Lately I’ve been hearing a new portmanteau: Augtober. Now that it’s August, folks are using this created word to give autumn-loving folks permission to start the celebrations early. I’m not at all sure how I feel about this. I mean, of course, make your sweater-weather self happy, so long as you aren’t hurting anyone with your pumpkin spice. It’s even cute. I love Fall too. I’m just not ready yet.
Instead Autumn feels like a vast thunderhead approaching overhead. It’s huge, but it’s fast. Before we know it, we’ll be experiencing its deluge. Perhaps my new job that goes more by the collegiate academic calendar more than many previous roles, has me feeling a bit dramatic about “Back-to-School Season.” Time moves so fast!
Speaking of time, I can scarcely believe it’s been five years since I reviewed anything by Sea Cider. That’s purely a fact that reflects how hard that cider is to obtain around here. Sea Ciders come to us from Vancouver Island specifically from a legendary orchard on the Saanich Peninsula near Victoria.
Here are the two earlier appearances of Sea Ciders on Along Came a Cider.
Ruby Rose: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/04/cider-review-sea-ciders-ruby-rose-and.html
Pippins: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/12/cider-review-sea-cider-farm-and.html
I recommend visiting the Sea Cider website where you can read more about currently available ciders and tasting room happenings: http://seacider.ca.
For a little context, I enjoyed this cider with the Tall One and his oldest sister on a warm summer evening while trying to make a bizarre inflatable couch work. Do not ask about the couch. We were back into town on our way home at the end of our vacation. What a wonderful way to spend the last bright hours of vacation!
Here’s the official description from Sea Cider for the Platinum Anniversary Blend.
Platinum Heirloom Series
Pop the bottle – It’s time to celebrate! Whether to toast a triumph, mark a milestone, or simply savour a moment, Platinum cider is the perfect accompaniment. Our heirloom apples shine in Platinum, which delights the palate with gentle effervescence and notes of fresh apple and cut grass. First released in 2024, this scintillating, semi-dry cider marks Sea Cider’s 20 year “platinum” anniversary since setting sail from our Mt. St. Michael Orchard on Vancouver Island. We raise a glass to this milestone and the voyage ahead!
6.9% alc./vol.
Appearance: brilliant, rich goldenrod, few visible bubbles
This cider is lovely to see. I love the intense Goldenrod hue. I don’t see a lot of bubble action, and with a cider this bright and brilliant, they cannot hide easily. We’ll see what the sparkle level is like.
Aromas: White pepper, malic acid, ripe apples, clean yogurt, stone
There’s lots of scent in the Platinum, white pepper and malic acid tickle, fermented, yogurt, ripe apples, and stone. It’s mouthwatering.
Sweetness/dryness: Semi-dry
This semi-dry cider has enough fruity sweetness to be wildly appealing to the majority of cider drinkers, whether they usually veer more towards dry or sweet. The sugars that are present taste natural and integrated into the larger taste experience.
Flavors and drinking experience: fine bubbles, mild tannins, high acid, fruit forward
Though I didn’t see them, the Platinum keeps the texture fun and exciting with lots of small bubbles. That’s the first impression and the second is that this cider manages to be acid focused, juicy, and fruit forward without being too simple. There’s just a hint of sherry-like oxidation and some mild tannins to add to the cider’s maturity and complexity. What i’m loving most though is how the high acid sounds across multiple pleasant registers—bright and round. It’s finish is long and lovely like the light on a Summer evening.
