I have done hard cider the past three years and unless you stop the yeast it ferments out as dry as champagne with little to no apple flavor. I've used Nottingham and Wyeast 1056 with the same results. Most commercial hard ciders are back sweetened.
Bourbon and whiskey differ quite a bit and doesn't really have to do with a specific region. Two big differences are that bourbon must have a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn and it must be aged in new oak charred barrels. Whiskey can be aged in barrels that have been previously used...