Judge’s Review: 90 Rating – Mulled Cider by Kelterei Possman

Cider with Herbs/Spices | Year-Round | Germany

By David Sapsis

Judges Rating: 90
Aroma: 20
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 18

Mulled Cider by Kelterei Possman is being judged as a specialty cider, style C2B, per the BJCP 2015 cider guidelines.
The cider pours a medium-gold color with notable haze. Only a very tiny bit of effervescence is evident. The aroma starts with red and green apple notes below a nice, yet fairly assertive, cinnamon/clove spice, with light but clear sweetness. While I do catch a glimpse of tart acidity, I note no lemon citrus aroma.
The flavor starts light with fresh red table apple notes but quickly gets knocked back by the mulling spices blending with a medium to medium-dry level of sweetness in the mid-palate, rounded out by just a touch of tannic bite. The finish is off-dry with lingering mulled spice and what seems to be a note of ginger, though it is not listed as an ingredient. The alcohol level seems low, and the body is relatively thin. Only the faintest trace of carbonic gas is here, effectively rendering the cider as still.
As a spiced cider this is a pleasant and straightforward example, with mostly sweet table apple flavors mixing with the sweet cinnamon and peppery spicy clove. The aftertaste lingers with acid, sweetness and spice for a good long time. After finishing the review and examining the package, I noted it is also labeled “Heisser,” as in the German word for “hotter” so I tried a sample after some gentle warming. It was a very pleasant tipple served this way, where the fruit and spice formed a better meld than when served cold. Quite enjoyable as the Fall days turn toward winter and the nights get cold.  
Further research indicated another extension of this “hot” model: with a shot of dark rum. Unsurprisingly, that version is even better at warming the body and spirit!