Review of Slyboro’s Night Pasture.  It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Old Sin and Hidden Star.

Cider:  Night Pasture
Cidery:  Slyboro
Cidery Location:  Granville NY
ABV:  8.0%
How Supplied:  750ml corked bottles
Style:  American artisan cider from heirloom & cider apple varieties, still, dry

Availability:  Currently sold out for the year, but typically sold year-round, in limited markets

Cider Description:  Subtly complex, dry, with hints of spice and caramel, made from Golden Delicious, English Bittersweet varieties and Northern Spy apples. Named after our oldest orchard, where earlier farmers once turned out their livestock at the end of the workday. Now a favorite spot for painters, dancers, apple pickers, skiers and red foxes.

Cidery Description:  Named for the centuries-old hamlet that is home to Hicks Orchard, Slyboro Ciderhouse re-introduces the lost craft of traditional American ciders. Just as grapes are transformed into wine, our ciders are fermented from our own orchard-grown apples; unlocking the full potential of the apple by creatively blending a a distinctive range of delicious, award-winning ciders. We at Slyboro Ciderhouse are dedicated to reclaiming cider – “true cider” – as America’s favorite drink. We invite you to explore and discover the flavors and delights of Slyboro Ciders. In any season, for special occasions, or to enrich the moment, “consider cider.”

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

Price:  $10 (50% off of $20, although the cidery lists it for $11.99, now sold out)
Where Bought:  Downtown Spirits in Seattle WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I visited the store for a cider class taught by Rev Nat during WA Cider Week 2017, and stocked up on all the awesome ciders on their 50% off shelf.  Unfortunately the higher end ciders from cider apples can sell slowly even where cider is popular, such as here in the Seattle area.

First Impression:  Dark straw yellow hue, with some particulates.  Still (no carbonation).  Smells mild, of rich caramel and earth.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of dry (but that was just perceived, likely due to the ‘juiciness’, as their website says 0% residual sugar).  Light bodied.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate acidity.  Low tannins.  Hints of bitterness and funk.  No sourness.  Notes of caramel, earth, smoke, wax, cork, lemon, and a hint of herbs.  Long slightly warming acidic finish.  Low to moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, and sessionability.  Moderate to high complexity.

My Opinion:  I liked it.  This was much more doable for me than many of the other dry East Coast ciders I’ve tried, which tend to be much more acidic and less intense in flavor than the Washington ciders I am used to.  This would be very food friendly, and likely appeal to wine lovers as well.  It had a really unique flavor profile.

Most Similar to:  Understood in Motion 02 and Farnum Hill Kingston Black

Closing Notes:  My favorite from Slyboro remains their Old Sin, due to its higher flavor intensity, richness, and sweetness.

Have you tried Slyboro Night Pasture?  What did you think?