WoodChuck Hard Cider Pumpkin review

Cider Name: WoodChuck Hard Cider Pumpkin – Private Reserve
Brewer: WoodChuck
Brewery Location: Middlebury, VT

Bottle Details –
Size: 12 Oz – 355ml
ALC/VOL: 6.9%

Review.

WoodChucks Private Reserve – Pumpkin.
Typically I am not much of a fan of pumpkin, be it pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced latte’s, or pumpkin itself, I’ve never been one to go out and get something just because it says pumpkin on the label. BUT being as how it is the season for all things pumpkin, I’ve decided to take one for the team and kick this review off.

WoodChucks Pumpkin
Starting off smooth and not overpowering with its flavor I feel like this is more of a sit back and relax while sipping this slowly, sort of bottle. At no point in the last 20 minutes have I felt rushed or the need to down the hatch and move on, although looking at the clock I may need to decide to do that soon. This is such a smooth drink I can see it talking its way into my wife’s hands without much issue. Not too sweet and far from dry it brings a nice blend, a great brew if you just want to relax the day away in the comfort of your chair. With its big brand name you can be sure to find it at your local store, I picked this one up at my local ABC liquor, but have seen it at Target and Publix (remember im in Florida, sorry northerners you will never know the amazing taste of a Publix sub).

If Woodchuck was looking at making a nice calm brew for the season, they definitely hit the mark with this one. Like I said I am not a big fan of pumpkin and do not go out of my way to get pumpkin flavored foods or beverages, but with my love of hard cider I had to at least give it a try.
Will I go out and pick up a 6 pack? Highly unlikely, but that’s because for me there are many other ciders that I enjoy over this one (sorry Pumpkin…)
Will I recommend you go and check it out, absolutely. Even if you do not enjoy pumpkin flavor, you should enjoy the aroma and flow.

Expectations prior to drinking.
I was expecting an overpowering pumpkin flavor that would have me heading to the drain, what I found was a cider with a calm under-powering flavor with a smooth flow.
The flavor is definitely there, don’t get me wrong on that part, but its not in your face like you just stuck a stray into a pumpkin. Which is ok by me.

Final Thoughts. 

If I had to rate this, which I do, I would feel comfortable with giving Woodchuck a 3.5 out of 5.
Not quite up there for my love of Cigar Cities, Fight the power sour green apple, but far far from the worst cider I have had. And definitely a pleasant surprise on the pallet.   A nice, calm brew, the flavor was there but it was mellow and smooth.

– RB

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