Cider & Perry

Our selection of the new and the notable from the best British drinks producers.
Visit Drinks of the Month for this month's Variety Show

Somerset Hamper

The ultimate present for the passionate apple lover has to be a Somerset Hamper from Julian Temperley at Somerset Distillery on Burrow Hill Farm.

With elegant sparkling cider, his ground-breaking complex brandies, the delightful Pomona – a blend of brandy and apple juice to sip á la sherry – plus many other goodies, including brandy orange mamalade and Hix Fix – a delectable little jar of cherries steeped in eaux de vie Julian makes for restaurateur Mark Hix.

Posted on 17 Dec 2011 in

John Thatcher's Vintage of 2010

With this cider, it's easy to see why Thatchers has such a good reputation. There's a really great level of carbonation which just lifts the flavours. 

Posted on 12 Nov 2011 in

Oliver's Classic Perry

Perry pears are very different to dessert pears, often being much rounder and smaller in shape. Some hail from ancient trees, such as this 150-year-old Barland perry tree, seen here in Tom Oliver's special orchard.

Posted on 12 Nov 2011 in

Somerset Cider Brandy

Made by the pioneering Julian Temperley of the Somerset Cider & Brandy Company, this cider brandy is the junior of the family (there's also a 10 year old, 15 year old and the recent addition of a 20 year old). It may only be five years old, but what it lacks in age, it more than makes up for in sheer vivacity.

42%, available from the Cider Shop, £19 and numerous other outlets

Posted on 03 Nov 2011 in

Chapel Pleck Sparkling Perry 2009

Chapel Pleck may be a new name for what was Ribston Lawn (seen here in the pictures), but it’s the same delectable bottle-fermented perry inside. Created by emerging cider and perry maestro Simon Day at Once Upon a Tree, the good news is that this year’s harvest isn’t going to run out quite so quickly.

RRP: £10/70cl, available from Once Upon a Tree cider house & online, & other specialist & local stockists

Posted on 20 Jul 2011 in

Gwatkin Yarlington Mill Cider

Rich both in colour and flavour, this cider is bursting full of sweet, caramelised Cox apples, balanced by a sherbet tang.

Smooth and uplifting.

7.5%/500ml/£36 for a case of 12. Available from Middle Farm Cider & Perry Collection, direct from Gwatkin Cider’s online shop as well as from selected local outlets

Posted on 14 Jun 2011 in

Cornish Orchards Organic Cider

A cider with dinstinct pinkish hue, this Cornish Organic has a yeasty, biscuity nose and slight flavours of bruised/brown apples.

It certainly feels like food matching potential has been considered during the making of this cider, thanks to its restrained fruit, high acidity and dry finish.

5%/50cl/RRP £2.30 or £24.84 for a box of 12.
Available from Middle Farm Cider & Perry Collection, direct from Cornish Orchards’ online shop as well as from selected outlets in Cornwall

Posted on 13 Jun 2011 in

Tutts Clump Traditional Farmhouse

Tutts Clump are fairly unusual in the way that they shun cider apples in favour of extolling the virtues of eating, cooking and crab apples for their products. The result, perhaps unsurprisingly, is something which doesn't immediately showcase any immediate cider traits.

6%/500ml/£42 for a case of 12. Available from Middle Farm Cider & Perry Collection, direct from the Buy Cider website and the Cider Club UK website, as well as from selected outlets in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey

Posted on 13 Jun 2011 in

Gwynt Y Ddraig Gold Medal Cider

This little bottle can claim to be the first ever Welsh cider producer to achieve a Gold medal from CAMRA in 2004. It might have been a while ago now, but it's still doing well.

A far bolder cider than its little brother Gwynt Y Ddraig Orchard Gold, reviewed here, it has a distinct Appletise nose, followed by some robust flavours and a full mouthfeel on the palate, ending in some stripy tannins on the tongue and a lengthy finish to boot.

7%/500ml/£30.00 for a case of 12. Available from Middle Farm Cider & Perry Collection, direct from Gwynt Y Ddraig’s online shop as well as from selected outlets in Wales

Posted on 13 Jun 2011 in

Gwynt Y Ddraig Orchard Gold

It's all about the zesty sparkle with this offering from Gwynt Y Ddraig (which translates from Welsh as 'the dragon's breath).

Sharp tangy bubbles hit the back of your throat, giving way to a crisp but fleeting aromatic apple aftertaste.

4.9%/500ml/£24.00 for a case of 12. Available from Middle Farm Cider & Perry Collection, direct from Gwynt Y Ddraig’s online shop as well as from selected outlets in Wales

Posted on 13 Jun 2011 in