Cider
 

Best Cider

 

The Fifty Best Cider Tasting 2020

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of hard ciders with a panel of 13 judges. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. Each of the ciders were poured into fresh glasses from newly-opened sealed bottles and served well chilled. Only ice water, neutral unflavored crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each wine on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The states/countries of origin and ABV are identified for each cider. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.



DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Rekorderlig Strawberry-Lime Hard Cider
(Sweden) 4.5% ABV

Aroma: Fresh cut strawberries, ripe strawberry, strawberry juice, strawberry candy, blackberry, tart berries, sweet apple, tropical fruit, floral, perfume, fresh.
Palate: Strawberry, raspberry, vibrant berries, lime, citrus, Golden Delicious apple, McIntosh apple, watermelon, melon, poached pear, strawberry candy, natural flavors, great flavor, small tight bubbles, smooth, crisp, refreshing.
Finish: Strawberry, subtle citrus, lemon candy, floral, well balanced, not too sweet, smooth, light & crisp, sparkling, delicious.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Rekorderlig Strawberry-Lime Hard Cider



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Black Apple Wild Berry Cider
(Arkansas) 6.9% ABV

Aroma: Red berries, framboise, blackberry, ripe cranberry, cherry, black cherry, dark cherry, plum, fresh milled apples, lime, very floral, crisp.
Palate: Raspberry, blackberry, mixed berries, cranberry, cherry, red baking apples, green apple, apple peel, lime, leafy, pickling spices, cinnamon, perfect balance of tart & sweet, tight bubbles.
Finish: Cranberry, dried apple, lemony, slightly tart, clean, crisp, very balanced.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Black Apple Wild Berry Cider



Black Apple Spiced Cider
(Arkansas) 6.9% ABV

Aroma: Baked apple, cooked apples, apple pie, pumpkin, citrus, cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg, country spice, hops.
Palate: Baked apple pie, apple strudel, apple mash, pumpkin, citrus peel, cinnamon, allspice, clove, nutmeg, hint of brine, demi-sec, savory.
Finish: Baked apple, sour apple, lingering apple, plum, candied fruit, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, spicy, nice, soft.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Black Apple Spiced Cider



Merchant’s Daughter Semi-Dry Hard Cider
(New York)  Made with fresh-pressed NY State apples. 7% ABV

Aroma: Apple, crisp Golden Delicious apple, green apple, pear, lemon, tropical fruit, fungi, tart, Moscato, classic cider.
Palate: Fresh apple, tart green apple, apricot, rhubarb, melon, lemon, citrus, slightly tart, good acid, balanced with hint of sweetness, clean, fresh, approachable.
Finish: Apple, green apple, fresh green grapes, lime, lemony crisp, rhubarb, cinnamon, tart, sour, clean, well balanced.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Merchant’s Daughter Semi-Dry Hard Cider



Eden Valley Orchards Pear House
Oregon CranPerry Cider

(Oregon) 6.9% ABV

Aroma: Rich ripe cranberry, cherry, raspberry, strawberry jam, strawberry marmalade, plum, pear, peach, apple, citrus, raisins, vanilla.
Palate: Cranberry, currant, strawberry, pear, apple, red apple, lemon, raisins, honey, clove, tart, demi-sec, nice blend.
Finish: Berry, strawberry, pear, green apple, citrus, oaky, very balanced fruit, nice, soft, pleasant.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Eden Valley Orchards Pear House Oregon CranPerry Cider



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Eden Valley Orchards Pear House
Organic Hard Pear Cider

(Oregon) 6.9% ABV

Aroma: Pear, sweet Anjou pear, yellow pear, Golden apple, Red Delicious apple, elderberry, slight citrus.
Palate: Pear, yellow pear, poached pear, melon, applesauce, Red Delicious apple, mint, briny, demi-sec, tart, fresh, well balanced, soft bubbles, nicely done.
Finish: Pear, apple, great lingering apple crisp, mint, spicy, woody, nice, fresh, clean, crisp, refreshing, great.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Eden Valley Orchards Pear House Organic Hard Pear Cider



Rekorderlig Pear Hard Cider
(Sweden) 4.5% ABV

Aroma: Pear, green pear, apple, Gala apple, crisp sweet apple, apple farm, plum, spearmint, slightly sweet, ripe.
Palate: Ripe pear, Red Delicious apple, sour apple candy, sweet ripe peach, lemon, mint, flowery, nutty, lightly tart, complex, well balanced, tight bubbles.
Finish: Pear, tart apple, oaky, crisp, soft, smooth, pleasant, good for brunch.

Silver Medal
Silver medal




Rekorderlig Pear Hard Cider



Merchant’s Daughter Dry Hard Cider
(New York)  Made with fresh-pressed NY State apples. 7% ABV

Aroma: Crisp apple, Golden Washington apple, green apple, lemon peel, dried apple, dried apricot, fresh.
Palate: Tart green apple, pear, citrus, mint, spicy, oaky, sour notes, crisp.
Finish: Green apple, sour apple, citrus, tart, crisp.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Merchant’s Daughter Dry Hard Cider

 

 

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