Maker: Vander Mill, Spring Lake, Michigan, USA
Style: Cider with pecans, vanilla and cinnamon (sugar added).
ABV: 6.9%
Purchased for $11/4 pint cans (Holiday Market)
Appearance: Pale gold with a little effervescence.
Nose: Toffee apples, toasted pecans.
Palate: Still effervescent. Light and semi-sweet. Candy apple with nuts, but never sticky or cloying.
Finish: Crisp and clean with a lingering nuttiness.
Parting words: This is the third Vander Mill cider I’ve reviewed and they’ve all been good. This one is no exception. It’s flavorful without being obnoxiously so. What keeps the flavor in check is a solid dry cider base. It’s so well balanced that it even drinks well with a meal, not just after one. I had it with everything from Pierogis and Kielbasa to rum-soused halibut and it held up well. The price is fair for an artisanal cider of this quality. I like the pint cans too. Vander Mill’s Totally Roasted is recommended.
Sipology 