tap at JK O’Donnell’s - This cider has a ripe apple aroma and tastes tart, lightly sweet, and finishes on the dry side. It’s light bodied with light carbonation. Very good cider. The sugars are at a very nice level, lending some sweetness but not too much. I couldn’t tell it was bourbon barrel aged. Seeing that here on the site was the first I knew, so don’t expect a lot of bourbon taste.

Bottle. Pale and clear straw hued body with a white head that fizzes away quickly. No legs. Aromas are of floral notes, milder light colored molasses, oak, juicy apples, isoamyl acetate, vanillin, caramelized fruits, medium apple. Flavors are medium acidic, low tannic, some isoamyl acetate, oak, bourbon vanillin. Everything leads to a slightly appley (over ripe) bananas foster type flavor. Finishes dry with a light sulfury apple, perceived richness mid palate. Tasty. Lively carbonation, medium low body, good acidity balance.

Sample at Hopleaf. Pours a clear yellow-gold color with a thin fizzy white head that burns away quickly to an outer ring. Short strings of lacing on the glass. Fruit, spices and vanilla in the nose. Medium-bodied with flavors of tart spiced apples, vanilla and oak. The finish is mildly sour apples with an oaky vanilla aftertaste. Pretty good overall.

Sampled at the 2013 Chicago Cider Summit. Pours a dehydrated pee like color with no head whatsoever. Aroma is a bit boozy with some sweet apples and a bit of earthiness. Flavor is more balanced with sweet apple that is slightly dry and has a nice bit of booze in the finish.