Extreme Heights Cidery’s seventh winter warmer packs some heat

After featuring flavors such as apple, pumpkin and passion fruit in the past, Adirondack Winery’s sister brand turned up the heat for this year’s sipper, a Whiteface Mountain homage.

Jan 14, 2026

“Both maple and bourbon have warming flavors and aroma profiles, making this cider an obvious choice for winter,” says winemaker Courtney Rankin. “The juicy, fruit-forward notes from the cider balance out the sweetness from the maple syrup and the lingering heat from the bourbon, creating a warm yet still refreshing flavor.” (Photo provided by Extreme Heights Cidery)

The Winter Solstice is past, the holidays are over. And yet … winter is still with us?

Whether you embrace Upstate Winter delights or run howling toward the fireplace until March, you will want to get your cold little hands on a tasty new winter warmer from Extreme Heights Cidery, a sister brand of Adirondack Winery.

“We wanted to go beyond the traditional offerings and produce something for the winter season in general,” says head winemaker Courtney Rankin. “When I think of winter, I think of the cold. Incorporating maple was our initial thought, as winter is when maple trees start producing sap, and the caramel, vanilla flavors in syrup trigger thoughts of warmth and comfort. Bourbon came next as we thought of ways that both maple and bourbon could complement each other and contrast the cider.”

Whiteface is a balanced sipper that can be enjoyed during a cozy day at home or after a run down the wild mountain it was named for.

Whiteface Maple Bourbon — named after the Adirondack High Peak — was born from Rankin’s brainstorm. She was particularly excited, she says, to partner with local drinks makers and Adirondack enthusiasts to incapsulate the flavor and spirit of Upstate New York.

She used her assistant winemaker’s own maple syrup from maple trees at his house, and aged it in a Bourbon Barrel from High Peaks Distilling, which is right down the road from the cidery’s Lake George Tasting room.

In the glass, the Whiteface Maple Bourbon Cider has complex profile, with sweet, smoky and tangy notes — and its departure from past iterations that featured flavors such as apples, pumpkin and passion fruit adds to the excitement. It also pairs well with dishes likely to be found at any winter feast.

“The cider’s acidity and effervescence help cut through rich foods, while its warm flavors harmonize with similar ingredients,” Rankin says. “The sweetness of this cider would calm the heat on spicier dishes, while the maple syrup flavor makes it a perfect pairing for brunch. Pair it with your favorite dessert or sweet treat to elevate the sweetness, or sip it while enjoying a savory charcuterie board as a contrast for your palate.”

The Whiteface Maple Bourbon Cider can be found in both Adirondack Winery’s Lake George & Queensbury Tasting Rooms. To order online, visit adirondackwinery.com/extremeheightscider.

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