I recently received a selection of specialty ciders from Portland Cider Company, fruit-forward ciders that comprise a new year-round imperial cider and “the return of two fan-favorites.”
The new imperial is Island Daiquiri, with 8.4% alcohol by volume and billed as an apple wine with tropical fruit; it was crafted with pineapple, orange zest, coconut water, and nutmeg. The tasting notes say:
Bursts of juicy pineapple, perfectly balanced by the smooth, velvety notes of fresh coconut. As the flavors develop, the bright citrus zest of orange emerges, adding a refreshing twist. The finish is rounded off with a gentle warmth of nutmeg, providing a nuanced spice that lingers pleasantly.
Passion Orange Guava is the new seasonal, available through August, a returning favorite inspired by POG from Hawaii. It has 5.5% ABV and according to the website, includes passion fruit, guava, and tangerine (which would give more “orange” character than regular oranges).
Finally, the small batch Concord Grape made its return “from the depths of the PCCo archives.” At 5.7% ABV, it’s a blend of several apple varietals (Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Fuji), and Concord grape juice. The tasting notes for this one say:
Grape-forward with a subtle apple finish. The initial taste is dominated by the sweet and tangy flavor of Concord grapes, followed by a semi-sweet apple finish. The balance of carbonation is delicate, enhancing the overall drinking experience.
I haven’t cracked any of these open yet but I am looking forward to doing so.
