Maker Notes
Research and development (but with cider!)
Why notes?
Taste, of course, is a highly subjective thing. But cider making is an art and a science. Cider apples have unique flavor characteristics - which for nerds like us - are worth noting, helping expand our appreciation and enjoyment of each cultivar. Tasting notes can also identify how apples respond to growing conditions – helping us make better, more delicious choices in how and where to grow varietals. This library details nearly every cider we’ve made since 2019, using a common “spider chart” format ranking 18 criteria ranging from basics like sweetness, tartness and astringency to how each cider recalls other fruit and spice categories. Members of our Core Club receive copies of these with each shipment, along with a crib sheet providing background on how we define our criteria - making it easy and fun for fans to compare their experiences with ours.
Use the search tools below to explore the archive, noting batch numbering for each release, wherein the first digit(s) represent product sequence followed by abbreviated year of release. Above all, enjoy cider!
Blackstrap
Reserve Series | Batch 6.22
A "New England" style cider inspired by colonial-age recipes. Harrison and Virginia varietals, co-fermented with raisins, local Juneberries and molasses. Markedly different than last year's version, this cider offers notes of pear, quince, tobacco and molasses, backed by plenty of chewy tannins.
Core Club 2022 Q3 Selection
Major Hewes
Reserve Series | Batch 07.20
A blend of a classic British cider apple (Major) and one of the most storied American cider apples (Hewe's Crab). Aged to perfection with a small amount of keeved cider added at bottling. Starchy apple and quince flavors with peaty earth, mild bittersweet funk and medium tannins. Bottled still, this one’s especially bright in the glass, showing notable viscosity.
Core Club 2020 Q3 Selection
Kingston Black
Reserve Series | Batch 06.20
Notoriously hard to grow, Kingston Black is nonetheless the world’s most renown cider apple, presenting an ideal balance of flavor, tannins and acidity. Baked apple and dried fruit flavors over white pepper, caramel and oaky notes; medium tannins. Delicious!
Core Club 2020 Q3 Selection
Wickson Crabapple
Reserve Series | Batch 05.20
One of pomologist Albert Etter's finest creations, Wickson crabapples (introduced in 1944) were developed with west coast conditions in mind. True to form, this cider exhibits a bright, spicy character with green apple, nectarine, lemongrass and stone fruit notes.
Core Club 2020 Q3 Selection
Taliaferro*
Prime Selection | Batch 04.20
Considered by the late Tom Burford as possibly the "lost" apple once favored by Thomas Jefferson (as documented in the book Apples of North America), this very limited offering hails from a cutting now cultivated in Potlatch ID. Presents notes of honeysuckle, quince, strawberry, plum and lemongrass.
Core Club 2020 Q3 Prime Selection