COMPARATIVE LIT ESSAY:
September is nearing an end and fall colors are starting to burst out all over my neighborhood. I find the crisp nights mix well with crisp ciders and make for great drinking sessions. So tonight I have two ciders (Honeycrisp and Late Fall) from a new cider maker in Colorado that is making really high quality ciders. Almost all of Haykin Family’s lineup is made up of ciders that resemble sparkling wines and everything I have tasted has been light and bubbly. The second drink is an Outcider from 2 Towns based out of Oregon. This is one of their flagship ciders available in the Pacific Northwest or online. Lastly, is a widely available cider from British giant Strongbow. Artisanal Blend is marketed as a slight cut above their standard Gold Apple or Original ciders.
All three of these are great ciders but there are definite differences. As mentioned above, both of the Haykin ciders are lighter than the other two and more bubbly—with Late Fall having the most obvious bubbles. As you can see from the pic the colors are all pretty different too. Both Artisanal Blend and Outcider are lightly cloudy and Artisanal Blend has an orangish hue where Outcider is a pale yellow; both of the Haykins are a golden straw color. There are differences in flavor as well with the Outcider being the most aggressive as it is a farmhouse-style cider that utilizes the raw flavor of the types of apples crushed and fermented with a good amount of acidity that packs a punch. The Artisanal Blend on the other end is the sweetest and has a nice jammy mouthfeel. Honeycrisp is probably the driest of the four, but is very drinkable. My favorite of the night has to be Late Fall and not just because this seasonal cider fits the mood perfectly. It has such a delicate profile, with a bit of sweetness and raspberry flavor, and the beautiful taste really lingers forever. The Artisanal Blend also has a great finish and lingering aftertaste and would probably be my choice if I was on a budget—you can get about 7 Artisanal Blends for the price of one of one Late Fall—but Late Fall is also a more intricate and delicate flavor and would be the choice if you wanted to pair it with a meal. While the Outcider is great, its raw and gritty profile seem more appropriate for a different mood. Thus, for a nice celebratory night in tonight, I want the elegant and soothing Late Fall from Haykin. It is excellent.