Since 1852, the Hazlitt family has been farming fruit trees and vineyards in Hector, New York. A quick 133 years later, the sixth generation started Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards and then Hazlitt’s Cider Tree in 2014. The Finger Lakes orchard and cidery is focused on hyperlocal (even the bottles come from a maker within 100 miles) and seasonal offerings, like an elderflower-infused cider for spring and a cinnamon-spice variation for this time of year.
The flagship and namesake, Hazlitt’s Cider Tree is bold, bouncy and very bubbly. Golden ripe apple aromas are fringed with a little bit of butterscotch and pineapple rinds. The palate is equally yellow and ripe, round and robust in juicy apple flavor — with something almost nutty in the back — finishing with sharp acid on the edges. Zippy and easy fruit make this cider a cinch to take down all six bottles in the pack.
