Review of Whiskey Barrel Cider Company’s Triple Play.  It is my first time trying this, but I previously had their Dam Fine Cider.

Cider:  Triple Play
Cidery:  Whiskey Barrel Cider Company
Cidery Location:  Pullman WA
ABV:  5.1%
How Supplied:  16oz cans
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples

Availability:  likely only in Washington

Cider Description:  Triple Play began as our summer seasonal but quickly became so popular that we decided to keep it around all year long. Made from Gala, Red and Golden Delicious apples, Triple Play is our sweetest cider. Enjoy it as you remember the long hot days of summer!

Cidery Description:  Former engineer Trent Maier developed the recipe for Whiskey Barrel Cider and approached his friend and fellow engineer, Brian Augdahl, about the idea of building a space to create the recipe using local, Washington grown apples. The operation began with one delicious cider and has since developed into the creation of several signature ciders with the taste of Washington apples in every sip.

Price:  probably $2-4 / 1 can
Where Bought:  I think either Total Wine in Northgate, or The Cave in Kirkland
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  browsing

First Impression:  Medium amber hue.  Very low carbonation.  A bit of foam.  Smells simply of sweet apple juice.

Tasting Notes:  On the drier side of semi-sweet.  Light to medium bodied.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of just apple juice, although less sweet / a bit watered down.  Quick finish.  High sessionability and apple flavor.  Moderate flavor intensity.  Very low complexity.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it.  Super easy to drink and all around likable, although fairly simple.  It tastes what I imagine folks who have not tried cider would expect all ciders to taste like, of alcoholic apple juice, although this is less sweet than straight apple juice.  From the color and flavor, I’m guessing they made a high ABV dry cider, then back-sweetened with a fair bit of apple juice.

Most Similar to:  A less sweet and higher quality version of some popular commercial ciders, like Angry Orchard Crisp Apple and Woodchuck Amber.

Side Note:  After first trying their cider, I learned that their name came about as their first cider was whiskey barrel aged, but they have since scaled up production, and last I heard, none of their current cider line-up is whiskey barrel aged.

Closing Notes:  Hopefully I find more ciders from them soon.  I can see why this would be popular, as it is super apple forward and on the sweeter end, but less sweet (and higher quality and more local) than most commercial options.

Have you tried Whiskey Barrel Cider Co. Triple Play?  What did you think?