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!

Reserve Series Rick Hastings Reserve Series Rick Hastings

Golden Russet

Reserve Series | Batch 8.23

Golden Russets may resemble potatoes (due to their bronze-hued, russeted skins), but they’re one of America’s best cider apples. Here's an example from our friends at Century Steep Orchards, offering a more subtle version of our mainline GR – with notes of jackfruit, ripe pear, butterscotch and nutmeg.

Core Club 2023 Q4 Selection

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American Singles Rick Hastings American Singles Rick Hastings

Golden Russet

American Singles | Batch 1.23

Golden Russets may resemble potatoes (due to their bronze-hued, russeted skins), but they’re one of America’s best cider apples. This richly-flavored offering expresses tropical jackfruit, ripe pear, butterscotch and nutmeg notes. Crazy-high ABV courtesy lots of Yakima Valley sunshine!

General Release

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American Singles Rick Hastings American Singles Rick Hastings

Golden Russet

American Singles | Batch 1.22

Golden Russets may resemble potatoes (due to their bronze-hued, russeted skins), but they’re one of America’s best cider apples. This richly-flavored offering expresses tropical jackfruit, nutmeg, medlar, tobacco and butterscotch flavors. Crazy-high ABV courtesy lots of Yakima Valley sunshine!

General Release

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Reserve Series Rick Hastings Reserve Series Rick Hastings

Golden Russet

Reserve Series | Batch 06.21

Made from 100% Golden Russets – perhaps America's first and very best cider apple. Barrel-aged, this one expresses tropical notes (Jackfruit?), brown butter and spice flavors (Nutmeg?) Crazy-high initial sugars makes this high octane cider a unique treasure!

Core Club 2021 Q3 Selection

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Reserve Series Rick Hastings Reserve Series Rick Hastings

Dosoro

Reserve Series | Batch 04.21

Made on recommendation from Tim and Diane at Steury Orchards, Dosoro is a blend of Golden Russet and Grimes Golden apples. Floral aromatics lead flavors of quince, peach pit, clove and white pepper, and oddly enough, an oakiness that was in no way introduced during fermentation or aging.

Core Club 2021 Q2 Selection

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Reserve Series Rick Hastings Reserve Series Rick Hastings

Golden Russet + Columbia Crab

Reserve Series | Batch 10.20

This one-off blend marries varying profiles from two of our favorites, expressing quince, peach preserve, apricot ripe citrus and herbal notes. Barrel-aging helped soften the Columbia's tart edges, while adding a touch of butter on the nose.

Core Club 2020 Q4 Selection

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American Singles Rick Hastings American Singles Rick Hastings

Golden Russet

Heirloom Series | Batch 1.20

Made from 100% Golden Russets – perhaps America's very best cider apple. Tropical blend and spice flavors (Jackfruit? Nutmeg?), coupled with crazy-high initial sugars makes this high octane cider a real treasure!

General Release

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