Mangrove Jacks M02 Cider Yeast smells odd.

[steviebobs83]

I'm doing my first ever 23 litre batch of turbo cider as I've always just done 1 gal batches in the past, using leftover ale yeast or Lalvin EC-1118.

The recipe is basic...

21 litres of Lidl Naturis 100% Apple Juice
2 litres of homemade rhubarb cordial
100g freeze dried blackberries
Some nutrient and pectolase
It's O.G 1.062

I've read a lot of good things about Mangrove Jacks cider yeast but when I've gone to rehydrate it, it's got a very savoury tinge to its smell and it's sunk to the bottom if the water instead of hanging about on the surface like all my ale yeasts usually do. Is this normal? Has anyone used it before that can advise? I'm used to a more erm... bready yeasty smell and I'm worried I'm about to ruin a big old batch of cider at the first hurdle.

[WalesAles]

stevie,
Check the cordial has no sulphates or sulphites in it otherwise your tc will be ruined.

WA

[steviebobs83]

I made it myself WA, just rhubarb, sugar and a bit of lemon juice.

I've lobbed the yeast in anyway. It's well in date (Nov 2020). I'm hoping it's just got a bit more nutrient in the packaging, since it's meant for juice, not wort. Maybe that's contributing to the aroma. I'll find out soon I s'pose.

[steviebobs83]

Update: it's fermenting away nicely, possibly going to blow the lid off my bucket. All the worrying for nothing so far. I'll update on the taste in a month or so.