warming finish. Moderate to high apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate to high complexity. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Awesome! I loved the uniqueness, with the combination of high acidity, richness, sweetness, high ABV, and carbonation. The only thing I would change would be to have less bitterness.

Most Similar to: I don’t think I’ve had anything similar. It reminded me a bit of a French cider as it is apple and yeast forward and is fizzy. However, it is more acidic and fruity and has a higher ABV.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got a chance to try this. Its an excellent value too. I also picked up some Sparkling Semi-Dry and Heirloom Blend Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Ice Cider at the same time which I have to look forward to.

Have you tried Eden Guinevere’s Pearls? What did you think?

Crispin Bourbon Char

May 24, 2017May 13, 2017 cidersays Crispin barrel aged, Bourbon Char, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Crispin, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Crispin Bourbon Char, a bourbon cask aged cider with smoked maple syrup. It is my first time trying this, although I have had their Original, Pacific Pear, Blackberry Pear, The Saint, Bohemian, Honeycrisp, Venus Reigns, Steeltown, 15 Men, and Browns Lane.

Cider: Bourbon Char
Cidery: Crispin
Cidery Location: Colfax CA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles
Style: American commercial cider from dessert apples, bourbon cask aged, with smoked maple syrup

Availability: wide release

Cider Description: Rising aroma of bourbon over charred oak with sweet hickory notes. Silky on the Tongue and full of Kentucky character, this cask-aged apple cider is finished with smoked maple syrup, imparting a delicate kiss of smoke and brown sugar.

Cidery Description: The Crispin Cider Company crafts super premium hard apple and pear ciders using blends of fresh-pressed apples and pears. The Classic Line consists of: Original, Brut, Pacific Pear and Blackberry Pear. The unfiltered Artisanal Reserve^® line consists of: Honey Crisp and The Saint. The Crispin Cider Company also imports a classic English dry cider, Browns Lane. The Crispin Cider Company is based in Colfax, California.

Price: $8.50
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland OR
Where Drank: home
How Found: I had heard of this when it came out in October 2016, but hadn’t been able to find it in Seattle.

First Impression: Hazy dark straw yellow hue. Nearly still (very low carbonation). Smells of unfiltered apple juice, maple, honey, and a hint of bourbon.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of unfiltered apple juice, honey, maple, brown sugar, bourbon, lemon, and oak. Quick finish. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity, complexity, and apple flavor. Low barrel influence and bourbon influence.

My Opinion: I enjoyed this. However, I was hoping for a more intense bourbon, oak, and maple profile. It had more honey than anything else for me. It was expectedly slightly commercial (not as refined) tasting.

Most Similar to: Crispin The Saint and Crispin 15 Men

Closing Notes: This was pretty on par with my expectations. It is always nice to try new ciders. I think better quality cider can be had for the money. However, a lot of folks don’t have access to craft cider, and for them, this would be a good option as a step up from their regular line of ciders.

Have you tried Crispin Bourbon Char? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 27 Tasting Notes

May 22, 2017May 12, 2017 cidersays Anthem, Aspall, Cockrell, Elemental, Finnriver, Jester & Judge, Locust, One Tree, review, Schilling cider, cider bar, cider flight, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my 27th 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 Sunday afternoon, with my husband and a friend from out of town. The good thing about having folks with me was I got to order more ciders! I chose all the ciders for our group, which was fun.

Schilling (Auburn WA) Pippin (6.5% ABV): This is a draft-only special release, a single varietal from Pippin apples I believe. Semi-dry. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Mild to moderate bitterness. Hints of sourness. Lots of citrus! I wasn’t really a fan with the sourness and acidity.

Locust (Woodinville WA) Seckel Perry (6.5% ABV): I rounded out my flight with this, as I enjoyed it my last visit (see here). However, this time I found it sour, and wasn’t a fan. I’m curious if it was the same keg or not.

Anthem (Salem OR) Pear (6.5% ABV): This is a pear-flavored cider, also available in bottles. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Very mildly flavored, apple and pear. I found it plenty drinkable, but boring.

Finnriver (Port Townsend WA) Dry Hopped (6.9% ABV): I’ve tried this previously, and mostly ordered it for my husband. It is also available in bottles. Semi-dry to dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness, acidity, and bitterness. Citrus notes with hints of floral and hops. Not bad.

Cockrell (Puyallup WA) Raspberry Habanero (7.8% ABV): This is a popular cider of theirs, also available in bottles. Semi-dry. Moderate berry flavor. Moderate to strong level of spiciness, especially on the finish. I’m not a fan of spicy ciders, and mostly tried this out of curiosity. This was the only one we didn’t finish.

Schilling (Auburn WA) Afterglow (5.1% ABV): This is a special release, also available in bottles, made with cranberries, blood orange, and rose hips. Semi-sweet. Light to medium bodied. Mild to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Mild to moderate berry flavor with a hint of herbs. I didn’t pick up any blood orange. I enjoyed it.

We also ordered 2 more flights, with:
– Schilling Pineapple Passion (which I’ve reviewed here)
– Schilling Grumpy Bear Cold Brew Coffee (which I’ve reviewed here)
– Schilling Blackberry Pear (which I’ve reviewed here)
– One Tree Huckleberry (which I’ve reviewed here)
– Elemental Margarita (which I’ve reviewed here)
– Elemental Blood Orange (which I’ve reviewed here)
– Schilling King’s Schilling (which I’ve reviewed here)
– Jester & Judge Pineapple (which I’ve reviewed here , although this batch wasn’t so great, as it was less flavorful than usual)
– Elemental Pom-Lavender (which I really enjoyed, semi-sweet and flavorful, fruity with a hint of lavender)
– Elemental Black Currant (which I thought was good, but I like Finnriver’s better, as the flavor is more intense – see here)

We also ordered a bottle of Aspall Imperial (which I’ve reviewed here). I love that all their bottles at the cider house are pre-chilled and there isn’t a markup for drinking them onsite.

My favorite was the Aspall. After that, the Schilling Afterglow, Elemental Pom-Lavender, Schilling Pineapple Passion, and Schilling’s King Schilling.

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

Aval Cidre Artisinal

May 19, 2017May 13, 2017 cidersays Aval Aval, cider, cider review, cider tasting, France, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Aval Cidre Artisinal, from France. I previously tried this (see here), but this is the first bottle I’ve bought. I’ve also tried a number of other French ciders (like these).

Cider: Cidre Artisinal
Cidery: Aval
Cidery Location: Bretagne France
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: corked & caged 750ml bottles (and four packs of 11.2oz bottles)
Style: French cidre from cider apples

Availability: at least in IL, LA, MA, MO, NY, OR, and TX (per this list)

Description: Made in Bretagne, France. From 100% pure apple juice (Not from concentrate). Naturally Gluten Free. All-natural. No added sugar. 6% abv.

AVAL cider combines five types of apples exclusively from the region, giving the drink a crisp and citrusy taste. It’s the perfect balance between subtle sweetness and refreshing bitterness.

Price: $8.85
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland OR
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I picked this up on my trip for Cider Rite of Spring (see here). However, I ended up trying a sample of it (see here) before I got around to opening the bottle I bought.

First Impression: Still (no carbonation). Deep orange amber. Smells of apple juice.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Low bitterness, especially on the finish. Low tannins. Hints of funk. No sourness. Notes of bittersweet apple juice and pomace, yeast, brown sugar, orange, and must. Quick finish. Low complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High apple flavor. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. However, it tasted flat, like it had been left sitting open (vs. supposed to be still), but the cork was intact. I also thought it could have used less bitter of a finish.

Most Similar to: Loic Raison 1923 Brut

Closing Notes: Some of my favorite French cidres remain Celt, Dan Armor, and Le Brun, especially once you factor in cost.

Have you tried French cidre? What did you think?

Locust Cider Vanilla Bean & Smoked Blueberry

May 17, 2017May 6, 2017 cidersays Locust, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Locust Cider, Smoked Blueberry, tasting notes, Vanilla Bean, washington, Woodinville

Review of Locust Cider’s Hootenanny series Vanilla Bean and Smoked Blueberry ciders. This is a two for one review as I enjoy these ciders mixed together. Its not my first time trying these, but I hadn’t yet bought bottles / done a full review. I’ve also tried a lot of other ciders from Locust: Original Dry, Green Tea Infused, Sweet Dark Cherry, Washington Dessert Apple, Bittersweet Reserve, Pumpkin, Thai Ginger, Bourbon Barrel Aged, Winesap, Alder Smoked Apple, Mango, Elder & Oak, Wabi Sabi, Apricot, Sweet Aged Apple, Berry Session, Winter Banana, Chili Pineapple, Seckel Perry, and Hibiscus.

Cider: Vanilla Bean & Smoked Blueberry
Cidery: Locust Cider
Cidery Location: Woodinville WA
ABV: 5.0% & 5.0%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider infused with Madagascar vanilla (Vanilla Bean) or alder smoked apples and blueberries (Smoked Blueberry)

Availability: Year round in CA, ID, OR, TX, and WA

Vanilla Bean Description: Washington apples meet real Madagascar vanilla, creating what is best described as an adult’s all natural cream soda. you don’t like sweet ciders??? Ok sure, try this.

Smoked Blueberry Description: Some people do not like smoked foods and drinks. Ok fine, stop reading. for those who do, this is comfort in a drink, blending apples, smoked over alder wood, with real blueberries, this is unexpected but amazing.

We are now made up a great small team: Chelsea, head cidermaker, Ryan, cellar manager, Shenna, tap room manager, Spring, events manager, and Chris, sales manager. We are a “family” passionate about cider, and we thank you for visiting our tasting room, and being part of our family! -Jason Spears, founder of locust cider

Their Woodinville cidery has a tap room.

Price: $7 each
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: I tried these individually at Locust’s tap room awhile back, then at a tasting event I decided to try them mixed.

First Impression: Both nearly still (very low carbonation). The Vanilla Bean is a light straw yellow hue and the Smoked Blueberry is a bright purple-blue hue. The Vanilla Bean smells rather mild, just slightly sweet and of vanilla. The Smoked Blueberry is a bit more fragrant, smelling of blueberry with a hint of smoke.

Vanilla Bean Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of vanilla, cream, and hints of citrus (reminiscent of cream soda). Quick to moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

Smoked Blueberry Tasting Notes: Sweet. Medium to full bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of blueberry and grape with hints of smoke and alder wood. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

Mixed Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Both fruity and creamy.

My Opinion: On their own, although plenty good, I don’t find either of these too remarkable. The Vanilla Bean has a great flavor, but I find it a bit sweet to drink much of (although this batch is slightly less sweet than I’ve had before, but also slightly less flavorful). The Smoked Blueberry is nice, but pretty typical. However, mixed together, the result is a uniquely tasty.

Most Similar to: Not much else. I’ve had other smoked ciders, but they weren’t fruit-infused. For example, Locust Alder Smoked Apple, and the more intense Tilted Shed Smoked and Alpenfire Smoke. The closest I’ve had to the Vanilla Bean is probably Long Drop Vanilla Honey (but that has more honey than vanilla, with some awesome honeycomb notes).

Closing Notes: Combining ciders is a fun way to mix things up. I haven’t really got into cider cocktails, as to me, mixing cider with other beverages is something I would think of doing if I don’t like a cider (and have done actually).

Have you tried Locust Cider? What did you think?

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