What a Sick Joke

Poor Rob is sick this week. I am going to say I didn't give it to him, but who knows. Sadly, since he's got a wicked cold he can't taste anything. Which is weird, since last night he said my homemade chicken stroganoff was "delicious." Hmm...

To get you psyched up for next week, though, the cider is highly recommended by my friend and co-worker, Jessica. She brought us one to try, and she even wrapped it, all classy-like!  What is it? Guess you'll have to come back next week and find out!

Happy Tasting!
- Rob & Liz

Original Sin Newtown Pippin

Happy late St. Patrick's Day, everyone! We hope you all had a great weekend (and celebrated responsibly). Did you have a Guinness or Magners? Hopefully your green beer was intentionally made that way, and it wasn't just bad beer...

This week we have a new brand to debut! Lately we've been reviewing different brews that brands we've already tried have to offer. That's not a bad thing, it's just nice to see what approach to brewing each brand takes. Sometimes it's a success, other times not so much. Either way, we're drinking cider so there is nothing to complain about.

The new brand we have for you is Original Sin, which is based out of New York, NY. The cider we brought home tonight was called Newtown Pippin. The alcohol by volume is listed as 6.7% and is contained in a elegantly simple bottle as seen below. The bottle also contains their description of the cider which went a little something like this:
"The Prince of Apples"
First discovered as a seedling in Queens, New York in 1730, the Newtown Pippin earned a reputation as one of the finest apples of its day and was cherished by both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who cultivated it in their personal estates. Commonly used in hard cider production, this storied apple was sold to the United Kingdom in large quantities, helping to establish the United States fruit export industry.

Quite the history this one has. Now let's see if the founding fathers were on to something, or if this cider should be left out of the history books. Liz can go first:
It's cider day, but the cider this week reminds me more of a wine than cider. It starts out smooth and sweet on your tongue - a good kind of sweet, not too much kick - and then morphs into a dry and almost flat flavor. Now, if you recall, I don't like very dry ciders or dry wine. Thankfully, this isn't that dry, but it's just dry enough to make you want to take another sip. The flavors here are pretty simple, and aren't masked by some sort of fruit add-on. I am pleasantly surprised with Original Sin's Newtown Pippin. I give it three and a half apples.

Now I'm going to see how this cider from the big apple stacks up to the rest of them:
The most noticable thing about this week's cider is how dry it is. It starts out sweet but is then cut short with a flavor similar to a red wine. As it warms, Newtown Pippin seems to mellow out and not bite as much. The familiar taste of iron does linger on your tongue long after your sip, but is not present initially. This one was hard to review. It literally has two sides; sweet then dry. I would suggest this one to people who enjoy dry champagnes or red wines. Other than that, it may not jive with most cider lovers. The unique experience was worth it though. Three apples from me.

Another week in the books and another cider down the hatch. As always we welcome your comments, suggestions, or corporate sponsorship by emailing us at DeCidersBlog@gmail.com or commenting below. Thanks for stopping by and tell your friends. Until next week...

Happy Tasting!
-Liz & Rob

Crispin Georgia

Rob and I are sitting here thinking about how it could be getting warmer sooner, and along comes Crispin's Georgia cider! GEORGIA! It has to be warmer there than it is in Wisconsin, right? HAS to be.

With the weather, coupled with myself being super sick last week, and Rob having a cold this week, we were hoping to get a pick-me-up with this Georgia cider. 6.2% alcohol by volume for this little peach. The description on the back of the bottle is long. Are you ready? Okay, here it goes:
Cider with a little devil in it, but the dog doesn't bite. The sound of the rain and the distant midnight train brings Georgia to mind. An elegant, spicy blend of Colfax Classic apple-wine superbly aged in Bourbon American whisky barrels. The final blend is finished with Georgia peach-juice, a hint of mint and a kiss of Tupelo honey aged in Bourbon barrels. Full whisky notes right up front, layered, very smooth, toasted oak tannins and vanilla. Velvety peach and a hint of mint julep. Blended straight from whisky barrels. Give a solid bottoms-up tilt and swirl to disperse sediment evenly to best enjoy whisky aromas and unique bouquet. Best enjoyed at cellar temperature, 50/55F. With or without 1 or 2 ice cubes. Age-worthy.

Poor Rob isn't feeling well this week, so we will let him go first.

Whoa. Holy Whiskey Batman! This isn't really much of a cider... The bourbon in the brew overwhelmingly masks the apple wine that is advertised on the bottle. There is a large amount of honey in it that cuts down on the power of the bourbon. Also the hint of mint seems to linger on your lips after your sip. This is a very distinct cider and we've only had one like it. But even the Woodchuck Private Barrel Select was closer to a traditional cider than this. I really feel like I am drinking a powerful whisky and coke with this one, but smoother. It was different, but not necessarily in a good way (in my opinion). 2 apples. If you like bourbon, give it a shot.

I can't think of anything witty, so I'll come out and say it - I like  don't like bourbon. I can't taste any of the Georgia peaches, and I can barely taste any of the honey. I feel like I should be taking this as a shot, not sipping it like a beer. I have taken all of three sips, and I can't take any more. Bourbon is not for this girl. I was so excited for the peach that was called out, and I am sadly not getting any. This also really doesn't taste anything like a cider. Everything we've tried thus far for Crispin has been pretty dang good. Sadly, Georgia does not follow the same path. I am giving Georgia one lonely, bruised peach - I mean, apple. 

Thanks for hangin' in there with us while I was sick. If you've got any cider suggestions, we are happy to hear (taste) them! Let us know. And as always...

Happy Tasting!

-Rob & Liz

Down with the sickness...

I'm sorry everyone, but once again we will not have a cider review for this week. Liz has some sort of virus that is giving her a terrible sore-throat. She went to the doctor and they gave her some medication so she shouldn't be drinking. As long as I don't catch it, we will be back next week. Catch up on the blogs you missed in the mean time. I guess this means zero apples...?

Happy Tasting!
- Liz & Rob