The Mitten- Virtue Cider

Not and overly documented review today.  Still have a little lingering cold that is preventing me from full tasting and nosing.  Hence, not much to review recently, as I've just been drinking from my well decanter.

Anyway, this was a bourbon barrel aged cider that I had been looking at for a while.  With the label and the bourbon barrel aging, it was screaming for Andy to try it.  Josh over at Sipology blog recommended it. I find a good portion of my tastes line up with Josh's fairly well and I trust his reviews pretty strongly.  Also, his basic format is a lot of my influence so far for this.  That isn't where I specifically want to go with this, but I haven't had time to put that together yet.  Nevertheless, I picked up some of this cider at Costco.

Nose: Tart apples, lots of effervescence.  I think this bottle was a little over carbonated, frankly.

Palate:  Not too sweet, definitely a lot of nice tart apple.  Fairly dry.  A surprising lack of any bourbon barrel influence.

Finish: Maybe a bit of alcohol and a hint of the bourbon barrel spices here, but otherwise just a fairly straightforward cider.

This wasn't to sickly sweet like so many ciders can be.  For $16-17 or so, it is a pretty decent drink and wouldn't be out of place to be served as a fancy champagne like item when you don't want to use a sparkling wine because they suck.  The slightly cloudy appearance of the cider may be a knock against this for use in that role, but it was a nice drink with my salmon caesar salad.

Cheers,
Andy