ThomasM

Badges Earned (17)

Cru Breton Cidre Brut from Val de Rance Val de Rance Cru Breton Cidre Brut (5% ABV, 750ml). This one is a clear bright amber with a small head. Compared to the same cidery's "Bio-Cidre", the aroma is weaker, almost veiled: Mild yellow apple flavour, muted vinegar, quince, beeswax. Medium body and carbonation. Despite some sweetness from rip apples, the dry and tannic bitter notes are dominant and quickly take over. Very tart apples towards the finish, some lemon, yeast. Moderately bitter aftertaste with apple skins and faint sulphur. Not quite as impressive as the medium-sweet Bio-Cidre, but still very refreshing and quaffable (7/10). Reviewed on 18 Oct 2023 4 likes

Draught Cyder from Aspall Aspall Draught Cyder (5.5% ABV, 500ml). Made in Suffolk from various bittersweet culinary and dessert apples, this appears to be one of the most popular ciders in the UK. Despite being bottled it's now called "Draught" because it's also available on tap in restaurants and pubs in the UK. Pale clear yellow colour. Light, crispy almost floral apple aroma, with a hint of pear. Medium body, modest carbonation. Sour, green apples on the palate at first, and again there's a floral-herbal note, too. Lemony, "green" note persists into the dry finish, with floral elements, green apple in the aftertaste. Lingering sourness. Certainly very refreshing and probably goes great with many foods. On its own though, a tad too sour for my taste. 6/10. Reviewed on 17 Oct 2023 4 likes

l'authentique French cider rose from Les Celliers Associes Les Celliers Associés Cidre d Bretagne Rosé Doux et Fruité (2.5% ABV, 750ml). Bright ruby colour, clear. Tiny head. This one contains colouring and citric acid. Fruity aroma, first of forest fruit and strawberries, then ripe red apples, plus some vinegar. Medium body, moderate to lively carbonation. Very sweet fruit taste at first, again a mix of forest fruits and ripe apples. The apples come to the fore later, with healthy acidity, apple skins. Mild tannic bitterness in the finish, blackberries. Sweetish aftertaste of apples, apple skins, mild vinegar. Approachable, intensely fruity cider that's more like a party drink. No funk in this one, which is rare for a French cider. 7/10. Reviewed on 28 Nov 2023 3 likes

Cidre Rose La Sulfureuse from Sassy Sassy Cidre Rosé "La Sulfureuse" (3% ABV, 750ml). The rosé cider from Sassy is made from 18 varieties apples from Normandy, including several red-fleshed ones, with no sweeteners or colouring. Pours a deep, clear salmon colour. Sweet red apples in the aroma, strawberries, with a notable dose of vinegar. Medium body, soft carbonation. On the palate, very sweet red apples and strawberries, with some bitterness of apple peels, and hefty acidity. The acidity last into the finish and aftertaste, as do apple peel and a hint of strawberries. Very fruity and lively rosé cider. (8.5/10) Reviewed on 20 Nov 2023 3 likes

El Gaitero Sidra Villaviciosa "White Label" from Sidra El Gaitero El Gaitero Sidra Villaviciosa "White Label" (4.1% ABV, 750ml). The company's classic sparkling cider which has been around since the end of the 19th century. Bright, clear golden yellow. Aroma of sweet & tart apples, pineapple, vinegar. Medium body, moderate to lively carbonation. Sugary apples on the palate, again pineapple, lively acidity. Ripe apples get stronger with time, lower acidity in the dry finish. Tart apples and vinegar in the aftertaste. Fruity semi-sweet traditional sparkling cider, vividly acidic. 8.5/10. Reviewed on 19 Nov 2023 3 likes

L'Inimitable from Sassy Maison Sassy Cidre "L'Inimitable" (5.2% ABV, 750ml). This cider is made by the family that owns the Château de Sassy in Normandy. Tart apples are carefully selected, then produced using traditional pressing and fermentation methods. Pours a deep, slightly reddish clear gold with a small head. Fairly intense aroma of musty, overripe apples, some funk, and faint prunes, with a mild dose of sulphur. Medium body, lively carbonation. Flavour is initially sweet, then tart red apples, slightly mouldy apple skins, a bit of farmyard earthiness, some acidity. Finish is dry, with some lemon, apple skins, aftertaste of some funk, apple skins, hints of citrus. A semi-dry French cider (the company calls it "brut") with a bit too much fizz, but interesting fruit and earthy notes. 8/10. Reviewed on 15 Nov 2023 3 likes

Dabinett Welsh Cider from Gwynt y Ddraig Cider Gwynt Y Ddraig Dabinett (6% ABV, 500ml). A single varietal offering from the Welsh cidery. No sweeteners nor colourings. Pours a bright, clear yellow golden. Light aroma of moderately sweet apples and floral notes. Medium body, soft carbonation. Yellow apples and, again, floral notes, on the palate. Limited acidity, more like softly sweet with mild tannins in the finish. Very weak floral aftertaste with hints of sweetness. I liked this one more than the first time around; it's a fresh-faced, light apple cider that won't offend anyone, but it's also very limited on the palate and doesn't have much depth. Full-bodied, as the company claims, its certainly not. 6.5/10. Reviewed on 12 Nov 2023 3 likes

Imperial Cyder from Aspall Aspall Imperial Cyder (8.2% ABV, 500ml). This one came without a front label somehow. It differs in many ways from the other Aspall ciders I've tried, in a good way. The colour is clear deep amber. Medium body, moderate carbonation. Aroma has ripe apples, fudge, hints of raisin, clove. Almost completely different from the other ones. On the palate, baked apples, raisins, tannic bitterness, mild caramel - all that but still being semi-dry. Mild bitterness in the finish, with faint candied apple, oak and vanilla in the aftertaste. FINALLY an Aspall cider that appeals to me, and not just because of the elevated ABV ;). 8/10 Reviewed on 09 Nov 2023 3 likes

Premier Cru from Aspall Aspall Premier Cru Cyder (6.8% ABV, 500ml). Only contains sulphite, no sweeteners nor colouring. Colour is pale clear yellow, Sauvignon Blanc-like. Aroma of green, tart apples, light acidity, unripe peach. Medium body, soft carbonation. Sourish, lemony apples, dry wine grapes, a modicum of sweetness following. Champagne yeast notes. Stronger acidity in the finish, with dry wine flavour. Greenish, sour apples and yeast in the aftertaste. I wonder why Aspall makes many different ciders that are really very similar in style. All dry, all sourish, all winey. The most distinguishing element here is the higher ABV, which delivers a slightly more rounded flavour and more "weight". 7/10 Reviewed on 07 Nov 2023 3 likes

Orchard Gold from Gwynt y Ddraig Cider Gwynt y Ddraig Orchard Gold (4.9% ABV, 500ml). Deep, clear golden colour, tiny head. Rather wan yellow apple flavour, a wee hint of floral notes. Not much. Light to medium body, modest carbonation. Yellow apples, hints of lemon and very mild acidity on the palate. Moderate tannic bitterness toward the middle and finish, apple skins. Rather weak aftertaste with hints of apple skins. Not terribly fruity stuff, "neutral". 6/10. Reviewed on 06 Nov 2023 3 likes