John J. Kellys Traditional Irish Hard Cider

Ah, the power of suggestion. I was told this cider was from England, which put a nice well blended, yet complex cider into mind. When this one was tasted, I got a straight forward narrow flavor of sweet fermented apple juice with a little tartness in the finish. Complex? Perhaps it was the suggestion, but I did think this cider was worth more than the 14 it rates now, but I’m a little disappointed the publican, nor the owner, knew where the cider was from.

I had the raspberry version but couldn’t find it exactly. It was okay, but nothing special by any means.

Poured into a pint glass. Soapy head. Clear, cream soda color. Smells of still water, faint apple juice, & Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Taste is mostly just mildly sweet apple chips mixed with a little white grape juice & sloppy alcohol. Half sour, mild tartness. Carbonation is just strong enough. It dries up on the blank finish. Sulfites are mostly in check. Better then Magner’s. Better then average cider.

Not terrible as a cider. It’s um, hard, and it’s name is Kelly. And it’s Irish!

it is what it is............................................................................

Pours clear pale gold with a moment of bubbly white head. The aroma is moderate in strength and emits some green apples, a sense of white wine and a bit of alcohol chemicals. The taste is a bit apple-y with mostly semi ripe mixed with ripe apples to give it a bit of apple tartness and apples sweetness. Midway and into the finish it really dries out and takes on a bit of a white wine fruitiness. Decent stuff creating a nice balance between sweetness and dryness.

Sort of pear juice color with a slight white head. Aroma of crisp apples. Tastes like greenish apples. Near medium body with a sweet/tart impact. If you want a cider, this is not a bad choice.

12 ounce bottle courtesy of a friend. Pours a pale yellow color with a thin head. Poor head retention and lacing. The aroma is tart apples. Very sweet and tart apple taste. Medium bodied with a sticky feel.