Review of Blackfin’s Splash Semi Sweet cider.  They are a relative new cidery, since November 2015 (see this article), and made at the Blue Mountain facility in Milton-Freewater Oregon.  I’ve previously tried their Pacific Peach cider (see here).

Cider:  Splash
Cidery:  Blackfin Hard Cider
Cidery Location:  Milton-Freewater OR
ABV:  5.7%
How Supplied:  four or six pack of 12oz cans (or kegs); they are currently switching from 4 to 6 packs
Style:  American craft cider made from dessert apples

Availability:  OR and WA

Cider Description:  Fresh pressed apple blend fermented to perfection and back sweetened with fresh more cider from the orchard just before packaging.

Cidery Description:  At Blackfin Hard Cider we create top quality craft beverages from the freshest local ingredients.  Our apples are handpicked and fresh pressed within sight of the orchards from which they came.  Our ciders are created to deliver the best possible quality and value at an affordable price.  Proudly produced in the state of Oregon, we celebrate all the adventure and beauty of our beloved Northwest in each and every can.

Price:  ~$2.50 / single can (runs ~ $8 / four pack)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I had tried their Pacific Peach cider but not this one, the only other cider from Blackfin available in the Seattle area at this time.  In Oregon they also have Tidebreak Crisp Apple and Northwest Berry.

First Impression:  Pale straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells very mild, of tart apples, honey, citrus, and floral.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  Hints to mild bitterness and tannins.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of apple pomace, honey, citrus (lemon), and floral.  Moderate finish length.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate to high sessionability.  Low complexity.  Low flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  I found this to be an average cider…I found the flavor on the boring / bland side (almost watered down tasting) and quite tart.

Most Similar to:  Blue Mountain Semi Sweet, 2 Towns Bright Cider, Snow Capped Cider 6130′ Dry, and Honey Moon Ciderhead Original

Closing Notes:   I’m glad I tried this, but this type of cider isn’t really my thing.  Its ideal for someone wanting a tart easy to drink cider.  I preferred their Peach cider, as although it was also more tart than I prefer, it was more flavorful.

Have you tried Blackfin Splash?  What did you think?