Bean Blossom Strawberry Hard Cider

This week's cider was a gift from a friend, picked up on their vacation in Tennessee! Bean Blossom Hard Cider comes from Oliver winery in Indiana. It is 8% ABV, which is high for a cider. All of their ciders come in aluminum bottles or cans. Their full line of ciders can be shipped to most U.S States and can be found here: http://www.oliverwinery.com/ciderstore?orderby=PXPC.DisplayOrder%20Asc,%20P.ProductName%20ASC&startrow=1

Color:
We were both surprised that this cider boasts a very light golden color. No traces of red can be found. This cider is very clear and slightly carbonated. Hawke rates the color with a 5/5 apples. Bailey also gives it a 5/5 apples.

Smell:
Hawke commented that the odor of this cider is overwhelmingly strawberry. He could not detect any apple smell, but it was very pleasant. He rates it with a 4/5 apples. Bailey loves the smell of this cider. It is very sweet, most definitely all strawberry, and all together pleasing to the senses. She gives it a 5/5 apples.

Flavor / Complexity:
Bailey was a bit disappointed that this cider was very sour to her palate. Because the apple and strawberry flavors had mixed completely, it tasted more like an ambiguous berry. She was hoping that the two flavors would stand alone from each other. She rates the taste with a 3/5 apples. Hawke thought this cider was very bitter. He tasted mostly strawberry with a tiny bit of apple, but all together the taste was a bit off-putting. He also rates it with a 3/5 apples.

Aftertaste:
Bailey didn't get much of an aftertaste from this cider. There is some of the berry flavor that lingers, but only for a second. She gives it a 2/5 apples. Hawke did not get an aftertaste either, but the bitter flavor did remain on his tongue. He rates it with a 1/5 apples.

Price:
$7-9. Hawke thinks that this cider is of a low quality for the price. The smell is very promising, but the flavor does not deliver. He gives it a 2/5 apples. Bailey also feels that the quality of this cider is a bit low, although you do get a decent amount of cider per bottle. She gives it a 3/5 apples.

Overall:
Hawke does admit that the smell of this cider is tantalizing, but it was much too bitter for his tastes. If you do enjoy bitter or sour flavors, this cider is for you. Bailey felt that either they could have done a better job of balancing the flavors, or they just do not mix well together. She also wonders if this cider is allowed to age to maturity or if it is rushed by the presence of sulfates.
Overall Hawke gives this cider 15/25 apples or a yellow apple.

Bailey gives this cider 18/25 apples overall, or a yellow apple.