Clafeld – Empire Cider
Cider Profile:
Name: Clafeld – Empire Cider
Sampled July 2025
| Brand: Clafeld Cider House / Waupoos Estate Type: Apple – Single varietal Location of Production: Picton, ON ABV: 6.8% Website Link: waupooswinery.com/clafeldcider Ingredients: N/A, sulphites Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Content: N/A Size(s) available: 355ml (can) |
Cider Crate Tasting Notes:
Smell: Medium aroma. Semi-sweet apple, with a hint of earthiness. A bit caramelized and floral.
Initial Taste: Minimal bite. A clean, semi-crisp empire flavour. Some acidity, minimal tannin. Some natural sweetness, but off-dry. Fleshy empire.
After Taste: Apple becomes a bit softer, as some earthy apple peel notes peak through. Clean finish.
On ice: Thinner bodied, less apple character
Additional Notes: As part of their single varietal lineup, Clafeld’s Empire Cider is a clean, straightforward showcase of this common cooking apple. Not much of a flavour journey, it remains a semi-crisp and sharp apple throughout, leaning more fleshy, with a hint of peel in the finish. Some natural sweetness, but definitely more dry overall. A bit of acidity, but low tannin. Easy to consume – smooth and clean.
Rated on a scale of 1-5
Sweet – 2
Sour – 2.5
Crisp – 3.5
Dry – 3.5
Fruity – 3.5
Next recommendations:
More Sweet – Dirty Dog – Mac-Crisp
More Sour – Perth Farmhouse – Original Dry
More Dry – Heemans – Dry Empire
More Crisp – Duntroon – Empire Extra Dry Cyder
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