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?

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?

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?

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?

Sonoma Cider The Jax

January 2, 2017September 10, 2017 cidersays review, Sonoma Cider breakfast cereal, california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Jax, Sonoma, Sonoma Cider, tasting notes

Review of Sonoma Cider’s The Jax, a limited run cider inspired by Apple Jacks breakfast cereal. This Organic cider is made with buckwheat, cinnamon, and honey. It is my first time trying The Jax, although I’ve sampled most of Sonoma Cider’s bottled lineup (see here).

>>This is a review of a sample bottle 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.<<

I love this packaging with the bright blue!

Cider: The Jax
Cidery: Sonoma Cider
Cidery Location: Healdsburg CA
ABV: 6.0%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 BRIX
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz bottles (and kegs)
Style: Organic American large-craft breakfast cereal inspired cider

Availability: This is a limited run cider with less distribution, but Sonoma Cider is generally available in these areas

Cider Description: The Jax Breakfast Cereal is part of the brand’s Limited Run series, a collection of unique flavors that express the team’s creativity and inventive nature. Hard cider made from Organic Pacific Northwest apples is combined with gluten-free buckwheat, cinnamon and honey to create this full-bodied cider. Scents of toasted grain and apple-cinnamon and the taste of sweetened honey and tart apples embody this cider leaving you wanting more. The flavors of The Jax- Breakfast Cereal make a perfect complement to Pop Tarts, mac n cheese and strawberry ice cream.

Cidery Description: Sonoma Cider was founded in 2013 by 20-year veteran Cidermaster, David Cordtz, with his son and Co-founder, 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.

They have a tap room in Healdsburg California.

Price: n/a (retails for $10.99 / four pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: co-founder Robert Cordtz contacted me

First Impression: Moderate amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells mildly of starch, cinnamon, and honey.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Hints of tannins. Notes of cinnamon, honey, starch, lemon, and grapefruit. The flavor starts with citrus, then finishes with breakfast cereal. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor. High sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: I liked it. However, this is definitely more of a novelty cider that I wouldn’t really choose to drink again. I had expected it to be much sweeter, but it remained fairly dry, which was great. The Apple Jacks flavor was definitely there, real tasting, and not overwhelming.

Most Similar to: Nothing I’ve tried. There have been a couple ciders I’ve had that tasted a bit starchy, and I’ve had plenty of ciders with honey and/or cinnamon, but this one is unique.

Closing Notes: Next up are two winter seasonal ciders from Sonoma Cider, The Sleigh and The Cutter.

Have you tried Sonoma Cider The Jax? What did you think?

My Favorite Ciders of 2016

December 30, 2016February 3, 2019 cidersays 2 Towns, AEppelTreow, Alpenfire, Angry Orchard, Aspall, Bertolinos, Celt, Christian Drouin, Cidergeist, Cidrerie du Vulcain, Dan Armor, Doc's, Dunkertons, Dupont, E.Z. Orchards, Eden, EZ Orchards, Farnum Hill, favorite ciders, Gowans, Honeywood, Jester & Judge, Longdrop, One Tree, Rev Nat's, review, Schilling, Sea Cider, Sheppy's, Thatchers, Wandering Aengus 2016, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, tasting notes

What an awesome year 2016 was in the cider world! Cider Says has now been up for a year and a half. Like other cider bloggers, I thought it would be fun to make a list of my favorite ciders of 2016. See here for my list from 2015. To make it a bit different and easier, I put them into categories instead of trying to do a top ten list or similar.

Note that I wouldn’t try to make a list of the best ciders, just those I enjoyed, as it would be an impossible task to try every cider out there and be impartial. My only criteria for this list is that I drank the cider in 2016.

Multi pack: Reverend Nat’s Revival – This one is complex for being made from dessert apples, with lots of unique flavor just from the yeast varieties used. Celt – I always keep this easy drinking apple & yeast forward French cider in the house as its convenient & affordable. Thatchers Green Goblin – For how commercial it is, I ended up really enjoying this sweeter simple English cider.

Canned: One Tree Crisp Apple – I don’t usually go for plain flagship ciders, but this one had some nice unfiltered apple juice flavor without being over the top sweet. Cidergeist Semi Dry – This reminded me of French cider; too bad it isn’t available locally. Long Drop Vanilla Honey – Awesome honeycomb flavor.

French: Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidre Brut – A $5 selection from Trader Joe’s which doesn’t disappoint and has some great apple forward sparkling goodness. Christian Drouin Pays d’ Auge – I loved the bittersweet apple flavor, and that the funk remained mild.

English: Aspall Imperial – Rich flavor, high ABV, and a low price tag. Dunkertons Dry (awesomely tannic) and Black Fox (nice fruity twist on an English cider), which I hope to find locally now that they are distributed in the U.S.

Italian: Bertolinos – My first Italian cider, which I found to be simple but tasty, and budget friendly too.

Swiss: Cidrerie du Vulcain Transparente – My first Swiss cider, which reminded me of French cider, in between the typical Brittany & Normandy styles.

Canadian: Sea Cider Ruby Rose – This fruity high ABV cider is made with rhubarb and rose hips, making it a unique summer sipper.

Fruity: Doc’s Draft Sour Cherry – A cherry cider is difficult to pull off without tasting medicinal, but the flavor is spot-on with this one. Jester & Judge Pineapple Express – Although simple, this cider has some awesome pineapple flavor, a nice frothy texture, and a hint of lime.

Rosé: Eden Imperial 11 Rosé – This drier cider with red currant is high ABV and amazingly fruity. Alpenfire Glow – This sweeter cider is made from rare red fleshed apples and also amazingly fruity, with a high flavor intensity.

Limited Release: Angry Orchard & Eden collaboration, Understood in Motion: 01 – This cider is only available at Angry Orchard’s Walden NY cider house, and was made from Vermont heirloom apples, barrel aged, and mixed with some ice cider; awesome!

Hopped: 2 Towns Hop & Stalk – I wouldn’t call myself a fan of either rhubarb or hops, but for whatever reason I really enjoyed this cider; the flavors really complimented each other and created a unique and surprisingly complex cider (I’m also a sucker for Imperial / high ABV ciders).

High ABV: Alpenfire Smoke – This 16% ABV sipping cider has an amazing complexity, with rich oaky smokey flavor. If I had to name just one favorite cider, this would probably be it, although its not an everyday sort of cider. I hope it gets released again soon, as I’m down to only one bottle!

Oaked: Sheppy’s Oak Matured – I love the strong oak flavor in this cider; as a bonus, it is budget friendly too.

Barrel Aged: Reverend Nat’s Whiskey Barrel Aged Golden Russet with Black Currant – This was my favorite cider from Cider Summit Seattle 2016, with awesome berry, oak, and whiskey flavor.

Sparkling: AEppelTreow Appely Doux – This methode champenoise cider has a wonderful texture & flavor, and would be a great champagne alternative.

Perry: EZ Orchards Poire – I’m not a huge Perry fan, but those I do like tend towards the French Poire style; this one has a creamy texture and complex fruitiness.

Pommeau: Etienne Dupont Pommeau – This is their Cidre Bouche aged in Calvados barrels with Calvados added, and is flavorful, rich, and complex. Wandering Aengus Pommeau – Milder in flavor than some other Pommeaus, but still rich and complex.

Ice Cider: Eden Heirloom Blend Apple Brandy Barrel Aged – I’ve enjoyed all of Eden’s ice ciders, but this is my favorite, as it had the added depth from barrel aging in addition to all the rich complexity of their typical ice cider.

Great Value: Schilling King’s Shilling – I’ve picked up a 22oz bottle of this for as low as $4 (and as high as $7), which is a steal for a tasty barrel aged brandy infused cider.

Wine-like: Honeywood Winery Hard Apple Cider – Quite different than I was expecting, but I liked it; this one reminded me of dessert wine with the white grape notes, higher ABV, and sweetness.

Draft-only: Wandering Aengus Bittersweet – An amazingly rich and tannic cider made from bittersweet apple juice from Poverty Lane Orchards (Farnum Hill); wild fermented but it wasn’t funky.

Unexpected: Gowans 1876 Heirloom – This cider almost seemed to good to be true, as it was so full flavored and apple forward.

Well, there you have it, a list of 32 of my favorite ciders from 2016. They have a lot in common–most are rich and full-flavored. Still, it seems like so many great ciders didn’t make the cut, which is unfortunate.

What are your favorite ciders?

Burrow Hill Medium Dry Cider

December 28, 2016December 30, 2016 cidersays Burrow Hill, review Burrow Hill, cider, cider review, cider tasting, England, English Cider, hard cider, Somerset, tasting notes

Review of Burrow Hill’s Medium Dry Cider, from Somerset England. It is my first time trying this cider, although I’m a fan of English cider.

Cider: Medium Dry Cider
Cidery: Burrow Hill
Cidery Location: Somerset England
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: English cider from cider apples

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: A blend of at least 11 varieties of vintage apples “the cider-maker’s craft at its best”. Medium Dry.

Update – The cidery informed me (based on the label style) that this bottle is at least four years old.

Cidery Description: The ancient craft of blending vintage Somerset cider apples to produce fine ciders has been handed down through generations. In our orchards we grow 40 varieties on more than 7,000 apple trees. In the autumn the fruit s harvested, blended, and pressed. The juice is then fermented and matured in oak vats. At Burrow Hill we sell traditional prize winning ciders direct from wooden barrels.

Price: $8.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. This is the only English cider brand that gets distributed here that I haven’t tried.

First Impression: Medium amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells of cider apples, tannins, and a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. No tartness. Low acidity. Moderate tannins. Low bitterness. No sourness. A hint of funk. Notes of bittersweet cider apples, apple pomace, caramel, brown sugar, leather, and orange. Long tannic finish. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. It was well balanced, although slightly commercial tasting and a bit on the watery side (although plenty tannic). Its not one of my favorite English ciders though, which would be Aspall Imperial, Sheppy’s Oak Matured, and Dunkertons Dry & Black Fox.

Most Similar to: I found this very very similar to Ross on Wye Medium Dry Lightly Carbonated Cider.

Closing Notes: I’ll have to see what else I can find from this cidery.

Have you tried Burrow Hill cider? What did you think?

Longueville House Cider

December 26, 2016December 22, 2016 cidersays Longueville, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cork, hard cider, ireland, irish cider, Longueville, tasting notes

Review of Longueville House cider, from Cork Ireland. Its my first time trying anything from this cidery, although I’ve tried two other Irish ciders, Cragie’s Ballyhook Flier and Dan Kelly’s Irish Cider.

Cider: Cider (flagship)
Cidery: Longueville House
Cidery Location: Cork Ireland
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: Irish craft cider from cider apples

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: Longueville House Cider is a medium dry artisan cider made on our 500 acre farm in the Blackwater Valley, Co. Cork. Longueville House (ca 1720) has been owned by the O’Callaghan family since the 10th century except for the 200 years when they were driven to “Hell or to Connaught” by Oliver Cromwell. Our 100% natural cider is hand-made from Dabinett and Michelin apples and contains no artificial sweeteners, additives, colourings, or preservatives. In Autumn we crush and press our apples on the farm within hours of harvesting. The apple juice is then naturally fermented for four months by the action of a unique natural yeast and sugar. The result is a medium dry cider, rich in amber colour. It is best drunk well chilled with no ice and is an ideal accompaniment to fish and meat.

Cidery Description: Longueville House Cider was first developed by the late Michael O’Callaghan back in 2000 as a means to an end in making his Apple Brandy. A pioneering spirit he planted 25 acres of Dabinett and Michelin cider apples at the north-west side of the property based in the heart of The Blackwater Valley. The apples are harvested in the autumn every year. Once picked the apples are crushed and pressed in an oak cider press machine located in the cider house on our farm. The pressed juice is naturally fermented over time incorporating natural sugars in the juice and natural yeast on apples and in the atmosphere, resulting in a rich amber coloured cider. The cider is then filtered, carbonated and pasteurised.

Price: $9.99
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Light orange amber hue. Very low carbonation. Smells of cider apple juice, yeast, and a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness, acidity, funk, and tannins. Hints of bitterness and sourness. Notes of tannic rich cider apples, barnyard, brown sugar, orange, leather, yeast, and honey. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: I liked this cider. I could have done without the funk, but it had some nice flavor from the cider apples.

Most Similar to: Cider from Normandy France such as Christian Drouin Pays d’ Auge, due to the richness, flavor notes, and funk.

Closing Notes: This is the only variety from this cidery I’ve seen locally. However, I have another variety from Cragie’s to try (which is another Irish cidery).

Have you tried Longueville House Cider? What did you think?

Loic Raison Brut

December 23, 2016December 23, 2016 cidersays Loic Raison, review Brittany, Brut, cider, cider review, cider tasting, France, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, Loic Raison, tasting notes

Review of Loic Raison 1923 Brut, a French cidre. Its my first time trying this one, although I’ve tried a number of other French ciders.

Cider: Brut
Cidery: Loic Raison
Cidery Location: Brittany France
ABV: 4.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottles
Style: French cidre

Availability: wide release

Description: I couldn’t find one. Note that Brut simply means dry (although at 5 grams of sugar per 8oz this isn’t completely dry).

Price: $10.49
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. This is one of the major French cidre brands and commonly available in the U.S.

First Impression: Deep orange amber. Very low carbonation. Smells of bittersweet apple juice.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Low acidity. Hints of tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Simple flavor notes, just apple juice and yeast. Quick finish. High apple flavor. High sessionability. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: This was nice and definitely easy to drink, but it tasted flat (like it used to have higher carbonation) and overly juice-like. I’d rather pay half as much and pick up some Dan Armor at Trader Joe’s, or better yet, as it is in single serve bottles, Celt.

Most Similar to: Dan Armor and Celt, which are also both Brittany France cidre varieties. They have a very similar flavor profile to Loic Raison, but a higher carbonation and lower cost.

Closing Notes: I’m a fan of Brittany more than Normandy France cidres, Brittany cidres are typically apple & yeast forward, clean (no funk or sourness), and have a higher carbonation level.

Have you tried French cidre? What did you think?

D’s Wicked Baked Apple

December 21, 2016December 18, 2016 cidersays D's Wicked, review baked apple, cider, cider review, cider tasting, D's Wicked, hard cider, Kennewick, tasting notes, washington

Review of D’s Wicked flagship Baked Apple cider. I’ve tried this before, but only on draft. I’ve also tried their Chanilla and Cranny Granny.

Cider: Baked Apple
Cidery: D’s Wicked
Cidery Location: Kennewick WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz cans (and bottles & draft)
Style: American craft unfiltered spiced cider

Availability: Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Reno Nevada, New Jersey, and New York (per this page).

Cider Description: d’s Wicked Baked Apple™ is a premium, artisanal, hand crafted cider made with natural flavors and the freshest Washington State grown apples. Off-dry with a hint of spice, Baked Apple™ hosts the flavors of Red Delicious and Honey Crisp apples, finishing with a perfect touch of allspice and cinnamon. Just like the apple pie Grandma made, only WICKED!

Cidery Description: We started brewing cider because we love great ciders! Try the wicked delicious flavors that inspired us…wicked good ciders…wicked good times! Using the very best apples from Washington State, we let the unique character of each apple variety guide our crafting, resulting in our sinfully delicious varietals. d’s ciders are crisp with the freshness of just picked apples, not too sweet, not too tart, just playful layers of flavor that are just plain WICKED GOOD. d’s ciders are naturally gluten free, rough filtered to maintain the richest apple flavor, contain no colorants, and use natural ingredients.

Note – cider is fermented like wine – not brewed like beer (no heat involved).

Price: ~$2.50 / single can
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Hazy dark straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells of baked apples and cinnamon.

Tasting Notes: Sweet. Medium to full bodied. Mild tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Hints of tannins. Notes of baked apple, apple skin/pomace, cinnamon, and a hint of citrus. Quick finish. High apple flavor. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity. Low spice level.

My Opinion: I thought this was pretty average. Its a dessert cider for me as I found it quite sweet (12oz was more than enough). I can see why it is appealing, but its not a favorite type of mine.

Most Similar to: Downeast Original Blend and One Tree Crisp Apple, as they have the unfiltered slightly spiced flavor, although both are drier.

Closing Notes: This definitely isn’t off-dry as described, but it is a very popular cider, probably because it is sweet. People often say their want a drier cider, but sweet sells.

Have you tried D’s Wicked cider? What did you think?

Tilted Shed Barred Rock

December 19, 2016December 18, 2016 cidersays review, Tilted Shed Barred Rock, barrel aged, california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Sebastopol, tasting notes, Tilted Shed

Review of Tilted Shed’s Barred Rock. Its my first time trying this one, but I previously had their Lost Orchard. See here for a writeup from Cidercraft on Tilted Shed. I ordered three bottles to be shipped, as their ciders aren’t yet available in Washington.

Cider: Barred Rock
Cidery: Tilted Shed
Cidery Location: Sebastopol CA
ABV: 9.0%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American artisan cider from heirloom apple varieties, whiskey barrel aged

Availability: 24 barrels released in November 2015. Tilted Shed ciders are sold primarily in California, but also in New York, New Jersey, and Portland Oregon (see here).

Cider Description: Blend of fresh-pressed, late-season Sonoma County organic heirloom apples from the 2014 harvest. Fermented to dryness in the New England style, with organic raisins, molasses, and brown sugar, then aged in Heaven Hill Kentucky rye whiskey barrels for four months. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, minimal sulfites. A rich, spiritous, bold, dry cider with excellent aging potential as it shapeshifts over time. Clear, light golden hue; moderate effervescence. Aroma of vanilla bean and light smoke. Bright acidic backbone. Mouth-filling notes of creme brûlée and caramel apple. This cider should mellow as it ages over the next two years, developing a creamier mouthfeel with lingering vanilla finish. Serve at 60°F in a white wine glass. The warmer, the richer. Pair with rich creamy cheeses and fruit-based desserts, such as apple crisp or baked pears.

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: $16
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: I had read so many good things about their ciders online, and was glad to hear they can ship to Washington.

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. Still. Smells of whiskey, oak, and rich bittersweet apples.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Low tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of whiskey, oak, smoke, honey, citrus, and leather. Long warming spirituous finish. Low apple flavor. Low sessionability. Low oak flavor. High whiskey flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: I really enjoyed this. It won’t be for everyone though, as it has an intense whiskey flavor and 9% ABV. I actually think I liked it better the day after I opened it, as the flavor smoothed out / acidity decreased some. I had a bit left on a third day though, but I have to say it peaked on day 2. If I had any criticism, I’d say I’d want a bit more oak flavor (for example, I love the oak in Sheppy’s Oak Matured), a bit less whiskey flavor, and more cider apple than heirloom apple flavor.

Most Similar to: Liberty Ciderworks Stonewall, and to a lesser extent, Stem Whiskey Barrel Aged Apricot & Carlton Cyderworks Slake & Finnriver Oak&Apple. However, this is by far the most intense whiskey flavor I’ve tasted in a cider. Most cidermakers err on the side of caution and keep the barrel and/or spirit flavor on the mild side.

Closing Notes: This cider is an amazing value! I have one bottle left – Smoked.

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

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