Cider 2018
 

Best Cider - 2018

 

The Fifty Best Cider Tasting 2018

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of hard ciders with members of our judging panel. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the ciders were poured into fresh glasses from new 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 best. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded based on a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no bronze medals awarded for this tasting.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The states of origin, ABV and other tidbits of information are identified for each cider.



DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Black Apple Crossing
Blue Note Cider

Blueberry & Tea flavored. (Arkansas) 7.5% ABV

Aroma: Dark cherry, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, black currants, cranberry, raspberry tea with honey, lavender tea, dark tea leaves, hibiscus, floral, vanilla.
Palate: Black cherry, dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, candy apple, vanilla, vanilla bean, hibiscus, tea leaves, herbal notes, cinnamon.
Finish: Cranberry, lemon-lime, honey, dried dark stone fruit, violet, floral, red wine, high maceration, light tannin, smooth, vibrant.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Black Apple Crossing Blue Note Cider



Doc's Draft
Cassis Black Currant Hard Apple Cider

(Warwick Valley Wine Co., NY ) 6% ABV

Aroma: Black cherry, tart cherry, raspberry, currants, cranberry, Welch’s grape juice, earthy.
Palate: Raspberry, black cherry, dark plum, cassis, pomegranate, passion fruit, apple peel, dried cherry, aged cherry, hibiscus, light yeast, very fresh & lean, very well balanced.
Finish: Raspberry, cherry, orange, strawberry jam, fruit forward, creamy, balanced, great finish.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Doc's Draft Cassis Black Currant Hard Apple Cider



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Romilly
2015 Cidre de Normandie Doux

(Normandie, France) 4.9% ABV

Aroma: Gala apple, sweet apple, red apple, pear, honey, vanilla, eucalyptus, earthy, fermented grain, yeast, wood barrel.
Palate: Golden Delicious apple, pear, apricot, nectar, orange, marmalade, honey, buttery, cream soda, mead, nicely balanced.
Finish: Apple puree, pear, white grape, citrus soda, honey, musty, yeast, brandy-like, fresh, complex.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Romilly 2015 Cidre de Normandie Doux



Diskin Cider
Local AF

Blackberry Vanilla Port Cider
(Nashville, TN) 6.5% ABV

Aroma: Cherry, plum, black currant, framboise, red berries, cassis, hibiscus, honey, black tea, sherry.
Palate: Blackberry, concentrated blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry notes, dark raisin, hibiscus, black tea, lambrusco.
Finish: Apple skin, macadamia nut, minty, dry, refreshing.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Diskin Cider Local AF





Doc's Draft
Original Hard Apple Cider

(Warwick Valley Wine Co., NY) 5% ABV

Aroma: Crisp apple, concentrated apples, pear, citrus, honey, vanilla, elderflower, fresh cut grass, clove, nutmeg, crisp.
Palate: Red Delicious apple, Golden Delicious apple, Granny Smith apple, pear, pineapple, mango, banana, light grape, honey, buttery, fresh, smooth, approachable.
Finish: Pear, pineapple, apricot, citric, floral, stone, brut, perfect balance, flavorful.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Doc's Draft Original Hard Apple Cider




Black Apple Crossing
Hop-Work Orange Cider

Infused with Oranges & Cascade Hops. (Arkansas) 7.5% ABV

Aroma: Sweet clementine, orange peel, pink grapefruit, grapefruit, lemon, citrus, nectarine, pineapple, mango, ginger, honey, black tea, Earl Grey tea.
Palate: Clementine, orange peel, grapefruit, lemon peel, citrus, black tea, dark tea leaves, hops, tart, elegant.
Finish: Orange zest, orange juice, pineapple, citrus, grape, black tea, malt, flavorful.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Black Apple Crossing Hop-Work Orange Cider



Rekorderlig
Premium Pear Hard Cider

(Sweden) 4.5% ABV

Aroma: Pear, green pear, red apple, Gala apple, crisp green apple, peach, lemon peel, subtle citrus, peaches & cream, vanilla, cream soda.
Palate: Pear, lychee, red apple, strawberry, citrus soda, honey, easy to drink.
Finish: Sweet pear, candied fruit, jammy, marmalade, well balanced, nice finish.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Rekorderlig Premium Pear Hard Cider



Black Apple Crossing
Cardinal Kiss Hibiscus Infused Cider

(Arkansas) 7.5% ABV

Aroma: Crisp apples, pear, cherry, raspberry, ripe grapefruit, pomelo, green apple skin, tropical fruit, vanilla, hibiscus, some funk.
Palate: Melon, pink grapefruit, lemony, pear, strawberry, marmalade, jammy, hibiscus, floral, mint, yeast, soft tannins.
Finish: Red currant, cooked raspberry, subtle red fruit, grapefruit, mint.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Black Apple Crossing Cardinal Kiss Hibiscus Infused Cider



Romilly
2015 Cidre de Normandie Brut

(Normandie, France) 4.9% ABV

Aroma: Ginger, honeycomb, light buttery leather, menthol, minerality, earthy, sat on lees, yeasty, woody, oak barrel.
Palate: Apple, red apple, caramel, mint, brett, brine, mineral, yeast, sauvignon blanc, dry wood, autumn.
Finish: Mango, apple skin, brett, musty, mineral, clean, fresh, complex.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Romilly 2015 Cidre de Normandie Brut



Diskin Cider
Bob’s Your Uncle - English Dry Cider

(Nashville, TN) 6.9% ABV

Aroma: Golden Delicious apple, fresh cut apples, passion fruit, mango, mango puree, banana, tropical fruit, honeydew melon, citrus, honeysuckle, floral, mint, fragrant.
Palate: Green apple, pear, melon, lemon peel, pineapple, dried apricot, white raisin, peach taffy, honey, ginger, elderflower, clove, nutmeg, light mint, champagne, tart.
Finish: Nectarine, pineapple, strawberry, orange peel, mint, cut grass, clean, soft, smooth, flavorful.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Diskin Cider Bob’s Your Uncle English Dry Cider



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider
The Last Blacksmith

(Breezy Hill Orchard, NY) 6.8% ABV

Aroma: Pomegranate, red apple, pear, orange peel, honey, ginger, dandelion, floral, light cardamom, wet stone, aromatic.
Palate: Lemon peel, Moscatel, white wine, nutmeg, earthy, yeast, sour mash, tannins.
Finish: Vegetal, lightly sour, yeast, minerality, bright acid, fresh.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider The Last Blacksmith



Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider
Traditional

(Breezy Hill Orchard, NY) 6.8% ABV

Aroma: Red apple, pear, tangerine, orange peel, Juicy Fruit gum, honey, brett, mineral, bark, woody.
Palate: Clementine, orange peel, lemon peel, lemon, sour apple, cactus, vegetal, gose beer, bread, grain, yeast, spice, hoppy notes, tannins.
Finish: Sour apple, orange, citrus, vegetal, nutty, dry prosecco, crisp.

Silver Medal
Silver medal




Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider Traditional

 

 

 

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