Overall Impression
Combining the apple character and acidity of a Common Cider with the tannin of an English or French Cider, while retaining a clean fermentation profile.
Aroma / Flavor
The intensity of apple character, esters, and sweetness typically varies with the sweetness level. Heirloom variety cider apples may bring their own unique, often rustic, qualities. Acidity can be moderate to high. Tannins can be medium-low to medium-high. Tannins may add to the impression of dryness in the finish, while contributing flavors that are reminiscent of wood, leather, or apple skins. Acidity and tannin together balance the sweetness and provide structure to the cider; they are both typically present, and do not have to be at equal levels. Has a clean fermentation profile without MLF-derived phenol or barnyard character. Mousiness is a serious fault. Light yeast character acceptable.
Appearance
Slightly cloudy to brilliant. Color ranges from straw to deep gold. Red-fleshed apple varieties can produce ciders with a blush hue.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full body, depending on tannin level. Any astringency and bitterness from tannin should be no more than moderate. Any level of carbonation.
Comments
Probably most similar to English Cider, but without any MLF phenols or barnyard character, and having a higher acid balance. Sometimes called Heritage Cider or Traditional Cider. The name heirloom implies the use of older, not-widely-grown cider apple varieties, not that there is some added prestige, especially relative to Common Cider.
Characteristic Ingredients
Multi-use varieties from Common Cider and many of the same bittersweet and bittersharp varieties used in English or French Ciders, or other heirloom or cider varieties, crabapples, hybrids, tannic wildings
Entry Instructions
Entrants MUST specify both carbonation and sweetness levels. Entrants MAY specify varieties of apples used; if specified, a varietal character will be expected.
Vital Statistics
- OG
- 1.050 - 1.080
- FG
- 0.995 - 1.020
- ABV
- 6% - 9%
Commercial Examples
- Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold
- Farnum Hill Extra-Dry
- Redbyrd Orchard Cloudsplitter
- Sea Cider Flagship
- Snowdrift Cliffbreaks Blend
- Tandem Ciders Crabster
- West County Cider Redfield