Batch #3 New England Cyser

7/20/11:
This was more of an experimental batch more than anything.  A way for me to get familiar with spice additives at around the +5 min boil mark in preparation for my It's a Great Pumpkin Stout Charlie Brown.

Recipe
2x1 Gallon of Harris Teeter apple cider
1.5 cup honey
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped golden raisins

5 minutes before end of boil:
(though, not really boiling, just hot enough to blend sugar additives such as brown sugar and honey, but not enough to produce that "burnt" apple off taste.)
spices:

• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp all spice

1 tsp vanilla extract

One thing to note: I used 1tsp per gallon of yeast nutrients for the first time.  It will be interesting to see how this affects the fermentation.

Pitched yeast around 9:30pm on 7/20/11.

• Potential ABV 10.1%

Used a dry pack of wine yeast that has to be over a year or two old. I'm hoping this doesn't prove detrimental to the batch. It's also partially the reason I used the yeast nutrient.
Used balloon with pinhole method for airlock. I plan on racking around week 2 for clarity and flavor. I want to age this well into the Autumn season.

Woke up at 6:50 am 7/21/11 to a mild fermentation with a "cap" forming around the top. Raisins were present at both the top and bottom with some actively rising and sinking. I shook it again for good measure to expose the yeast.

8/10/11:
I figured now was as good a time as any to get these guys bottled.  I enjoyed a sip or two during to gauge its flavor. I must say, I am impressed. I feel like I say this every time but this is my best cider (cyser) yet!  It completely lacks any of the off flavors from batches before.  The cinnamon and other spices definitely come through.  I'm sure the grapes helped add a bit of body.  I'm going to exercise extreme restraint and condition these for the month of October where hopefully they will be at their peak.

Great new filter I built. Cheap funnel from Auto Zone (< 2 dollars) a 5 dollar filter from Cake and Wine Hobby Shop and a few dabs of hot glue at 4 points inside the cone for filter stability.

Final haul. There is a bigger bottle off picture with additional cyser inside.  Doesn't seem like much but then again, this was an experimental batch.  Also note the saved sani fluid in the jugs.  Hopefully this will help save money.