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Knock knock!
It’s here!
My Cider subscription box from Crafty Nectar has arrived.
Inside we have three Ciders to drink.
First pick was a tough choice but I settled for Kicking Goat’s Medium Dry Craft Cider. I like a medium dry, so I figured i’d start with a potentially strong one. This Cider sits at a nice 4.8% abv.
Kicking Goat Medium Dry is a delightful deep gold.
Holding the bottle up behind the half filled glass and you can clearly read the label through the aurous depths.
I’m finding it very difficult not to go to my default description of first pee of the day.
Looking closely, tiny bubbles float and cling to the rim of the Cider giving us an insight into the refreshing, lightly sparkling beverage ahead.
What’s nice about this Cider, is that the colour is acheived completely naturally. Kicking Goat Medium Dry has no added colours or flavours.
The smell of this Cider was an adventure.
My first whiff took me by surprise when I smelt farmhouse, or what others would describe as barnyard. I know this sounds bad, but it’s not. I love the complexity barnyard Ciders can offer.
Quick history lesson, I grew up around horses. I had lessons from a reasonably young age, even attempted to get a Scouting badge for it – I didn’t get it.
I stopped at canter because I was coming of age and MY GOD horse saddles are not kind to goose eggs – I digress.
Ocassionally I’d be asked to collect a horse rug and I would unwillingly do so.
This Cider reminds me of those rugs but I can tell you, it’s a lot less heavy, more pleasant in the nose and tastes better…
Taking longer and deeper drags enlightens me to the tang of the Cider. Doing this opens up the apple side of things. The smell now resembles a storage barn for straw and apples – that classic combination?
There is the ever so slight acidic smell of vinegar, but it’s not overwhelming and not a sign of this being a bad Cider. If anything it adds to the complexity. Either that or I whiffed it for too long.
After really enjoying the smell, I was eager to find out if the taste was just as titillating.
The Medium Dry is on the sharper side but it’s not off putting. This comes from the farmhouse parts of the Cider.
What I love is how Kicking Goat have created a Cider that makes a farmhouse variety accessible and delicate.
Often these Ciders are an aquired taste and I’m one of those that loves them. This is well crafted to not intimidate those with a sweeter palate.
If you’re new to medium dry ciders, this is definitely one to start with. It’s not terribly complex, but it does have some really nice levels to it.
There is a beautiful balance between the light sweetness and the shy sharpness. To finish this medium dry doesn’t make you clap your tongue.
Lets wrap things up. One of Kicking Goat’s slogans is “Cider to bleat about” and its true. I want to obnoxiously throw this Cider, non-violently, in everyone’s faces.
This was an awesome Cider to experience. It offers a subtle complexity that’s not too intimating for a beginner palate.
You get a gentle balance between sweet and barnyard flavours accompanied with a smooth, refreshing fizz.
Dont bleat around the bush, give Kicking Goat’s Medium Dry Cider a go!
Eyes
Nose
Mouth
13/15
