Broadway Cider

Brewed by Arnolds Broadway Cider
Style: Cider
Broadway, England

75cl bottle obtained at the brewer’s shop in Broadway. No head. Body is medium yellow. Aroma is lightly yeasty (barnyard, horseblanket), with notes of apple, bandage, mint, grape, sassafrass, wood, flowers. Flavor is lightly sweet, moderately acidic. Finish is moderately acidic. Medium body, watery texture, soft carbonation, lightly tannic. A very lightly carbonated, very dry, very rustic cider. Aromatic notes are extremely complex and one of the best I’ve experienced in the world of cider, but this is like a Bordeaux of the cider world; integration, complexity, finesse, and subtlety are the goals here, NOT power or boldness. As a result, most people will probably not find this cider compelling. A very refined little cider, indeed. Had a pleasant chat with the brewer about yeast, and found that he doesn’t use Brettanomyces to ferment this...so I’m guessing it has infiltrated his casks, as happens with wine (and it is a VERY attractive barny/horsey smell...about as attractive a variety as I’ve experienced, including all the lambics I’ve had). He sells mostly wine in his shop, so that may explain his focus on balance and integration for the cider. In fact, the small amount of residual sugar, along with the incidental carbonation and tannic grip make this seem more like wine than cider. Tastes like it’s alcohol-free, quite honestly...no trace whatsoever in aroma or aftertaste. Extremely high coolness factor, IMHO. Whereas Etienne Dupont Brut may be the d’Arenberg Dead Arm of ciders, this is the Léoville-Poyferre.