Farnum Hill Semi-Dry Still Cider

Brewed by Farnum Hill Ciders
Style: Cider
Lebanon, New Hampshire USA

750 ml bottle from the Beverage Warehouse in Winooski, VT, consumed around cellar temperature in a wine glass. This is, interestingly, not even remotely still in appearance, with lots of bubbling and even a bit of fizzy foam (instantly dying) atop the light gold, clear body.....moderately sweet, rustic, earthy nose of damp humus, band-aid and oak....fairly sweet initially shading to moderately sour midpalate and quite tart at the finish, light alcohol presence throughout, very mineralic and reminiscent of a drier Riesling....becomes a bit too alcoholic in presence at the very finish as it warms. Interesting but only partially successful, just too rough and boozy.

Bouteille verte de 750 ml achetée au Beverage Warehouse (Winooski, VT). Partagée avec Goldorak et une amie. Arôme: Odeur d’urine de chat (?). Apparence: La couleur est jaune pâle. Saveur: Gout de pommes. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture huileuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Présence d’une légère amertume en arrière goût. (Rating #472)

Thanks Marc for splitting this with us!

Pilsner-like yellow and with the consistency and robe of dry white wine.
My friend Caro’s first reaction was "Hey, this smells like Vanilla!" Marc and I looked at her funny, because there was no doubt that this had nothing even close to that aroma. She then explained that Vanilla is the name of her cat. She nailed it right on the head, the first whiff is very catty (I don’t see it as a bad thing, by the way), the feline urine slowly turns to hay, then gives out wooden notes, but not oaky. It made me think of those crates they use in orchards to carry around the apples.
Still and dry, with lavander notes and really tannic for a cider, I don’t really know which type of apple gives these characteristics, I checked out the website and the varietals were unknown to me (there are so many types of apples out there it’s insane!). The tannins and visible alcohol in the finish really makes it dry. As the bottle says, I agree that it’s a good alternative to white wine, but nothing to really make it stand out from whatever you’re serving it with.

Same as other semi dry, lacking carbonation, and seems a little more sweet, though prolly just my imagination.