Farmgate – Russet Spy

Cider Profile:

Name: Farmgate – Russet Spy
Sampled February 2022

Brand: Farmgate Cider
Type: Apple – Crisp
Location of Brewing: Arnprior, ON
ABV: 9.5%
Website Link: farmgatecider.ca
Ingredients: N/A
Gluten Free: Yes
Sugar Content: N/A 

Size(s) available: 355ml (can)
Availability: Farmgate Online and Retail Store
Flavour: Apple
Colour: Translucent/Hazy golden sunshine
Carbonation: Medium, streaming bubbles


Cider Crate Tasting Notes:

Smell: Medium aroma. Rustic, earthy and slightly bright apples.
Initial Taste: Medium bite with some acidity and carbonation. Blended apple notes that are bright and slightly sharp but still respectably dry. Some funk. Banana-like notes.
After Taste: Becomes more dry with more fermentation notes noticeable.  Apple remains, becomes more tannic and acidic to finish.
On ice: A lot less juicy. More wine like, less finish.

Additional Notes:  The Russet Spy Cider is a unique blend of Russet + Northern Spy apples from Farmgate Cider that has both bright and sharp notes, while still being dry and tannic.  A bit of funk, it’s not necessarily an entirely “clean tasting cider” but still very crisp and flavour forward. Slightly tangy and acidity driven the entire journey. A touch of sweetness – possibly from the spy – that comes out when it gets warmer.  Even with its high ABV of 9.5%, it’s pretty easy to drink. 

Rated on a scale of 1-5
Sweet – 2
Sour – 3
Crisp – 3.5
Dry – 3.5
Fruity – 3.5

Next recommendations:
More Sweet – Thornbury – Craft Sparkling Cider
More Sour – The Old Third – Golden Russet Cider
More Dry – FieldBird – Northern Spy (2018)
More Crisp – Twin Pines – Hammer Bent Red

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