Cidrerie Lacroix – Pionnier

Cider Profile:

Name: Cidrerie Lacroix – Pionnier
Sampled December 2024

Brand: Cidrerie Lacroix  / Arista Wines Type: Flavoured – Spiced Location of Brewing: Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, QC ABV: 7% Website Link: cidrelacroix.com Ingredients: Cider (apple juice, yeasts, spices infusion, potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphite, carbon dioxide), sugar (maple syrup) Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Content: N/A Size(s) available: 355 ml (can) Availability: Lacroix retail and online stores Flavour: Apple Colour:  Transparent, almost neon yellow. Carbonation: Small, frequently streaming bubbles. Fewer on ice.

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Cider Crate Tasting Notes:

Smell: Strong aroma. Maple syrup with some brown sugar elements. Light bright apple.
Initial Taste: Medium bite, Semi-strong burnt/aged maple with coffee elements upfront.  Bright and clean dessert apple.  Somewhat sweet with a slightly bitter element (maybe from coffee-like notes)
After Taste: Apples dissipate leaving a bit of an earthy finish with some dark maple undertones.  Somewhat long lasting.
On ice: Apple and crispness reduced.  More coffee-like

Additional Notes: The Lacroix Pionnier is a unique offering.  With a more burnt-like maple, we notice a strong coffee presence and flavouring – although not a listed ingredient.  Apple is bright and crisp, with a brilliant yellow, almost neon in colour.  As the apple dissipates, a darker and slightly earthy undertone shows up. Maple syrup really shows in the end, with a creamy, sugary finish like a maple cream candy.

Rated on a scale of 1-5
Sweet – 4
Sour – 3
Crisp – 4
Dry – 2
Fruity – 4

Next recommendations:
More Sweet – Joli Rouge – Erable
More Sour – Cidrerie Verger Pednault – Pomme d’Erable
More Dry – Domaine Lafrance – Darragon de Brandy de Pomme
More Crisp – Domaine Heritage – Abbott’s Corner

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