Ciderboys First Press Traditional Hard Cider
What the brewers say
“Everything changes when you bite into a bottle of First Press. Eyes of friends sparkle. Passion overflows with the anticipation of sweet, crisp, and tart. Taste hard cider fireworks.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Rich aroma with notes of dark fruit (plums and dates), a touch of lic- orice, a hint of green apple, and a light lavender perfume aspect. Cider vinegar and champagne yeast notes add depth. Clean with very low sulfur.”
Flavor: “Red Delicious apple flavor comes through sweet with a touch of dark honey. Very light saltiness in the finish adds complexity. A touch of cinnamon and clove in the yeast profile becomes evident as it warms. On the sweet side, but the tartness keeps it from being cloying. Moderately strong malic acidity and bitterness with a very green apple aftertaste.”
Overall: “Very fun cider—much more contemplative than many. Would hold up well paired with some chicken curry. Despite the slight banana ester and the light hit of vinegar up front, this had some interesting complexity and depth. Aftertaste is very Jolly Rancher.”
