Maker: Tandem Ciders, Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA
Apples: Brown Snout, Dabinette, Crimson Crisp, Russet Beauty, Kilcherman Select Penny Blend, Crimson Gold, Swayzee Russet, Harrison, Riene de Pomme, Fameuset, Fameuse, Honey Crisp (according to website).
Place of origin: Leelanau, Old Mission Peninsulas, Michigan, USA.
Style: Dry blend.
ABV: 6.9%
Purchased for $13 (Westborn Market)
Appearance: Dark gold and lightly effervescent.
Nose: Intense. Cut apple wood, sourdough, apple juice.
Palate: Dry and tannic, but juicy. Bitter apple core, freshly pressed apple.
Finish: Dry and clean, with a little astringency.
Parting words: My laptop passed away right before Thanksgiving, so I haven’t been able to post for a few weeks. I appreciate your patience, dear readers!
Anyway, Tandem is one of Michigan’s best cider producers and this is one of their best ciders. It has everything a dry craft cider should have: Fruit, tannin, and yeasty funk. Of those, Tannin is in the lead. It’s never chewy, though, but crisp and a bit woody, although it didn’t spend in time in a barrel as far as I know. It doesn’t clash with food, but it’s better as a sipper than a table cider.
$13 is a good price for a quality dry cider like this. Earnest is recommended.
