Original Sin celebrates its 20th anniversary, with its first can release! This excites me because its not just a can release of a cider that already exists, but a can release of an Extra Dry cider! I want a cider that's extra dry and as accessible and portable as the can format offers. Plus, I tend to like Original Sin significantly more than most readily available ciders.
You can check out all of their releases on the website: http://www.origsin.com/
You can check out all of their releases on the website: http://www.origsin.com/
One of the most interesting things about Original Sin for me is that despite being internationally distributed and stared in a distinctly urban space, is that Original Sin has been developing an orchard in upstate New York for years. As the website describes it, "Original Sin started a New York State test orchard five years ago, which now features over 100 rare, cider and contemporary apple varieties. Each year, the company adds interesting and historically significant varieties."
My review of their Original: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/02/cider-review-original-sin-hard-ciders.html
Original Sin's official Description reads:
I've tasted several Original Sin ciders while writing this blog and reviewed three of them. Here are my previous entries on Original Sin Ciders, some of which include additional background on the company.
My review of their Original: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/02/cider-review-original-sin-hard-ciders.html
And the Elderberry: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/09/cider-review-original-sin-elderberry.html
Original Sin's official Description reads:
Original Sin Extra Dry Cider contains a distinct blend of New York apples including Ida Red, MacIntosh, Cortland, and several russeted apples. The cider is complex, balanced, and sessionable with a minimal level of residual sugar.
Appearance: barely green, total clarity, almost no visible bubbles
In terms of color this is nearly translucent, with just a hint of honeydew melon green. Great clarity. Very few visible bubbles.
Aromas: floral, tropical fruit, and surprisingly, salt
I love what a floral nose this cider has; it honestly smells like green and white flowers. This doesn't come out when drinking it from the can. I poured it into a small chalice glass and got much more aromatic action, as one might expect. I also smell a little tropical fruit—lychee and banana. Perhaps I'm crazy but amidst these more expected notes I also detected hints of salt and corn muffin.
Sweetness/dryness: Semi-dry
It doesn't feel totally dry; I'd put at the more austere end of a semi-dry. Great fruit character, more details below.
Flavors and drinking experience: prominent acidity, tropical fruit, great bubble
Tasting the extra dry is an experience as much about mouthfeel as flavor. This cider hits the palate with tons and tons of tart acid. I can taste low levels of tannins, but they are present. I love how it puckers along my jawline with curly-Qs of salivary response. Thinking as I'm tasting, the acid profile is increased by the strong carbonation. This cider makes sense in a can, and I like it! This is a truly easy drinking cider for when you want something on the drier tart side.
More specifically in terms of flavors, the tropical fruit notes dominate. Overall, the experience is a little austere and yet zesty. Very enjoyable, with just a little note of bitterness hiding in the fruit character. It finishes with a long flinty swoop.
Original Sin's "Devilishly delicious with Ripe Camembert, roasted oysters, and anything else you might enjoy on a back patio."
Aromas: floral, tropical fruit, and surprisingly, salt
I love what a floral nose this cider has; it honestly smells like green and white flowers. This doesn't come out when drinking it from the can. I poured it into a small chalice glass and got much more aromatic action, as one might expect. I also smell a little tropical fruit—lychee and banana. Perhaps I'm crazy but amidst these more expected notes I also detected hints of salt and corn muffin.
Sweetness/dryness: Semi-dry
It doesn't feel totally dry; I'd put at the more austere end of a semi-dry. Great fruit character, more details below.
Flavors and drinking experience: prominent acidity, tropical fruit, great bubble
Tasting the extra dry is an experience as much about mouthfeel as flavor. This cider hits the palate with tons and tons of tart acid. I can taste low levels of tannins, but they are present. I love how it puckers along my jawline with curly-Qs of salivary response. Thinking as I'm tasting, the acid profile is increased by the strong carbonation. This cider makes sense in a can, and I like it! This is a truly easy drinking cider for when you want something on the drier tart side.
More specifically in terms of flavors, the tropical fruit notes dominate. Overall, the experience is a little austere and yet zesty. Very enjoyable, with just a little note of bitterness hiding in the fruit character. It finishes with a long flinty swoop.
Original Sin's "Devilishly delicious with Ripe Camembert, roasted oysters, and anything else you might enjoy on a back patio."
My recommendations are a little different. I just came home from watching The Witch (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4263482/) at the theater. I really enjoyed sitting down with my husband and unpacking that folkloric explosion with an Extra Dry in my hand. Something about 1630s Puritans and an Original Sin cider just feels right. The film even mentions apples.
If that's not your flavor of old school horror, you could enjoy your Extra Dry at home while watching the Christopher Lee Hammer Studios gem The Devil Rides Out (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062885/?ref_=nv_sr_1) from 1968. Its a feast of dapper archness dealing with the supernatural.
Mind you, this cider doesn't have to go with anything macabre. I'll likely be buying it all summer when I want cider in a can-friendly setting. Its a lovely beverage and I quite enjoyed it! Keep it up, guys! And keep using that gorgeous cheeky art that I love so much.
Mind you, this cider doesn't have to go with anything macabre. I'll likely be buying it all summer when I want cider in a can-friendly setting. Its a lovely beverage and I quite enjoyed it! Keep it up, guys! And keep using that gorgeous cheeky art that I love so much.
