Ramborn Farmhouse

Farmhouse is another cider from the Ramborn’s lineup that I’m trying out. It is a blend of three apple varieties Erbachhofer, Holzapfel (also known as the European crab apple), and Wiesenapfel, all indigenous to Luxembourg and surrounding areas, where the cidery is located and sources its apples.Company: Ramborn Cider Co.
Place of Origin: Born, Luxembourg
Apples: a blend of Erbachhofer, Holzapfel and Wiesenapfel
Sweetness as per label: dry
ABV: 6.5%
Package type: 330ml clear glass bottle with crown cap
Recommended type of glass: pint glass, white wine glass or snifter

Appearance: pours a clear pale amber with orange hues and a short-lived white head. Carbonation is artificial but long-lasting and low. Body is light.

Aroma/Nose: the nose exhibits fruity flavours of red crisp apples and apple juice, which then give way to more intense notes of caramel and wood.

Taste: my first sip is dry with a nice level of residual sweetness and moderate, refreshing lemon-like acidity. Crunchy red apple, yellow apple, pear, white wine and wood with a distant freshly milled wood come through on the palate. It finishes with a delicate lingering wood-like, but not spoiling, bitterness and astringency with a hint of honeydew melon.

Overall: the mix of flavours results in something that could be described as “mild diluted whisky sour meets crisp red apple”. Sounds weird, but tastes amazing.  I actually liked it more than their Original simply because the level of sweetness was more to my liking and tannins were more abundant. Farmhouse is an easy-drinking and delicious crisp cider to celebrate the end of your day, every day. When you can’t decide between cider and whisky, this is a perfect in-between. That said, it’s not a cider for everyone due to its distinctive taste. You either love it or hate it. But, if you love it, the Farmhouse lures you back for more. I think I’m lost. 5/6

Availability: locally everywhere in Luxembourg, e.g. in a supermarket Cactus in Remich. In Germany available through The Hop Shop Trier and online through Ciderei. In Italy from Sidro & Cider. In the Netherlands from CiderCider.

Price: Ramborn Cider Co was kind enough to send me a sample of this cider.