Q: Adding spirit flavourings to cider - is it possible?

[Trojanskin]

Hi All,

I've only just started home brewing cider and have two basic batches fermenting just now. 1 Turbo cider and 1 cider from a kit and both seem to be coming along nicely. I'm keen to start experimenting with future cider projects and I was just curious to know if it's possible to make a 'cask flavoured brew' along the same lines as thistly cross's whisky cask cider.

My local Home brew store stocks sachets of spirit essence for distilling spirits, would these work in a home brew cider?

was curious for any input on this.

http://www.thistlycrosscider.co.uk/all- ... -9-whisky/

http://www.brewstore.co.uk/classic-sing ... 2992-p.asp

[WalesAles]

Hi All,

I've only just started home brewing cider and have two basic batches fermenting just now. 1 Turbo cider and 1 cider from a kit and both seem to be coming along nicely. I'm keen to start experimenting with future cider projects and I was just curious to know if it's possible to make a 'cask flavoured brew' along the same lines as thistly cross's whisky cask cider.

My local Home brew store stocks sachets of spirit essence for distilling spirits, would these work in a home brew cider?

was curious for any input on this.

http://www.thistlycrosscider.co.uk/all- ... -9-whisky/

http://www.brewstore.co.uk/classic-sing ... 2992-p.asp

Hello Trojan,
Never used Essences in mine so I can`t help you there.
Have you read the Post `Cider` by Francois in the `Other Brews` Thread? The second post on there by `Oldbloke` is a MUST for all TC brewers! Well worth a read!
WA

[Trojanskin]

Hi WalesAles

Thanks for your reply,

Yup I've already checked out Oldblokes guide, I found it whilst trying to get info to help my first attempt of home brew cider (Finlandia Pear/Cider kit) as it was fermenting really slowly due to temp fluctuations. I think Oldblokes guide and the tips I picked up from it is the reason my 2nd attempt (TC from asda smartprice AJ) is going so smoothly

As regards to my idea about making a 'whisky cask cider' I did find a comment while looking on google that suggests that the extracts work relatively well when added in the secondary. I just need to find out now how much to use for a hint of whisky flavour rather than overpowering the flavour of the cider.

[danbrew]

You would also need to be mindful of the sugar or sweeteners them so your best option could gradually adding and tasting as you go along... Would be interested to know how you get on though... On second thoughts maybe there isn't any sugar in whisky essence anyway! Doh!

[Trojanskin]

I'm visiting my local Homebrew supplier on Sat so i'll have a chat with him and check out the ingredients as I'm not sure whether the essence packs have sugar/sweeteners in them or not.

If they do end up being okay to add then i'll probably start brewing a fresh batch of TC next week and add the essence into secondary once It's finished fermenting. Might take a bit of trial and error to find the best ammount to add though.

Will post an update further down the line about how it turns out.