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?

Tieton Bourbon Peach

July 2, 2018June 23, 2018 cidersays review, Tieton barrel aged, Bourbon Peach, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, peach cider, tasting notes, Tieton, Yakima

Review of Tieton Bourbon Peach. I tried this on draft 2 years ago (see here), and heard last year that it came out in bottles but never saw it. Now that I found it this year, I wanted to do a full review. I’ve also had their Cidermaker’s Reserve, Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind (Pommeau), Wild Washington, Cherry, Blossom Nectar, Sparkling Perry, Cranberry, Frost (ice cider), Spice Route, Russian Red, and Lavender Honey.

Cider: Bourbon Peach
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with peach, bourbon barrel aged

Availability: summer seasonal, since 2016, sold in Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada

Cider Description: Juice from hand-picked Washington State peaches is married with the richness of Kentucky bourbon barrels. This creates the perfect balance of sweet, ripe peaches and tartness of green apples. The charred oak of bourbon barrels gives this cider a deep vanilla and plum character. A touch of oak tannin finishes this cider off perfectly. Our love of what Northwest farmers have to offer has led us to create this “Limited Release” program. Featuring the bounty of our local agriculture, Tieton Cider Works’ Limited Releases will focus on some of the very best products the Northwest has to offer. Bourbon Peach is the perfect summertime libation with a refreshing blend of juicy peaches with and aged bourbon barrel flavors.

Cidery Description: From branch to bottle, Tieton Cider Works controls every aspect of the growing and cidermaking process. Tieton Cider Works boasts the largest orchard of cider varieties in Washington state and the largest Perry pear orchard in the United States. We blend our gnarly, inedible cider fruit with our organically grown dessert fruit. 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: $7.99
Where Bought: a weird bottle shop / bar inside a mini mart in Lynnwood WA called Stogies N Hops (we won’t be going back as it stank horribly of cigarette/cigar smoke and had a weird vibe)
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried it on draft 2 years ago

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells mild, of peach.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of peach with some other fruit (pineapple, mango, pear) and oak. Moderate length finish with mild bourbon. Moderate sessionability. Low apple flavor, barrel influence, and bourbon influence. Moderate complexity and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Awesome! I love the flavor profile, and it has a nice complexity for being made from dessert apples. This is exactly the type of cider that I go for when drinking non-cider-apple ciders – full flavored and semi-sweet to semi-dry. If anything though I would have liked more bourbon. I’m really glad they went a bit sweeter on this, as I think many barrel aged ciders often go too dry, which combined with the barrel & spirit influence can come across as harsh.

Most Similar to: I’ve had a number of peach ciders, such as Black Fin Pacific Peach, Red Branch Peach, Schilling Road Trip (Peach Citra), Sancho Libre Peach Sangria, Fox Tail Fuzzy Haven, and Mission Trail Peach Coast (100% peach, so fruit wine not cider). This reminds me most of the Schilling Road Trip, except it has bourbon instead of hops. Most of the others were drier and more tart.

Closing Notes: The price point on this is great too, for what you are getting (I checked Total Wine’s website and found out they just got it in stock, and sell it $1 cheaper, for $6.99). I think this would do well in cans, but I think Tieton only does that for their ‘Rambling Route’ line (which I’m not a huge fan of, although its plenty drinkable).

Have you tried Tieton Bourbon Peach? What did you think?

Tieton Lavender Honey

April 18, 2018April 14, 2018 cidersays Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Lavender Honey, tasting notes, Tieton

Review of Tieton’s Lavender Honey. It is my first time trying it, but I’ve had most of their ciders – Cidermaker’s Reserve, Sparkling Perry, Cranberry, Bourbon Peach, Frost (ice cider), Spice Route, Russian Red, Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind (Pommeau), Wild Washington, Cherry, and Blossom Nectar.

Cider: Lavender Honey
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with lavender & honey

Availability: Spring seasonal, since June 2017, in Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada

Cider Description: none given

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had heard it was available on draft but hadn’t had the chance to try it.

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue. Very low carbonation. Smells of honey with a hint of herbs.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, tannins, or funk. Notes of light tart apple and lavender which quickly dissipate, then the fuller bodied sweet honey with a hint of pear. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity and sessionability. Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion: I liked it. There were two distinct stages of this cider when tasting, which was pretty unique, but they also seemed to compete a bit with each other.

Most Similar to: I’ve actually had 5 ciders with lavender (Elemental Pom-Lavender, Elemental Lavender Rose Petal, Greenwood Lavender Blackberry, Seattle Cider Lavender Lemon, and Finnriver Lavender Black Currant), but none also had honey, which is fairly commonly added to cider (it even has a name when they are co-fermented, cyser). My favorite cider with lavender is Finnriver Lavender Black Currant, especially when on Nitro tap. Some of my favorite ciders with honey are Finnriver Honey Meadow, Long Drop Vanilla Honey, and Moonlight Meadery How Do You Like Them Apples.

Closing Notes: This was released last year too, but somehow I missed it (probably as I think it was draft-only last year). My favorite Tieton cider remains Bourbon Peach, which I’ve only seen on draft, as their summer seasonal, but hopefully they do bottles this summer.

Have you tried Tieton Lavender Honey? What did you think?

Tieton Spice Route

November 2, 2016October 29, 2016 cidersays review, Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Spice Route, spiced cider, tasting notes, Tieton

Review of Tieton’s Spice Route. It is my first time trying it, but I’ve had most of their ciders: Cidermaker’s Reserve, Sparkling Perry, Cranberry, Bourbon Peach, Frost (ice cider), Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind (Pommeau), Wild Washington, Cherry, and Blossom Nectar.

Cider: Spice Route
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft spiced cider

Availability: Year round, since July 2015. Tieton ciders are available in WA, OR, AK, HI, B.C., ID, CA, NV, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, FL, MI, IL, and OH (per their website). They also take orders by phone to be shipped in WA (info here) and have a tasting room (info here).

Cider Description: An exotic and fresh cider. Expect a medium straw with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, clove and allspice. Reminiscent of a fresh baked apple pie.

Price: $8
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: Dark straw yellow hue. Very low carbonation. Smells of hints of spices and vanilla.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of cinnamon, allspice, clove, vanilla, oak, grapefruit, and honey. Moderate to long spiced finish. Low to moderate apple flavor. Low flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. Moderate to high sessionability.

My Opinion: I’m usually not a fan of spiced cider, but I really enjoyed this one. It wasn’t overly spiced or sweet. The complexity (especially the vanilla and oak notes) was nice too.

Closing Notes: This is one of my favorites from Tieton. My absolute favorite was Bourbon Peach, which was a tap-only special release.

Have you tried Tieton Spice Route? What did you think?

Tieton Cider Works Frost Ice Cider

July 20, 2016July 17, 2016 cidersays review, Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, Frost, hard cider, ice cider, Tieton

Review of Frost ice cider from Tieton Cider Works. I’ve tried several ice ciders before (see here), and have tried most of Tieton’s lineup (see here).

Cider: Frost (ice cider)
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 11%
How Supplied: 375ml tall clear glass bottles, corked
Style: American craft ice cider made from dessert apples (see here for a description of the ice cider process)

Availability: AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IL, MI, MT, NM, NJ, OH, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY, and B.C. Canada. Also, online sales to OR and WA.

Cider Description: Our autumn harvest blend of Jonagold, Pinova and Winter Banana apples produces a pale straw cider that is expressive and floral with a pleasing sweetness.

Enjoy this cider at room temperature as an aperitif, as a cocktail base or the perfect finish to any meal. Our friends at Simple and Crisp asked Sharon to come up with a recipe for their product. Apple Crisps from Simple and Crisp topped with Tieton Farm & Creamery Bianca cheese and drizzled with honey. This recipe works as an appetizer or a dessert, which is why we love it.

The fruit that is used in Tieton Cider Works cider comes from Craig and Sharon Campbell’s Harmony Orchards. This land has been in our family since the 1920’s when our grandfather planted his first trees in Tieton, Washington. We take our stewardship of the land seriously and have been farming organically for the last 25 years…

A love of land, food and drink has inspired us to make cider with the fruit we are growing at our ranch, Harmony Orchards. We know the ciders we make are an expression of the harvest and reflective of the fruit and the place that it is grown. We are thrilled to be involved in re:interpreting the tradition of cider making.

Price: $25
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I love ice cider, and hadn’t tried this one.

First Impression: Dark straw yellow / light amber hue. Completely still (no carbonation). Smells rather mild for ice cider, of sweet apple juice, honey, and apricots.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low tannins. A hint of bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of honey, apricot, mango, and caramelized sugar. Moderate length boozy finish. High apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. (Note that against the bottle’s advice, I drank it cold, as that is what I prefer.)

My Opinion: I enjoyed this, but I like Eden’s ice ciders much better, with their greater complexity (especially their barrel aged Northern Spy). For $5 extra per bottle I think its worth it.

Most Similar to: This is quite different from the other ice ciders I’ve tried, as it isn’t as full bodied, sweet, or complex. Also, it was more fruity than rich (most other ice ciders I’ve tried had notes of caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla). Its probably closest to Pomme De Coeur ice cider.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got a chance to try this. I think it is a nice summery ice cider, as it wasn’t as rich or complex, and was lighter bodied and fruity.

Have you tried Tieton Frost? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 18 Tasting Notes

July 15, 2016July 9, 2016 cidersays Locust, One Tree, Portland Cider, review, Schilling, Tieton, Wandering Aengus cider, cider review, hard cider, Locust, One Tree, Portland Cider, Schilling Cider House, tasting notes, Tieton, Wandering Aengus

Tasting notes from my eighteenth 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 last Thursday, for the One Tree Crisp Apple cider release party, and enjoyed a flight of four ciders, plus One Tree’s new cider.

Portland Cider Company (Portland OR) Pineapple (5.7% ABV): This draft-only pineapple cider poured foamy but settled down after awhile. This may be their “Maui Cruiser” variety, which also has coconut blossom nectar, as I couldn’t find any evidence that they have a strictly Pineapple cider. Smells of fresh pineapples. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Low acidity. The flavor is purely pineapple, with low flavor intensity. I felt this cider smelled much better than it tasted…it left me wanting more flavor. The pineapple aroma was so strong (especially in comparison to the cider’s flavor) that it makes me curious if it was added.

Wandering Aengus (Salem OR) Barrel Aged Wickson (8.0% ABV): This is a barrel aged draft-only version of their single varietal Wickson crab apple cider, which is available in bottles (which I tried previously and found overly harsh). Smells mild, with hints of crab apples and oak. Dry. Low flavor intensity. The barrel aging seemed to mellow the cider’s intensity compared to the original version. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. Alcohol-forward with crab apple sharpness, oak, and honey notes. This is best drank cold as it becomes more harsh as it warms up. I found this more drinkable than the original version, but I still didn’t care for it.

Tieton (Yakima WA) Bourbon Peach (6.5% ABV): A draft-only bourbon barrel aged peach cider. Hazy lemonade hue. Smells of bourbon, peaches, and pineapple. Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Hints of boozy bourbon (but not overpowering) and peach & pineapple notes. Yum! Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Moderate flavor intensity. Low apple flavor. Medium to high sessionability. I’m a fan of bourbon barrel aged ciders, but often they tend towards being overly boozy, harsh, dry, etc…this one was tasty and easy to drink.

Locust (Woodinville WA) Sweet Aged Apple (6.9% ABV): This is a barrel aged cider made from dessert apple varieties which is available on draft and in bottles. I’ve tried this previously (when it was called Aged Washington Dessert Apple; see here), but had heard they significantly changed the recipe, so I wanted to give it another try. Last time it was quite hazy and unfiltered looking, but this time there was no haziness. Smells mild and apple-forward. Semi-sweet (less sweet than the previous recipe). Less flavorful than the previous recipe, but much more sessionable. Mild tartness and acidity. Caramel, vanilla, and honey notes. Medium bodied. Moderate to high apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. I’m not sure which recipe I preferred, as there are pros & cons of each, but I enjoyed both versions.

One Tree Hard Cider (Spokane WA) Crisp Apple (6.8% ABV): This is their new flagship cider, sold in four packs of 16oz cans and on draft. Hazy. Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Unfiltered baked apple flavor with honey notes. Moderate tartness and acidity. High sessionability. Strong apple flavor. I enjoyed this. I found it very similar to 2 Towns Out Cider, but slightly sweeter and slightly more flavorful. Much less sweet than any of the other ciders I’ve tried from them.

The Tieton Bourbon Peach cider was my favorite, and my favorite cider from Tieton so far.

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

Rambling Route Yakima Cider

October 14, 2015October 13, 2015 cidersays Rambling Route, review cider, cider review, hard cider, hard cider review, Rambling Route, Tieton, Yakima

Review of Rambling Route Yakima Cider, made by Tieton Cider Works. This is their lower end canned cider (vs. their bottled ciders).

Cider: Yakima Cider
Cidery: Rambling Route (Tieton Cider Works)
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 16oz tallboy can (four pack)

Availability: Semi-wide (19/50 states), year round

Cider Description: The apple’s journey to America was parallel to man’s. The boat landed and the exploration began: in this vast new land the choices for thriving were endless. Some were happy to live on the coast where they landed, spreading out and staying diverse. Others were content to live amongst a few or be a solo tree in a town square. A few made it halfway across the land and settled in. The fearless joined the westward migration on horses and wagons, traveling thousands of miles looking for the perfect dirt, long sunny days and ample water. When it reached the land that would be called Washington, the apple knew. It was home at the end of a Rambling Route.

For those that appreciate the bold, crisp flavor of biting into a Washington grown apple, your quest for the perfect apple cider ends with Rambling Route. We grow and press only fresh apples from our family farm and carefully blend under the roof of our own cidery located in the heart of the Yakima Valley. Expect pineapple aromas and mineral qualities on the nose, snappy and racy acid levels on the palate, coupled by a deep full-bodied finish. No additives, no concentrates, or preservatives – ever!

Additional Info from Rambling Route: We use a variety of bitter sharp and bitter sweets apples in our Ciders. Along with some dessert varietals. We launched our can division on April 1st which is the Rambling Route brand. We will be launching Rambling Route in early 2016 with kegs.

Price: ~$2.50 for a single can (runs $8-9 for a four pack in my area)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. Since then, I’ve seen it promoted quite a bit.

First Impression: Mild dry acidic crisp apple scent. Little carbonation upon pouring, but tiny bubbles. Light straw gold hue.

Opinion: On the drier side of semi-dry. Moderate to high acidity. Mild tartness, bitterness, and astringency. Citrus notes. I noticed the slightest bit of tannic cider apple taste, but it left me wanting more. Rather bland and watered down tasting. Light bodied. Longer finish with an odd almost soapy aftertaste (which I read can be a sign of stressed yeast). I liked that it wasn’t too bitter, which I’ve often found with drier ciders. I don’t agree with their description that it is bold or full-bodied. It is however a crisp and easy drinking cider. Well balanced, but I found it boring and unimpressive.

Most Similar to: Other drier light bodied PNW flagship ciders such as HUB Hard Cider, Red Tank Happy Cider, 2 Towns Bright Cider, Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet, and Anthem Cider.

Closing Notes: I commend Tieton for making an affordable craft cider (relatively small batch, made from fresh pressed juice, nothing artificial added, etc), and one that isn’t too sweet either. However, it just isn’t to my liking. I think if it was higher carbonation and had a richer flavor, they would be on to something I’d enjoy. I’m still in search for an everyday drinking craft cider which is affordable (which usually means it comes in a multi-pack). The cider folks I’ve talked to seem to either love or hate this cider. I’m sorta ambivalent.

Have you tried Rambling Route Yakima Cider? What did you think?

Tieton Cidermaker’s Reserve

September 18, 2015September 13, 2015 cidersays review, Tieton barrel aged, cider, cider review, Cidermaker's Reserve, hard cider, hard cider review, Tieton, Tieton Cider Works

Review of Cidermaker’s Reserve from Tieton Cider Works.

Cider: Cidermaker’s Reserve
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml mini champagne bottle, corked & caged

Availability: Year round. Tieton ciders are available in WA, OR, AK, HI, B.C., ID, CA, NV, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, FL, MI, IL, and OH (per their website). They also take orders by phone to be shipped in WA (info here) and have a tasting room (info here).

Cider Description: This two-year-old bourbon barrel-aged bittersweet cider has a nose that brings out the haze of vanilla, plum, and slight bourbon notes. Pours a golden hue with hints of charred oak, vanilla, and late harvest apples on the palate.

Cidery Description: We are continually asked: how did you get into the cider business? The answer is easy: we were in the apple growing business. Period. If we had not been a farming family, cider would not have held an interest. The fruit that is used in Tieton Cider Works cider comes from Craig and Sharon Campbell’s Harmony Orchards. This land has been in our family since the 1920’s when our grandfather planted his first trees in Tieton, Washington. We take our stewardship of the land seriously and have been farming organically for the last 25 years. As a third generation Yakima Valley farmer with a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and over thirty five years’ experience in marketing produce, Craig has always been curious about the back-story: the history, production, science, and industry of food. Growing different varieties of trees is truly what makes Craig happy and he is always looking for new varieties to plant and nurture. In 2008 he was introduced to cider apple varieties, those gnarly, inedible wild apple varieties needed to make great cider. He planted twenty five varieties in a test block of two acres to study the growing patterns: did each fit into the existing bloom and harvest schedule of the farm, what were the flavor profiles of the fruit and how did that variety add to the cider that we wanted to make. From that original twenty five, Craig has narrowed it down to the eight most suitable for commercial production, never closing the door on annual experimentation when he learns of a new variety. We now have the largest acreage of cider apples and Perry pears in the state of Washington with 55 acres. The Yakima Valley is the largest apple producing region in Washington and there is an infrastructure existing in our valley that provides many advantages when you are making cider. Whether we are storing our apples in controlled atmosphere, sending our apricots and cherries to be processed, or selecting the complementary hops and pumpkin for our seasonal ciders – it all exists in the valley we call home. A love of land, food and drink has inspired us to make cider with the fruit we are growing at our ranch, Harmony Orchards. We know the ciders we make are an expression of the harvest and reflective of the fruit and the place that it is grown. We are thrilled to be involved in re:interpreting the tradition of cider making.

Price: $9.99
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: I’ve seen this cider at Total Wine, and even tried it awhile back (can’t remember if it was a tasting or an entire bottle). However, I wanted to give it another go as I didn’t really remember it, and am now more into drier ciders than I was a year or two ago.

First Impression: Medium carbonation upon pouring. Light champagne yellow. Smells of ripe acidic apples and oak.

Opinion: Dry to semi-dry. I definitely pick up the oak barrel influence, but it isn’t overpowering in the least. I also pick up some vanilla and bourbon notes. Moderate acidity, tartness, and bitterness. Medium bodied. Some astringency. Moderate length finish with some lingering acidity, tartness, and bitterness. Clean refreshing taste. Its awesome they are a Washington cidery and have such a large cider apple orchard. Overall a solid well-balanced and well-composed cider, but isn’t one of my favorites. It is tending towards the bold & unique category that I like, but not quite there yet.

Most Similar to: Other local craft oak aged ciders I’ve tried such as Schilling Oak Aged, Finnriver Oak & Apple, and Snowdrift Cornice, although slightly more dry & acidic.

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying more Tieton ciders! I’ve tried a good deal (Cidermaker’s Reserve, Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind, Wild Washington, Cherry, and Blossom Nectar), but this is the first I’ve reviewed here at Cider Says. I’d especially like to try their Sparkling Perry and Frost (ice cider) varieties.

Have you tried Tieton Cidermaker’s Reserve? What did you think?

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