La Chouette Cidre Brut Artisanal (4.5%, 750ml) The dry/drier version of the La Chouette cider is, again, made from 100% organically grown regional cider apples, without any addition of sugar, additives, except sulphite. Unfortunately, the company's homepage isn't much help, it doesn't even mention the dry version.
The colour is a clear bright amber, with a small white head. This one has strong aroma of wild, ripe apples, with a strong farmyard odour, dare I say: Dung? Apple peels, some candied fruit, some lemon. Certainly drier that the "Original", but not really very dry. The farmyard notes extend into the flavour, which has some wood and funk along with ripe apples, tannins, and some moderate vinegar. Dry and tannic finish, before the barnyard returns, along with apple skins, some mild sugar sweetness in the aftertaste.
This one is excellent, if you don't mind the dung notes too much. Smells and tastes like a real farmhouse scrump cider. 8/10
Reviewed on 27 Oct 2023
