Decanting Digest: Exploring off-dry to extra dry from Duntroon Cyder House

It’s rare that we get access to nearly the full line from a cider house within a relatively short period. This time around, we had some help: four of these ciders were shipped out to subscribers of Savvy Company’s In-cider Picks Club in March, and the other two are readily available at the LCBO. 

The reviews you see below therefore cover close to the entire line of hard ciders available from Duntroon Cyder House. Located just south of Collingwood, Duntroon bills itself as a farm first and uses sustainable and organic farming practices in its orchards. The ciders are crafted at the farm in the English style with their own heritage apples using no added sugars or preservatives. 

Some of these ciders are available at the LCBO as noted. All but one of the rest can be ordered directly from Duntroon online in six-packs. You can find all six of them plus a couple more small-batch varieties by paying them a visit. (Want to make a road trip out of it? Check out this Collingwood road trip from RoadTripper.ca.

Whichever cider you choose, the aromas leap from can and the pure apple flavours shine through on each one. Here, they’re presented in order from the sweetest (off-dry) to the driest (extra dry).

Standing Rock Premium Off-Dry Cider
$3.65 per 473 mL can at the LCBO
$22.40 for six cans at duntrooncyderhouse.com

This could be considered Duntroon’s flagship cider of sorts. It presents with a golden yellow colour and a fresh apple aroma. There’s a slight sweetness on the palate, but it’s not a straight sugar. Instead, it’s more complex and has a caramel character. An exceptional depth of flavour for a straight apple cider. Score: 9/10.

Raindance Rhubarb Infused Cider
$3.85 per 473 mL can at the LCBO
$23.60 for six cans at duntrooncyderhouse.com

Cloudy and off-dry, this rhubarb infused cider is considered a sibling to Standing Rock. It may also be Ontario’s only rhubarb-infused cider. Blush pink in colour, it boasts wonderfully intermingling flavours of tart rhubarb and sweet apple. You need to love rhubarb, of course, but if you do then this cider is a standout. I come back to this one over and over again. Score: 9/10.

Blackberry Crush Cider
$23.60 for six 473 mL cans at duntrooncyderhouse.com
Coming soon to the LCBO

I sampled this cider while it was still experimental, so it may have been slightly adjusted before going into production. It has a powerful bouquet that’s slightly sweet. I guessed at strawberry and blueberry before I knew which berries go into it, so the aromas are deceivingly complex. The palate leans more toward the dry end of the spectrum, and the blackberry becomes much more evident in the flavour. My impression was the flavour was less complex than the aroma. However, that may not be the case in this final product. Score: 7.5/10.

Citra Hopped Cider
$4.25 per 330 mL bottle
Available only at the cider house

For those who love bitter citrus flavours, this cider is a revelation. It’s not at all shy on the hops, which bring a sharp lemony tang to the aroma. This follows through onto the palate with significant bite that nudges this cider’s flavour profile firmly into beer territory. It’s great for people who love beer but can’t drink it, or who enjoy a strong citrus and apple combination. Score: 8.5/10.

Net Zero Dry Organic Cider
$27.50 for six 473 mL cans at duntrooncyderhouse.com
Available only from the cider house

Zero in the name of this cider, but it’s also all over the can. This cider has zero GMOs, sugar, sulphites, additives, or gluten. It represents Duntroon’s journey to becoming a carbon-neutral and sustainable cider house. The crisp and true apple aroma gives way to an equally pure and dry apple flavour. It’s a little more expensive than Duntroon’s other ciders, but sustainability usually is and it’s nice to have the option. Score: 8/10.

Empire Extra Dry Cider
$3.95 per 473 mL can at the LCBO (quantities extremely limited)
$24.20 for six cans at duntrooncyderhouse.com

This cider is as advertised: extremely dry with zero sugar. There’s a surprising lime character to the aroma that follows through onto the bone-dry palate. This has an unusual depth of flavour for an extra-dry cider and is currently our number one pick among ciders in the extra-dry style. Score: 8.5/10.