Specialty Hard Cider

I started this batch on March 30, 2014, and since the yeast finally decided to start dropping out, bottled it today with an FG of 1.004. I found that the yeast I chose for this batch is a good match to leave a little residual sugar and not dry the cider out too much.  ABV is 8.6%. Color is deep golden/slightly orange. Smell: Aromas of apples, cinnamon, and a hint of clove.  Taste: semi-sweet apple, cinnamon, and very light clove on the finish.  The spicing is subtle so as not to overpower the apple flavor.  Overall the spice and the cider itself seem to be well balanced.  Not bad for my first 6 gallon attempt at a specialty hard cider.  I bottle primed with 4.75 ozs of dextrose (corn sugar) in hopes that the yeast is still healthy enough to carbonate.  I'll know in a week or two. CHEERS!

Smoked Maple Nut Brown

And into the bottles finally!  FG at 1.016 placing ABV at 7%.  Smell: aromas of sweet cherrywood smoke, maple, and toasted nuts.  Taste: smooth, medium-body mouthfeel and the flavors of the maple, cherrywood smoke, and nuttiness, meld together nicely with a slight bitterness, possibly slight astringency, that balances out the sweetness.  After a few sips there is a slight warmth, but no hot alcohol in the flavor.  I bottle primed with 4 oz of maple sugar.  I'll post again in 2-3 weeks after conditioning.
CHEERS!

Smoked Maple Nut Brown

Still some very slight activity going on in the airlock.  Decided to pull a sample for a gravity and tasting. Gravity at 1.016 placing ABV at 7%.  Smell: Sweet aromas of smoke and maple with a deep nutty character.  Flavor: Medium body:  Tastes of maple, smoke, and a nice nutty finish.  Once the airlock activity subsides, I will bottle.  I'm going to bottle prime with maple sugar.
CHEERS!

Smoked Maple Nut Brown

I checked the gravity today and it is still 1.018.  Aroma of smoke, nuts, and some light maple.  Flavor is semi-sweet upfront, then mellow smoke, and a slight bitterness before the nutty finish.  Added a little more maple syrup to increase the maple flavor.  I think it is coming along nicely.  I"ll post again at bottling, another week to 10 days out.

CHEERS!

   

Specialty Hard Cider Update

Well, still slightly cloudy and the airlock float is to the top of the airlock.  I'll let it age until it clarifies more and the airlock float drops.  No taste test or gravity test at this time as it seems to be stable 1.004.  I will take a gravity reading at bottling.
CHEERS!

Smoked Maple Nut Brown

Racked to secondary today onto 8 fl oz of Dark Amber Maple Syrup.  Gravity is 1.018 currently which places ABV at 6.8%.  Aroma of rich, nutty, smoke.  A light flavor of smoke up front followed by a nutty, malty, richness.  Tastes slightly astringent at this point which is to be expected at one week.  Hops bitterness is low at 25 IBU.  This will need some conditioning time in the bottle.
CHEERS!

Specialty Hard Cider update

Another week has passed and the yeast is still in suspension.  Gravity check was 1.004, which is where it has stabilized.  I think I'll wait one more week before bottling.  The sample looked almost clear with a very slight haze.  Flavor was good, red apple flavor up front with cinnamon and clove on the slightly tart finish. Tasty!
CHEERS!