J.K.'s Scrumpy / Almar Orchards Orchard Gate Gold Organic Hard Cider
What the brewers say
“Only two ingredients comprise this cider: apple juice and yeast. We press our organic apples and let them ferment for up to six months. We then bottle- condition for several weeks.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Rustic, earthy complexity in the aroma, almost sweaty. Apple character isn’t cleanly expressed. Apple juice: sweet and simple. Over-ripe apple notes with some spiciness. A touch of acidity.”
Flavor: “Medium-sweet red ripe apples. Some brown turbinado sugar notes. Acidity nicely balances the residual sugar. Under-attenuated. Tastes more like apple juice than cider. Light buttery diacetyl. Very soft palate. Finish even seems malty. Spiced candy-like sweetness.”
Overall: “Soft apple flavor expresses much better in the flavor than in the aroma. Lovely complexity in the flavor, earthy and rich. Cloudy. Were it not for the light hint of fermented apple, I would assume this is raw apple cider. A bit too sweet.”
