WA Cider Week 2020 Tasting Notes – Virtual Edition

Its that time of year – Washington Cider Week, the 10th annual, September 10-20th 2020. Usually Northwest Cider invites me and other media folks to an awesome exclusive preview tasting event. This year things are different. WA Cider Week is still on, but most events will be virtual, or for local pickup – check out the event calendar here. For me, this means a virtual private tasting, so here are my notes on 4 new cider releases to kick things off.

>>This is a review of sample bottles/cans provided to Cider Says by Greenwood, Spin, Locust, and Tieton. 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.<<

Some info on Spin Cider, as this is my first review of their cider – This is a Kitsap county cidery started last year by two cyclists. They are doing a virtual re-opening for WA Cider Week. Stay tuned as I’ll soon be reviewing 2 other releases from them, ‘Sammamish River Trail’ and ‘Tour de Lopez’. Their ciders are currently available online and for local pickup, but they plan to increase as the Covid situation improves in 2021.

Spin Cider (Olalla WA) An Apple for a Teacher (7.2%): This cider is dedicated to educators, as Cathie & Mark work in teaching & training so can understand the tough time they are having right now. The cidery is even offering special discounts to teachers as this blend rolls out. Mild apple scent, on the sweeter side of semi-dry, some tartness & carbonation, apple-forward with a bit of complexity reminiscent of heirloom apples, but super friendly and sessionable.

Tieton Cider (Yakima WA) Huckleberry 6.9%): This is a new seasonal release using Northwest huckleberries. See my previous Tieton reviews here. Smells of berry, on the sweeter side of semi-dry, low tartness, super juicy, moderate blackberry flavor with a hint of cranberry.

Locust Cider (Woodinville WA) Peach Ginger (6.0%): This is a new release for WA cider week, with peach juice and a hint of ginger, sold in a four pack of 16oz cans. See my previous Locust reviews here . Mild scent, on the sweeter side of semi-dry, mild stone fruit flavor with some citrus and a hint of ginger bite on the finish. It seems like most cideries go way overboard on ginger, but this was nice, as it was so subtle, and didn’t ruin my palette.

Greenwood Cider (Seattle WA) Whiskey Barrel Heirloom (9.0%): This is a new release, made from more than 13 varieties of heirloom, bittersweet, & bittersharp cider apples and aged for 6 months in Westland whiskey barrels. See my previous Greenwood reviews here. Smells of aged spirits, lovely darkened hue from the barrel, on the drier side of semi-dry, complex apple & whiskey flavor, and oak finish with a hint of bitterness.

Closing Notes: I enjoyed all four ciders. Its been awhile since I’ve had a tasting flight, and I had missed the experience. It was fun to have an excuse to open four different ciders too! Remember to check out the WA Cider Week calendar.

Tieton Hazy Strawberry

May 18, 2020May 14, 2020 cidersays review, Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, tasting notes, Tieton, Tieton cider, Tieton Cider Works, washington

Review of Tieton’s Hazy Strawberry. It is my first time trying this, but I have had most of their line-up (see here).

Cider: Hazy Strawberry
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz cans (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with strawberries

Availability: seasonally, around May thru August, at least in AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, NJ, NM, NV, OR, TX, and WA; check their cider finder

Cider Description: As Washington farmers we like to support local growers and Northwest strawberries are some of the very best! This blend of hand-picked juicy strawberries and fresh-pressed cider pours as a ruby blush. It is unfiltered for added body and accentuated flavors. Enjoy this fruity summer beverage with smoky bar-b-que and fresh cheeses.

Cidery Description: From our orchards to your glass, TCW controls every aspect of the growing and cidermaking process. TCW boasts the largest orchard of cider apple varieties in Washington state and the largest Perry pear orchard in the United States. We blend our cider fruit with all Washington apples. We’ve been growing apples, apricots, cherries and pears on Harmony Orchards – our family farm – since the 1930’s and are thrilled to be involved in Re:interpreting the tradition of cider making.

Price: ~ $2 / single can (runs ~ $11.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: Trader Joes (note that they will sell a single can/bottle of any multi-pack, and don’t mark it up beyond the unit price like most other stores)
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing the store, although I saw it first in the Hard Cider Appreciation Society Facebook group

First Impression: Deep red-pink hue. Very low carbonation. Smells of mild sweet berry.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. No sourness, bitterness, funk, or tannins. Notes of strawberry and granny smith apple. Quick tart finish. Low apple flavor and complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. Interestingly it tasted much drier than the stated sugar content (19g / can), I’m guessing because of the tartness. Nice real strawberry flavor.

Most Similar to: My list says I’ve only tried four strawberry ciders (from Bull Run, Cider Brothers – William Tell, Longdrop, and Seattle Cider), and the later 2 had additional flavors. Tieton Hazy Strawberry is most like Bull Run Strawberry Fields, with a similar level of sweetness and flavor profile.

Closing Notes: I like being able to pick up single cans/bottles of multipacks, so I don’t get stuck with selections I don’t like, although in this case I wouldn’t have minded having 5 more cans.

Have you tried Tieton Hazy Strawberry? What did you think?

Tieton Single Varietal Harrison

December 30, 2019May 14, 2020 cidersays review, Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Harrison, single varietal, tasting notes, Tieton, Tieton cider

Review of Tieton’s single varietal cider from Harrison apples. I first sampled this at a tasting event in August (see here), but this time I’m doing a detailed review of a bottle. I’ve also had their Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind (Pommeau), Wild Washington, Cherry, Blossom Nectar, Cidermaker’s Reserve, Sparkling Perry, Cranberry, Bourbon Peach, Frost (ice cider), Spice Route, Russian Red, Lavender Honey, Oak Barrel Aged Cider Summit Collaboration, and Organic.

Cider: Single Varietal Harrison
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from heirloom Harrison apples

Availability: special release, at least in AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, NJ, NM, NV, OR, TX, and WA; check their cider finder

Cider Description: This is our second cider in our single varietal series. We use Harrison apples it in our ciders often because its great for blending with other apples, but since it makes such good cider on it’s own, we chose too make a single variety cider. It is golden colored, with spiced apple, honey notes and a deeply rich mouthfeel finished by a lingering hint of ginger.

Price: $7.99

Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: initially at a tasting event

First Impression: Light gold hue. Low carbonation. Smells mild and slightly rich.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of heirloom & green apples, honey, pear, lemon, and an overall flavor which I would best describe as creamy. Moderate length tart finish. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, overall flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. Very approachable for an heirloom apple cider, as many tend towards super dry and tart. Its at a nice price point too.

Most Similar to: Snowdrift Forefathers and Locust Honey Pear

Closing Notes: I always like finding ciders from heirloom and/or cider apples which are a bit sweeter, as I’m not usually into fully dry ciders, but like their flavor and complexity.

Have you tried Tieton Harrison? What did you think?

Tieton Organic

March 18, 2019March 18, 2019 cidersays review, Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, organic cider, tasting notes, Tieton, Tieton cider

Review of Tieton Cider Works Organic Hard Cider. It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Cidermaker’s Reserve, Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind (Pommeau), Wild Washington, Cherry, Blossom Nectar, Sparkling Perry, Cranberry, Bourbon Peach, Frost (ice cider), Spice Route, Russian Red, Lavender Honey, and Oak Barrel Aged Cider Summit Collaboration.

Cider: Organic Hard Cider
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz cans
Style: American Organic craft cider

Availability: probably only in the Northwest

Cider Description: Dry and Crisp, made with 100% organic apples. Growing the fruit organically combines our farming tradition with being good stewards of the land we call home. This organic cider represents our heritage, the care that goes into the land and trees that produce it. It’s slightly tart but well balanced with a fruity nose.

Price: ~$3 / can (runs ~ $9.99-11.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing; I had seen this before, but not singles

First Impression: Light amber hue. Still. Smells dry and apple-forward.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Hints of tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of purely apple and apple juice with a hint of richness. Quick finish. High sessionability. Low flavor intensity and complexity. Moderate apple flavor.

My Opinion: I thought this was quite average. Plenty drinkable and a nice relatively easy to find in the NW drier cider option, but a tad bland, probably primarily due to the dryness and it presumably being at least mostly made from dessert apples, without any fruit/hops/spices/etc added.

Most Similar to: a drier plain apple flagship cider

Closing Notes: I was surprised to see Tieton start canning ciders, as I assumed they would keep that for their Rambling Route brand.

Have you tried Tieton Organic Apple? What did you think?

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