Woodchuck's Barrel Select Private Reserve

Woodchuck's Barrel Select Private Reserve (hence forth WCBSPR) wins the worst name award, luckily what's inside the bottle is better than its name. I do like the label and matching packaging, but it doesn't speak to the complexity of what is inside waiting for you.

Photo from Woodchuck website

Setting the mood:
This review is brought to you by the power outage last night at mine and Tidnab's house.  Originally, I had pulled this one out to enjoy while we played WoW (Sunday nights is raid night for those in the know).  Sometimes being a healer in a group of 25 people is not the most relaxing endeavor, so I thought WCBSPR might help.  Before we had time to start playing, the power suddenly went out.  About half our street was dark, and the power company took two hours to get us back up and running.  By then, we were on our way to bed and I had long finished my WCBSPR.

Photo from Woodchuck webiste

The company:
Woodchuck is a Vermont brewery focused on local sourcing and the environment.  The more I read, the more I liked them.  So, check out their webpage to find out more - but I'll give you the basics.  Water and power conservation are priorities for them.  They are working to use less water (1 gallons/1gallon of cider) and working with the local power company to reduce usage during peak times.  They also buy locally grown apples, print their labels on recycled paper, and use (25% of their total usage) power generated by cow um...patties.  Pretty cool in my book.  They also have a wide variety of products, many of them seasonal, for our enjoyment (well, mostly).  Woodchuck was one of the first ciders I tried years ago.  Their website walks you through how cider is made and links to their store where the metal sign pictured at right can be found along with glasses, t-shirts and how to make custom labels.

WCBSPR is a seasonal release for Woodchuck.  Bottled for release in December if you find any hanging out at your local store - buy it now.  They refer to it as their "ultra-limited" cider, and I can see why.  Its aged in white oak Kentucky bourbon barrels, which gives it a unique taste.  I've included their seasonal calendar at the bottom for those that are interested.

Where purchased:
Total Wine - I bought some singles but after trying it grabbed their last six-pack.


Reflections:
WCBSPR has a special place in my cider bytes' heart next to Crispin's Stagger Lee (see my review of it here).  Though I'm not a big fan of Jack Daniels or other Kentucky bourbons my love of Irish whiskey does give me an appreciation for their taste.  The first sip of WCBSPR is like a mellow sip of Kentucky whiskey.  The notes of smell are there - but not in the way where your nose feels like the alcohol will burn it.  It's light and rich and full-flavored.  I adore this cider it's fabulous straight from the bottle and still has a rich taste after it warms up.  I wouldn't call it refreshing or crisp, but I would call it mellow and jazzy.  Since it is made in Kentucky bourbon barrels, maybe I should say bluegrassy, but it can transport you and make your cider sipping feel like a luxury experience.  I have to say sipping it in the dark made the power outage tolerable.

Tidnab's sip:
He didn't get one this time, but last time I had to pry the bottle from his hand.

Scoring:
Sweetness: 8
Tartness: 6
Smoothness: 10
Fruit flavor: 7
Dryness:6
Carbonation: 8
Gluten free: Yes!
Alcohol content: 6.9%

Calories 250
Container & Size:12 oz. bottle
Price: six-pack about $12

Overall:10 - Wonderful - if you don't like bourbon/whiskey you might not be as impressed.

From Woodchuck's website

Blackthorn - I should've known

I'm back in black - well, I should say I'm back drinking Blackthorn cider. This particular cider bytes experience made me realize a few things. First, I don't like dry ciders. Looking at my review template, I realize this shouldn't be shocking as I have no ratings for 'dry.' I'm going to fix that and add one, but I'm a sweet girl - and I like my ciders that way, so read my thoughts and adjust according to your taste! Secondly, I'm not fond of cider being delivered in a can and I will start to note the cider delivery mechanism (aka packaging) as well. Now, on with the review.

Where purchased:
Total wine - my favorite cider purchasing store. 

Setting the mood:
I got home after a long day filled with a workshop that really needed help to a great dinner followed by some WoW time with my husband and friends.  I grabbed a Yuengling for Tidnab and the Blackthron cider for myself.  Now, when I play WoW and enjoy a cider, I usually keep it in the bottle/can because I'll be sipping (unless things are going REALLY bad) and I don't want to have it over ice and have it melting before I'm done.  So, I'm drinking out of a can... blah!

The company:
Blackthron is made in the UK using mostly local products.  Here's what their website says about their apple sourcing - it made me a happy girl!

"We have long term relationships with 68 local growers from Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Herefordshire where all the finest cider apples come from.  We are also the biggest employer in Shepton Mallet and over 90% of our fruit comes from within 50 miles from here."


I really like the local sourcing utilizing so many growers.  They are obviously having an impact on their community and that can play a big factor when I'm choosing a cider.  I like my money to go to companies that care. They also support local sport clubs - another thumbs up for them! 


One thing I can't figure out is who is the company behind Blackthorn.  A brief look at the Wikipedia page about them says they are owned by Constellation Brands, who owns more than 200 spirit brands but Blackthorn is not listed on their website.  A look at the bottom of the Blackthron homepage points to Magners (the name for Irish Bulmers in any country but Ireland), so I wonder if they have been bought.  I'll just have to wait and see.


They have two ciders Blackthorn and Dry Blackthorn.  They describe the apples they use on their website as:
"We use a good number of ‘Bittersweet’ cider apples in our blend. Bittersweet cider apples have low acid levels and high tannins."


This helped explain to me why I'm not a fan of dry ciders anymore than I am of dry white wines - the tannins.  They add carbonated water to their mix along with sulfites.  If you are sensitive to them - skip this cider.  Now, on with my reflection and rating!

Reflections:
I was disappointed whey I popped the top on the cider - there was no sound to indicate any carbonation.  I'm not sure why I expected one, but I did, and I worried from the start my expectations wouldn't be met.  Also, I have discovered that I'm not a big fan of English ciders - my guess is because of the bittersweet apples.  If I want dry, I'll drink wine - which is actually what dry ciders remind me in the mouth feel and after taste.  The apple flavor was there but not over powering and the carbonation was very light.  I will say that as the evening progressed and the cider warmed up, I liked it better.  I might try it again in a bottle or over ice.

Tidnab's sip:
He had a beer and was playing in the other room - no sip for him!

Scoring:
Sweetness: 6
Tartness: 7
Smoothness: 7
Fruit flavor: 6
Dryness: 9

Carbonation: 6
Gluten free: Yes
Alcohol content: 6%
Container type & Size: 16.9 fl oz can
Price: I believe about $2.50

Overall: 6

Crispin - On TAP!

Yesterday, I had a most wonderful time at Jana Oliver's book signing for the third book in her Demon Trappers series, Forgiven.  After her talk and signing at Barnes and Noble, a group of us adjourned to the pub, Firkin and Gryphon for a celebratory dinner and drinks.  You can imagine my surprise when I saw Crispin Cider  - ON TAP! 

Jana's newly released book - the third in the Demon Trappers series!

I excitedly ordered my pint of Crispins and was asked if I wanted it over ice - woohoo!  A pub outside of Ireland that actually knew how to server cider.   I have to be honest, in Ireland they only give you ice with the bottled and can cider - if it is on tap, they just pour it straight.  Soon, my beautiful cider arrived and I marveled and drooled a little at the glass:

Notice the beautiful - Crispin - on the glass

The Compnay:

I've reviewed the Crispin/Fox Barrel company before, so I'll refer you back to my previous post for more about them but just know they use real apples and strive for excellent ingredients with no colorants, sorbate or benzoate preservatives. They are my current favorite of craft cider brewers.

Reflections:

It was lovely - it tasted exactly how I expected - crisp with a good, strong apple taste. The taste remained good through out my evening of chatting and dinner. It was smooth without the bite of other draught ciders. I would have one of these again in a heartbeat - matter-of-fact I would go back to the Firkin and Gryphon to do so!

Scoring:

Sweetness: 7

Tartness: 5

Smoothness: 9

Fruit Flavor: 8

Carbonation: 9

Gluten free: Yes!

Overall: 9

Amazing - and so happy to have another choice on draught!