Woodchuck Private Reserve Barrel Select & Private Reserve Pumpkin

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, everyone!

We've had our fill of family for the day and are settled down to finish off the day in style by writing our post. This week we're in the giving mood and have two reviews, and one just so happens to have a guest!

Our first cider this week is something we probably should have purchased weeks ago and done over Halloween: Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin. Coming in at 6.9% alcohol by volume, this one is good for when you want to get the party started.
Private Reserve Pumpkin's label said this:
Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin is limited to only two and a half hours on our production line. Fresh and crisp with pumpkin at the finish, it's crafted to be served at 45 degrees and pairs perfectly with roasted duck, turkey, squash ravioli as well as crème brȗlée and fresh cheesecake. Be part of the select few who get to savor this small batch.

First up, Liz:
I was really craving something seasonal and was so excited when I saw this at the local grocery store. Unfortunately we already had a fridge stocked with cider and passed it up for about two weeks. This week I finally decided to read the label to try to convince myself I needed to buy this. Boy, am I glad I did that! It really truly is a limited flavor with only two and a half hours production time.
Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin has a smooth and velvety flavor that you would expect from something such as a pumpkin pie. I am so used to the spice part of a pumpkin pie, that's almost what I was hoping for. There's no spice in this, just plain pumpkin. I myself have never had straight-up pumpkin anything, always pumpkin spice, so I can't quite say that I know for sure that this is a true pumpkin flavor. That being said, I am happily surprised with the flavor. It isn't something I think I would want often, but I can tell you, I will be sad when we finish off this sixer and there is no more left in the house. I would also definitely agree that this would go great with cheesecake. Sadly, I don't have any cheesecake. I guess I'll have to settle for the (potentially freezerburned) vanilla ice cream I have in my freezer. All in all, I give it three apples.

As for Rob:
I know their description on the bottle says it tastes like pumpkin at the finish, but I am here to disagree with that… Right away when you sip it feels like you are being punched in the mouth with a pumpkin. There also seems to be a texture to the beverage and a lack of fizz which makes me have a puzzled look on my face every time. As time passes after your sip, the overwhelming pumpkin taste fades and it takes a familiar sweet and traditional cider taste. The overall drink is fine, just not great. I give it two apples.

Didn't we say we had a guest? Yes, just not on the Private Reserve Pumpkin. That guest is Randy, a friend from college who is a fellow cider lover and dedicated reader of this... blog-thing. Randy had actually suggested that we try Private Reserve Barrel Select. We figured it was only right that he help us with this one!

Private Reserve Barrel Select also sits at 6.9% alcohol by volume. Before we get into what Randy had to say, what about Woodchuck's take on it?
Woodchuck Private Reserve Barrel Select is our ultra-limited cider crafted in small batches for a rare taste of sweet, crisp apple cider combined with smoky, dry bourbon flavors. Aged in genuine barrels, this copper-hued gem pairs excellently with cheese, pork roast and chocolate cake. Served best at 50 degrees, Barrel Select is truly an exclusive joy to relish.

Guests can go first, so up to bat is Randy:
If Ron Burgundy drank cider it would be Woodchuck Private Reserve Barrel Select.  This limited seasonal run of cider is aged in bourbon barrels. This sounds like fluff that companies say just to get you to buy their products, but the cider really does have a strong bourbon flavor to it.  The bourbon flavor is smooth without the burn of whiskey and pairs nicely with the apple flavor. The apple flavor isn't too sweet, but nor is it dry enough to lose the fruity taste Woodchuck us known for.
The bottle says it's best served at fifty degrees, which is pretty spot on. Keeping the cider cold sharpens the bourbon taste in an unpleasant way and keeping our room temperature is just a little too tempid. This cider isn't for everyone and your mileage will vary by how much you like bourbon. Three and a half apples out of five.

Does Private Reserve Barrel Select fare better for Rob? Let's find out.
This taste is not what I was expecting at all. I has a hint of cider at the very beginning and very end of your sip, but the bourbon is the most noticeable part by far. You can also taste the oak from the barrel this cider was selected from. See what I did there? Cider lovers may not enjoy this one as much unless you have a very open pallet with a taste for whisky. I will admit, I felt fancy as fudge drinking this one (only I didn't say fudge). I give it three apples.

Lastly is little ol' Liz!
Warm and heavy on the back of the tongue, Barrel Select is what I would consider an oddity in the cider world. This tastes nothing like what I would expect from a cider with the bourbon flavors. I feel like I should put this three fingers high in a tumbler and sip it while staring at a beautiful fire place, all while petting a majestic fluffy cat. That's it. I'm buying a mansion. This one gets three apples from me.

If you haven't had either of these, I suggest heading out to your local grocer or liquor store to pick them up. Hopefully they have a 6 pack left for you to pick up!

Happy Holidays and as always...

Happy Tasting!
- Rob & Liz

WM. Magners Pear

Only one week until Christmas! Have you been naughty or nice? Sorry... that was cheesy. Either way, if you're still looking for a Christmas present or stocking stuffer, cider might not be the greatest choice. But if you're going to a family get together, some Cider would be perfect! It's more festive than regular old beer and a little less formal than wine. So if you're trying to bring something to the party no one else will think of, check out some of our past reviews for what might suit your needs.

Anyway, it is in fact Wednesday so we do have a brand new review for you! This week is a familiar brew with a different flavor. WM. Magners is the name, Original Pear Cider is the game. Our review on Magners Original Irish Cider was a good one so we thought, let's try a variation of that. Magners didn't have much to say about this brew other than Magners Original Irish Pear Cider. Once again Magners comes to us from Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland and measures in at 4.5% alcohol by volume.

Let's see what Liz thinks of this weeks selection:

WM. Magners definitely has its cider making down to a science. Their pear cider is just as smooth as the original. It's a little warm, not too heavy, and it tastes like you just bit into a perfectly ripe pear. It's only slightly dry, so it's not overpowering. I can tell you I am so incredibly excited that a cider fully embodies the sweet taste of the perfect pear. This is a cider I could see bringing to the beach or a summer party. Magners Original Irish Pear Cider gets a hearty four apples. 

Now it's my turn:
When we reviewed Magners Original Irish Cider, I talked about how the mellowness of the drink made it an enjoyable experience. I can now say that the trait carries over into the Pear Cider. The iron taste and sweetness are minimal but the tart kick at the end is what sets the Pear apart from the Original Cider. This cider doesn't leave a lingering texture on the tongue which makes it a great drink to have while socializing. I'll give this one 3 and a half apples, the taste is nice and it goes down smooth, but I'm just not a fan of pear. I would rather go for the Original Irish cider instead.

Thanks for stopping by every week and let your friends and family know where you got the inside scoop on the cider you brought to the party. As always leave your suggestions or comments below and tune in next week for another Cider Adventure. And remember, your family may be difficult to put up with during the holidays, but they're the only one you've got... And they can't be as bad as mine, so stop complaining! Just kidding, Happy Holidays!

Happy Tasting!

-Liz & Rob

Henney's Dry Cider

Aloha, everyone! No, we aren't in Hawaii. We are sort of wishing we were, though. According to the news it is -3°F outside. A bit chilly, but we are in Wisconsin.

This past weekend we got our first big snowfall, so that was neat. Unless you were one of the unfortunate people who had to travel. We hope your travels were safe!

Onto our own chilly excitement: nice cold cider! This week we were wandering the grocery store's liquor department looking for a housewarming gift for a friend. In the process we spotted our newest trial: Henney's Dry Cider.

Henney's comes to us from the UK and is their Dry Cider. There is another cider at the store, but we didn't have the extra cash to pick it up at that time. Some day we will go back for it! As for Henney's Dry Cider, they had a nice long description. It read: At Henney's we believe that the best way to make cider is to start with high quality ingredients and to keep the process as simple as possible. This has helped us to win many prestigious awards in recent years. Each autumn, carefully selected, locally grown, varieties of genuine cider apples are milled, pressed and fermented. The resulting cider is then blended and stored through the winter allowing it to mature and develop a rich and mellow flavor. Our finished cider retains the distinctive fruity aromatic character of ripe bittersweet apples whilst being crisp light and refreshing. Sip or quaff, we don't mind, as long as you enjoy it. Cheers!

Rob can go first, right? Right.
As it says in their description, keeping it simple seems to bring out the best of the brew. The thing that drew me to select this cider was its looks. The bottle is clear so you can gaze upon the beautifully golden liquid it contains. Also, by keeping it simple, it's almost as if everything about it is subtle. It is very dry, but starts out with a little sweetness that doesn't end up overwhelming you. It's also not very tart and as you let the cider warm up, you can taste a little bit of iron. I like Henney's and I will have it again in the future, I just wish it had something that made it stand out. Still, three and a half apples from me!

As for Liz?
Henney's starts out soft and sweet as I had expected it to. It turns to its dry side pretty quickly. It's dry before you even swallow. I am not a fan of very dry ciders, and this one is definitely true to it's name. I am also surprised at how bitter this one tastes. I am having a hard time drinking this one. If you like dry ciders and wines, this one will probably be right up your alley. Unfortunately, I don't live on that alley. I'm giving this one and a half apples.

It's been a while since we were that far apart in our ratings. Either way, stop by again next week for another cider adventure and make sure to tell your friends!

Happy Tasting!
-Rob & Liz

Ciderboys Peach Country

It's December? Already?! Wow, this year has gone by fast. Hopefully you've had a good one. What interesting Ciders have you stumbled upon? This week we have another brew from a brand we did early on in the blog, Ciderboys. And even though it's not made in Georgia, it's called Peach Country. I wonder what it tastes like...

I know we already covered this the last time we reviewed Ciderboys, but Peach Country comes to us from Steven's Point, WI and weighs in at 5% alcohol by volume. Here's what the Ciderboys had to say about this particular brew:

Apple Peach hard cider

Huh, I guess it's that simple... Hopefully our reviews are a bit more informative.

What does Liz think about Peach Country? Let's find out:

This is definitely different than any other cider I've tried so far. The peach flavor is so incredibly strong, I can't taste any apple (if it was even there to begin with). I'm pretty happy with this one though because it's not overly sweet or tart. The sweet is just like biting into a real peach. I don't know if I could handle more than a couple of these in one sitting, though. The peach is good, but it's not something I could see myself craving. I give it 2.5 apples. 

Now let's see if I fit in as one of the Ciderboys:

Holy Peach Batman! This cider doesn't taste much like apples. The peach really overpowers the apple so it doesn't taste so sweet. The iron taste is mostly subdued until you've gone a minute without a sip. At that point you can kind of taste it on your tongue. Much like last week with the appricot, I am not expert on peaches, but the taste is very distinct and not very sweet. If you want a cider that doesn't taste like cider, this one is for you! For me, it's more like a one and done. Seeing as how this is only about half apple, it gets half of our rating system, two and a half apples.

Well that concludes another week with the DeCiders. As always, feel free to leave your comments below and maybe drop off a recommendation for next week's tasting! Thanks for reading and enjoy a nice cider for us this weekend.

Happy Tasting!

-Liz & Rob

Fox Barrel Cider Apricot Pear

Cider Lovers, we have a question for you. What does the fox say? Below we can tell you what Fox Barrel says about their cider, but does anyone really know? 

Yeah, don't hate us for that one. It was a given. Speaking of not hating us, thank you to everyone who reads this!! We are thankful for you guys reading our page. Thank you for letting us bother you every week with our silly cider antics. 

Back to the fox! Fox Barrel says the following about their Apricot Pear Cider: 

Apricot infused fermented pear cider from pure pear juice. Naturally fermented using 100% pear juice, not from pear juice concentrate or pear-flavored hard apple cider. Filtered cold for extra purity and infused with natural apricot juice. With no added malt, spirit, grape or apple alcohols colorants, sugar, sorbate or benzoate preservatives. Naturally elegant and refreshingly adult with a delicate sweetness and a faint tartness. A velvety mouth-feel, ans light musky complexity, complimented by a fresh-fruit sunny bouquet. 

Since I'm so thankful for him being in my life, let's have Rob go first this week!

Now, I'm no expert on apples, but I know even less about pears. So far I've been making this (apple) cider thing work out, so let's give this pear cider a shot. It tastes a lot like other apple ciders with just a little more iron in it. It's also a little more tart than it is sweet, but it still goes down smooth. I would say it lacks the fizz of most ciders but all around, I enjoyed this weeks offering. 3 pears out of 5! Due to the tough economy, we can't afford to change our rating system, so apples it is...

As for myself, I shouldn't judge, but I did. Before I even tried this one I had decided I wouldn't like it because of the other Fox Barrel cider we tried a while back. BOY, was I wrong! This Apricot Pear cider blows the other one out of the water. It's balanced with sweet and tart and warm. It does have a bite of iron, but it isn't extremely overpowering. I would absolutely buy Apricot Pear again. This would definitely go great with the apple pie I know my mom is probably making for tomorrow. 3.5 out of 5 for Fox Barrel on this one.

Thanks again for reading. Don't forget to be the fun one at your family's Thanksgiving this year by bringing cider (to share)! And remember to drink responsibly. 

Happy Tasting!

-Rob & Liz 

Woodchuck 802

Good evening Cider lovers! Liz and Rob here for another review you've been waiting all week for. I don't know about you, but this weather is really putting me in the mood to grab a six pack of cider and relax in front of the fireplace all night. Now all I need is free time and a fireplace... Oh well, this week we are reviewing another brew from the popular brand Woodchuck; 802.

Woodchuck is brewed in Middlebury, VT and comes in at 5% alcohol by volume. Here's what Woodchuck had to say about their own brew before we get into our thoughts:
Crisp like a fresh apple and finishes clean, 802 gets its tawny brown color from the caramelized sugar added to each small batch in centuries old cider making tradition. 802 captures its name from the Vermont area code and hits the spot with a nice meal or just perfectly on its own. Independent to the core.

I know she's been dying to review this one, so Liz is up first:
I might be biased going into this one. I seriously have always enjoyed Woodchuck ciders, especially since they were such a staple on the weekends at the bars in college. 802 is probably my favorite of theirs, with Crisp being an incredibly close second. 802 is a tricky little devil because its flavor is so warm and heavy, it is more of what you would expect from a heavier type of alcohol, like a beer - not some sally light beer, either. 802 is sweet, and has a very smooth apple flavor. The heavy warm notes are very reminiscent of a piece of caramel. It makes you feel as if it's one of those hand-crafted, home made things your Grandma would serve at a family gathering. For how much I love this as a Woodchuck cider, it's still only rolling in at 3.5 apples on the grand scale.

Now it's my turn:

802 has an orange label as you can see from the picture above. However, I think this one should have had a red label, it tastes a lot like a red delicious apple with a hint of caramel. Missed opportunity, but I guess caramel is orange… Either way, 802 is not too sweet and the tartness isn't strong enough to make a funny face after you first few sips. This is another cider I could see being enjoyed over ice. The iron taste is there like it is in Woodchuck Crisp, but you don't really notice it until after you swallow so I don't think it takes away from the experience at all. So far, this is my favorite Woodchuck. Up half an apple from our previous Woodchuck, 802 is awarded three and a half apples.

For those of you who are wondering, no, we are not agreeing on purpose. It's been 7 weeks (not including the bye) that we have given the same score and it's all coincidence. We taste from the same bottle and write our reviews separately, without sharing thoughts. In fact, if I say anything during this process Liz usually yells at me... Tune in next week to see if we can make 8 in a row, or if we find a more polarizing cider.

Happy Tasting!
-Liz & Rob

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