The Cider Mill Ciderkin, 4.0% ABV,
500 ml bottle, Dunnes Stores
amongst the finest drinks produced in Ireland.
A cider for harvest-time or indeed any other celebration. The aromas are not as delicate as some reviewers write; they are expressive, undoubtedly so, and hint strongly enough too of the orchard (more or less what you'd expect).
The liquid itself is clear and is well populated with microbubbles rising to the top. On the palate, it’s light, crisp, and refreshing. Full of tangy apple and tropical fruit flavours, with a slight sweetness though the balance is spot-on. And, at 4% ABV, it is Very Highly Recommended for a pleasant session.
Indeed, this crisp cider was introduced a few years ago as “Irelands first and only Session Cider, it's a revival of an old Irish light and fruity style of cider that was traditionally used as part payment of farm labourers wages.” This practice was outlawed in 1887 but persisted for many years afterwards.
Mark Jenkinson’s Slane Cider Mill suggests that cider does not always get the considerarion it deserves when it comes to matching it with food. I found a couple of suggestions on their Instagram. “it's a #realcider and real wood #bbq, none of your fake cider or charcoal thanks! Why not steak and cider?” A mushroom & cider stroganoff is also suggested!
“Mr Jenkinson’s Revival Series are amongst the finest drinks produced in Ireland.” So said the McKennas and I’d certainly agree. There are two others in the series, Windvane (which we also have here) and Lamhog (which we don’t).
The Cider Mill says the series is a celebration of Irish Cider Heritage …. “We are dedicated to reviving Ireland’s lost cider-making traditions.. creating ciders of exceptional quality and character.” And they hit the mark every time!
“Based on flavour , not sweetness, these are three very different ciders, each one unique and “nothing like you have tasted before”. Briefly, they rise in strength and flavour from 4% and Crisp, 5% and Smooth to 6% and Bold.
And each is an honest expression of the orchard and the heritage apples used, the unique methods and wild fermentation techniques employed for each batch.
The Cider Mill Windvane, Harvest Series,
5.0% ABV, 500 ml bottle, Dunnes Stores
This may be their take on a traditional Farmhouse Draught but it turns out to be one of the smoothest ciders around. Over 20 varieties of apples were used in the blend and you can smell the autumnal orchard here. The pleasing mid-gold colour draws you in and the rich juiciness of the fruit keeps you sipping. It is lightly carbonated, juicy, rich and smooth with complex apple orchard flavours. Absolutely refreshing with quite a dry finish.
The Windvane, named after a wind indicator once seen working on many Irish farmhouses, is smooth and rounded, crisp with “the right balance of tannins”. An exquisite cider and Very Highly Recommended.
Con’s Irish Cider, 5.5% ABV, The Apple Farm
More real Irish cider from Con Traas.
Con’s Irish Cider is a small batch Real Cider made from seasonal Irish apples hand-picked on the Traas family farm in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, where visitors are always welcome.
I was at the farm to get some of the scarce superb cherries that they grow here but there was no way I was leaving without a few bottles of this super cider. Simply made with no routine additions of sugar or water to their apple juice. Simple, yes, but simply superb.
The natural imprint of the orchard is all over this one, from the golden colour, reminiscent of an Autumn sunset, to the fruity aromas and flavours, it’s a lovely mouthful and satisfying finish. No shortage of oomph. Cider doesn’t get any more real than this tip-top Tipperary bottle.
I have been supping this for quite a few years now. The initial burst in the mouth reminded me instantly of something Brooklyn brewer Garrett Oliver said at Ballymaloe LitFest a few years back: “You hear people say, when they taste a craft beer: This is nice, doesn't taste like beer." He had an explanation: “The beer they grew up with didn't taste like real beer!” Same with cider.
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