Our Pommeau
Vin de liqueur is a style of fortified dessert wine, in which juice and brandy are combined to increase the abv, halt fermentation, and produce a naturally sweet wine. In Normandy, a very similar product is made from apples called pommeau, meaning 'of apples.' It is a dessert wine made of apples, combining both juice and apple brandy. When I was researching vin de liqueur, and considering making my own pommeau, a very accomplished wine friend called it 'pomme de liqueur.' I loved the term so much, I started using it myself.
I am especially proud to say that we distilled the fortifying brandy ourselves. More than five years ago, I had the crazy idea to start a distillery. I wanted to extend our one-ingredient company (only apples) into another rabbit hole entirely. The cidery showed that apples could compete against wineries for menu spots at the best restaurants. Likewise, I want to prove that apples can compete in any beverage category. Apples are amazing, whether as a wine, or as a spirit. This pommeau is a bit of both, and I truly hope you enjoy it.
Daniel Haykin
June 2024
Haykin Pommeau Batches -
2023 Vintage
Traditional Apples in Missouri American Oak
Apples: Nehou, Muscadet de Bernay, Marie Ménard, Marechal, Calville Blanc d'Hiver, Vilberie, Bedan
Aged: 20 months
Tasting Notes: Coconut cream pie, orange blossom, caramel
ABV: 16%
Released: June 2024
Marechal Apples in French Oak
Apples: 75% Marechal, 20% Wickson, 5% Reine de Pommes grown at Idyll Acres, OR.
Aged: 18 months
Tasting Notes: Espresso, rich tannin, burnt caramel, leather, dried figs, roasted nuts. Deep, rich, savory.
ABV: 17%
Released: October 2024
Nehou Apples in American Oak
Apples: 75% Nehou and 25% Calville Blanc d’hiver grown at Ringsrud Orchard in Wenatchee, WA.
Aged: 18 months
Tasting Notes: Chamomile tea with honey, toasted marshmallow, green apple acidity, and baking spices. Soft, smooth, and bright.
ABV: 15%
Released: November 2024
Traditional Apples in French Oak
Apples: Kingston Black, Nehou, Marie Ménard, Sweet Coppin, Frequin Rogue, Wickson, and others
Aged: 20 months
Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, fruit leather, hazelnuts. Silky, rich, and fruit forward.
ABV: 16%
Released: October 2024
Bulmer's Norman Apples in Limousin Oak
Apples: 80% Bulmer's Norman apples and 20% Brown's apples grown at Idyll Acres and Ringsrud Orchard.
Aged: 15 months
Tasting Notes: Dried figs, dark caramel, baking spice.
ABV: 15%
Released: July 2025
What is pommeau?
Pommeau is a fortified dessert wine, similar to Port, made out of apples. It is traditional to Normandy, France.
What is Ice Cider?
Ice cider is the cider equivalent of ice wine: a fermented beverage made from the juice of frozen apples or frozen juice. Similar to ice wine, the use of frozen apples concentrates the natural sugars in the apples, resulting in a higher alcohol content than cider made by traditional methods.
Haykin Ice Cider Batches -
Gravenstein Ice Cider [12% ABV] – Apples: 100% Gravenstein apples from Harmony Orchards, aged in Acacia barrels. Tasting notes: apricot, lemon, pine needles, lemongrass, and a slight salinity. Released: February 2025. This cider is sweet. Apple Dessert Wine. 2023 Vintage
Ice cider is like ice wine but made from frozen apples — sweet, tart, and rich with concentrated apple flavor in every sip. The methode was invented in Quebec, Canada.
