From our sister publication and cider expert, this story originally ran on CIDERCRAFTmag.com.
Beverage-making 101: balance is key. For cider, the apples required to produce a quality bevvie must have the appropriate balance of tannins, acidity and (most importantly) flavor. However, this combination can be rather difficult to find in one single apple. As a result, the majority of cider makers utilize a blend of three different apples that represent each of these notes.
But there are examples of single varietal apples that succeed where others might fail, and accomplish all three of the requirements at the same time. Single varietal hard ciders are still a rarity, and usually are specialty runs with limited productions. However, they are worth seeking out as they represent a unique expression of a specific apple varietal, and the terroir where they are grown. Selecting the Newtown Pippin apple as this focus, known for being one of the prime apples of our nations forefathers, we present our top picks for this single varietal cider.
Blue Mountain Cider Company—Estate Newtown Pippin, Milton-Freewater, OR || 6.5% ABV
Hint of tartness balanced by fresh apple aromas, with just a touch of sweetness. Descriptors of Blue Mountain’s Estate Newtown Pippin can hardly express the subtle and intricate quality of this cider. Sourced from a 1,300 acre estate apple orchard out of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, the Estate Newtown Pippin is a prime representation of how location and farming techniques can affect flavor. Blue Mountain has been crafting award-winning ciders since 2003, following more than 40 years of family apple growing and has developed into one of the industries leaders. What once started as a hobby in the family garage has since grown to a company producing over 300,000 gallons of cider. || drinkcider.com
Sea Cider—Pippins, Saanichton, BC || 9.5% ABV
The Canadian folks on this multi-generational, cider apple orchard farm produce a “sharp” cider in style courtesy of the yellow Newtown Pippin. Fermented cold with Champagne yeast, this cider is off-dry and heavily spiked, an ode to the New England-style of “strong and robust” ciders—much like the pioneering spirits of North America that founded the drink. A silver metal winner from the 2014 GLINTCAP awards and gold at the 2014 Pacific Northwest Cider Awards, this recommended to pair against similar bold flavors like Indian cuisine or BBQ. || seacider.ca
Reverend Nat’s—Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Raspberry Newtown Pippin, Portland || 6.9% ABV
Inspiration came to Nat West when he was given the gift of two freshly used bourbon barrels by Portland, Oregon’s East Side Distilling. How best to utilize this opportunity? By aging the already award-winning Raspberry Newtown Pippin in those bourbon barrels for nine months. The resulting cider differs from many you may have experienced by shining notes of vanilla, toasted oak and coconut that only a bourbon oak barrel can emit. Juices of the Newtown Pippin offer the crisp pineapple and apple tartness, while the raspberries bridge the gap with their subtle berry sweetness. || reverendnatshardcider.com
Dragon’s Head Cider—Pippin Cider, Vashon Island, WA || 6.8% ABV
Should you ever decide to take a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle, the ferry ride over to Vashon Island and a stop at Dragon’s Head Cider is a sure fire cure. Dragon’s Head Pippin represents the terroir of where it is grown, covering 1,500 cider apple tree orchard on Vashon Island. Perfectly balanced, and brimming with flavor, bottles of the Pippin can be found throughout Washington and Oregon at numerous quality cider outlets. || dragonsheadcider.com
