The Cider Crate Top 5 New Ciders We Tried Winter 2021
We are starting a new thing here at The Cider Crate – we try dozens of new ciders every month, but want to start sharing our top 5 every season/3 months going forward. There are so many great ciders and cideries in Ontario and beyond so this is our way to given special recognition to those that really stood out to us.
- Shale Ridge – Cherry Chocolate
- Duntroon – Sumac
- Slabtown – Cider House Rules
- Heeman’s – Berry Blush
- West Avenue – Spontaneity
Shale Ridge – Cherry Chocolate
Right in time for Valentines Day, Shale Ridge released a beautiful Cherry Chocolate Cider that is sure to make you feel very romantic! Chocolate may sound like a weird idea in cider, but trust us, it works well! It reminded us of the cherry-filled milk chocolates you get in mixed boxes of chocolates at holidays, with the cherry being very jammy and candied – with the creamy chocolate coming through at the finish.
Tasting notes: https://staging2.thecidercrate.com/cider-type/shale-ridge-cherry-chocolate/
Buy it: Currently sold out
Duntroon – Sumac
Sumac is a flower that is well used in cooking – in particular in Middle Eastern Dishes – but hasn’t been used too much in cider thus far. In fact, this is the first cider we’ve had with sumac added. Being a very dry cider, it actually has a lot of lemony notes within from the sumac, as well of course being floral. Very zippy and peppy, its an intriguing shock to the senses and a strong deviation from ciders we’ve had before. A very unique and well executed cider.
Tasting notes: https://staging2.thecidercrate.com/cider-type/duntroon-sumac/
Buy it: https://my-site-102138-100343.square.site/
Slabtown – Cider House Rules
Winter may be a challenging time of year for most, but one thing that helps us get through is a good mulled cider to warm the palate and the soul. Slabtown has created a magnificent spiced cider that is creamy and yet still with a satisfying mulled punch to it. To sum up this cider, is basically an apple pie in a glass as there are bright vanilla and crust notes we could detect in this. Very cinnamon forward and just a pure delight.
Tasting notes: https://staging2.thecidercrate.com/cider-type/slabtown-cider-house-rules/
Buy it: Currently sold out
Heemans – Berry Blush
Continuing with our theme of pastries in a glass, the Berry Blush by Heeman’s gives us some serious strawberry shortcake vibes with enough tartness from the raspberries to give it a bit of an edge. It’s very smooth and sweet, but not sugary at all. Very refreshing, bright and uplifting – perfect for Spring!
Tasting notes: https://staging2.thecidercrate.com/cider-type/heeman-berryblush/
Buy it: https://store.heeman.ca/product/hard-cider-berry-blush/
West Avenue – Spontaneity
Made with crab-apples, West Avenue pulls out all of the punches for this bold and strong cider. Very sour, it doesn’t hold back – being gritty, tannic and very dry. Funky, pungent, and cellared tasting – just what fans of Spanish Sidras and heritage styles want to hear!
Tasting notes: https://staging2.thecidercrate.com/cider-type/west-avenue-spontaneity/
Buy it: https://www.westavenue.ca/store#!/Spontaneity-7-8-355ml/p/242621109/category=0
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