**Soul Warming Cider (VSO) 14% (12-12-21)** -- Every once in a while, just ONCE in a while, a flavor turns out to be EXACTLY what the MFG claims. This one was billed as ....



*This is based off an age old recipe of wassail punch. It is a hearty and crisp cider base, mulled with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and star anise. A splash of zesty orange is added to accentuate the crisp clean taste of the apple. The warmth comes from a small splash of brandy to shake off the brisk autumn chill!*

.... and that is EXACTLY what I got, to the T. Now not being overly familiar with [Wassail Punch](https://www.cookingclassy.com/wassail/), I researched it, and indeed, it is/was much much more, than just an apple cider. Now compared to VSO's Apple Cider, this one was much richer, involved, and deliciously complicated. Overall, the apple profile(s) were somewhat reduced, BUT, only because they were sharing the stage with a delicious orange, and a handful of spices. Now, the spices were not face slamming in any way, and were perfectly paired with the apple and oranges. With the orange added in, it had an interesting rich-ening" effect, and really fattened out the entire profile, giving it much more weight. Not that VSO's regular Apple Cider was inferior, because it wasn't, but I think I preferred this one, over it. Just a perfect Holiday experience to be had. Felt super fine @ 14%, nothing off-putting, and the spice level was JUST high enough, but not overbearing in the mix. All in, this one was really good, and I could find no faults with it. It was an interestingly different take on a "cider" for me, and was craftily done at that. Easily **9.9/10**.