Island Orchard Apple Cherry Cider

Welcome back everybody, it's time for another cider adventure! This episode of the DeCiders is all local. First of all, a big congratulations to our friends from college; Steve and Ellen were married this past weekend in Kenosha and hosted a wonderful celebration. We had a blast and caught up with some people we hadn't seen in awhile (turns out some of them read this thing). Keeping it local and in the spirit of unions, our review this week is contains both.

Island Orchard Apple Cherry Cider comes to us from Door County, Wisconsin. If you've ever been there, you know it's a beautiful place and is full of all things Cherry and Wine. This week's cider is a union of Apple and Cherry which had us fairly hopeful. Island Orchard packs a punch at 6.5% alcohol by volume and is brewed in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin.

Island Orchard Cider has quite a lot to say about their own brew, so we'll let them go first:
Fermented apple cider made with traditional apple cultivars & montmorency cherries. A balanced Rosé. Crisp and dry with a strong cherry finish. Island Orchard Apple Cherry Cider starts with an apple base to give it body. The tannins from the cherry give it a pucker and clean vividness. We produce a Normandy Style Cider but with some new world traditions as well. Washington Island provides our Orchard with the perfect rocky limestone soil and climate for growing our French, British & American cultivars.

I found this cider, so Liz will have to wait while I go first:
As I was shopping for new ciders at the grocery store, I saw this bottle and I had to have it. When it comes to artificial flavors in candy and what not, the only flavor I like more than apple is cherry. Coming into this review I was prepared to give out a perfect score for an apple cherry cider. Turns out, it's not meant to be. Island Orchard Apple Cherry Cider has a pink tint to it (for the ladies) and comes in a large resealable bottle in case you can't finish it all at once. As for the taste, it's hard to tell where the apple ends, and the cherry begins. The two flavors seem to cancel each other out. The tartness seems to outweigh the sweetness in this one and the overall flavor seems reminiscent of wine. It's fairly dry but has a sparkling quality to it after a big gulp. This cider is an experience all its own, but not enough to make a lasting impression. For me, this cider falls right in the middle.

And now time for Liz's review:

This Apple Cherry Cider tastes more like a juice than a cider to me. It's pretty sweet and goes down easy, except for that dry and tart kick at the end that made me almost do the I-just-licked-a-lemon face. I really had high hopes for this one, but it is falling short. I do like it and I could see myself drinking this instead of buying a bottle of wine, I just don't think I'd buy this to bring to Thanksgiving to share with the family.

Turns out we agree once again! It's like we were made for each other... Don't give Liz any ideas please. Tune in next week for another chapter in the DeCiders adventure. Until then, please drink responsibly and as always, pinky out!

Happy Tasting!

- Liz & Rob