Judge’s Review: 86 Rating – Excelsior Ground Control by Schilling Hard Cider

Cider with Other Fruit | Year-Round | USA

By Nelson Crowle

Judges Rating: 86
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 34
Mouthfeel: 7
Overall Impression: 18

Excelsior Ground Control by Schilling Hard Cider was evaluated as Style C2B, Cider with Other Fruit, per the BJCP 2015 Cider Style Guidelines. This cider is also non-alcoholic. 
The cider pours an almost clear light garnet amber with very little head (as expected) and leaves a small cordon ring of small white bubbles. The bouquet is a moderate level of red table apples and apple skins along with a light fruity sweet cherry character. The first sip brings out a nice table apple and apple skin character with just a hint of bittersharp apple, featuring very light tannins and a low Granny Smith-like malic acid tartness, along with a medium-low residual sweetness.
Mid-palate a moderate tart cherry note shows up as a complementary flavor to the apple, and they play well together. The cider finishes light, crisp and clean, leaving a slight lingering cherry note that is quite pleasant. This is a good sipper on a hot day and would pair nicely with dry rub baby back pork ribs and hot and fresh salty crinkle-cut fries.