Adam's Apples

What do you get if you cross a McIntosh with a Golden Delicious?  ¶  There are many examples of that. Today we are comparing two apples: Spencer (L) and Brock.  ¶  Both are " Mcintosh x Golden Delicious ": grown from the seed of a Mac pollinated by Golden D.

These globular apples run to medium-large with a red blush, patchy in places, covering green. There is a little ribbing, and my sample has a few bruises and a spot of the eminently ignorable flyspeck. The flesh is a creamy white with yellow-green highlights, and at this point in the season (note: mid-November) is tender-crisp and juicy. No acidity to speak of. The flavors are balanced with sweetness predominating, and there are hints of berries and a whiff of spices in the general cidery taste, a distinctive touch.