Windswept – Crimson Crisp (2018)

Cider Profile:

Name: Windswept – Crimson Crisp (2018)
Sampled October 2020

Brand:  Windswept Orchard Cider Type: Apple – Single Varietal Location of Brewing: Meaford, ON ABV: 6.6% Website Link: Ingredients: N/A Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Content: N/A Size(s) available: 500ml (bottles) Availability: Windswept Retail + online stores Flavour: Apple Colour:  Hazy straw yellow Carbonation: Medium, frequently streaming bubbles

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Cider Crate Tasting Notes:

Smell: Strong aroma. Funky, earthy notes amongst a bright apple base. Tonic hints.
Initial Taste:  Sharp bite from carbonation. Gripping tannic apple notes that appear quickly. Slightly tart. Peel and flesh notes.
After Taste: Carbonation reduces and makes way for a smoother flavour and mouthfeel. Honey and melon notes emerge. Dry but bright apple finish.
On ice: Carbonation drastically reduced. Flavour and harsher elements reduced. Fairly watered down.

Additional Notes:  This highly carbonated offering from Windswept, their 2018 harvest vintage of their Crimson Crisp features sharp apple flavours and some funky, earthy notes to give it that orchard edge. Balanced tannins help give this cider depth. You get the red apple peel flavour from the crimson crisp apples, but you also get some apple flesh notes here. 

Rated on a scale of 1-5
Sweet – 2
Sour – 3
Crisp – 4
Dry – 4
Fruity – 3.5 

Next recommendations:
More Sweet – Ardiel – Dry Apple Cider
More Sour – Grey & Gold – Spruce of the Bruce
More Dry – Duxbury – English Scrumpy
More Crisp – Thornbury – Honey Crisp Cider

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Windswept – Crimson Crisp (2017)
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