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have to buy a load of cider for relatives and Xmas as no one really drinks wine or beer for that matter in the family, last batches I bought from local markets when I was down in Cornwall which was all really good stuff, but can’t find where I bought it from now and well fancy getting them all something different if possible
i have previously ordered a case from the Bristol cider co, which was good and had a case of hawkstone which was ok-ish.
so there simply has to some cider fans here, any slightly different from the nor,, or special recommendations?
Sheppy’s is on special at Waitrose, nice cider.
I’ve been asked to enquire about Perry too
Anything from Westons or Rich's
Grey Heron for the win.
I've got very mainstream tastes so nothing particularly interesting but of the readily available ones you won't go too far wrong with Westons, Thatchers, Aspall, Sheppy's, Cornish Orchard or Henney's. Avoid any fruit flavour (apart from apple), you're getting into alcopop territory there, and don't buy anything with added sweeteners or sugar. It's usually just a cheapskate way to add more fermentables or mask poor blending of apple types. Some of the manufacturers I mention above have a few wrong 'uns in their stable, or have cheap sub-brands to hit a different part of the market.
My usual home tipple is Old Rosie, Westons do a couple of bag-in-box options which can be handy. Though I'd advise against consuming 10l of Vintage without assistance!
If you like still cider from a proper farm like me then try Hecks or Wilkins in Somerset, both have websites. It might come in plastic screen wash style bottles bit it's great stuff! I used to be a bottled cider drinker from the bige brands, but now much prefer the local farm stuff.
Galipette French cider in Sainsburys is lovely - it's like a liquid cider lolly
also available in rose
Weston's Old Rosie.
Aldi/Lidl do a Weston's, 750ml and 6%. You don't need many !
Gregg's Pitt is absolutely wonderful stuff if you can get hold of it
Weston’s Old Rosie.
Let the fighting commence 🤣
We actually have a flagon of it in the garage that Mrs dB has (thankfully) not opened yet, I'm not sure I'll live to tell the tale of she does 😯
Thatchers Katy is very nice, at 7.4% is a little stronger than most too.
https://www.thatcherscider.co.uk/product/thatchers-katy/
Probably of little use, I don’t drink cider but I can highly recommend cider brandy and in particular
https://www.somersetciderbrandy.com/shop-online/somerset-cider-brandy-5-year-old
ideal for Christmas. I keep my hip flask topped up with it and it’s ideal for winter funerals!
^ they also make some lovely ciders, including Champagne-like single varietals.
Seconding @mickeyfinn’s recommendation of Perry’s, and not just because I live opposite them.
I find Waitrose has the best supermarket selection. I like aspalls (watch out for the Premier cru, goes down like apple juice but is 7%) Cornish gold and the Waitrose own from Dutchy of Cornwall is tasty too. But like most things peoples choices will differ.
I been know to try a few ciders , local pub has Aspall and Stowford on tap plus Rattler in the summer.
I like Westons cloudy or Lidl vintage. Localish we have Clives fruit farm which does Worcestershire Wobble juice .
Tricky wizard https://trickycider.com/collections/shop-bottled/products/tricky-wizard
Whin Hill Dabinett. https://www.whinhillnorfolkcider.co.uk/product/dabinett-premium-cider/
Generally buy both in 10l boxes, and just keep in the garage
Gregg’s Pitt is absolutely wonderful stuff if you can get hold of it
I was going to suggest that very thing. They sell it in Valhalla's goat in Glasgow.
An excellent pear cider.
Dunkerton's Black Fox, best I've had
I hate the stuff but my sisters like it.
Bristol cider shop (as opposed to company) has a good range to buy from. A mixed case from them is likely to please most and have some slightly unusual stuff in it.
Aspalls seems to be a good general option.
For ready to get to stuff, Aspalls draught is really nice
Favorite is Hogan's medium, but they do ones for most tastes
https://www.hoganscider.co.uk/signature-blends
I live about 10 minutes from Hecks' their Kingston Black is a nice drop of hooch 👍and the smell when you walk in their yard and shop from all the barrels is lush 😎
Roger Wilkins as previously mentioned is well worth a visit especially his lounge bar 😁😁😁😁and anybody who says they like cider made with anything other than apples 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
A few summers ago I cycled over to Rogers about 10 miles to get a gallon riding back I had a brainwave that container was getting heavy so I stopped a few times and drunk some of it , clever see 👍
In bottles Henry Weston Vintage is ideal for relaxing to at about 8% 😁I find one bottle is enough, I find if I have a gallon container I drink it quicker in case it goes off 🤔
We also have Bere Cider Farm at Aller again about a 10 mile bike ride away 👍 Wonder why I like living here 😁
I've just finished off one of these. Was my fave after an extensive tasting session the other weekend
https://purbeckcidercompany.co.uk/shop/purbeck-pirate-3l-pouch/
Otherwise a Aspalls or Westons if I'm stuck with supermarket stuff. I do like a nice pint of Old Rosie.
Devon red from sandford orchards is the best. Drier than thatchers haze and sweeter than Westons organic. And it makes amazing mulled cider
Aspalls Imperial Cyder 8%.
Many years ago used to pass Thatchers cider farm at Banwell going to and returning from work.
The options were...sweet, medium or dry each available in either traditional or farmhouse; they all tasted the same and looked the same - very cloudy which never settled.
Bring your own container or we'll sell you a polypin.
I'm sure it's more refined now.
Bad headaches guaranteed.
As an aside, Thatchers are the largest processor of blackcurrants in the UK.
For an easy drinking, readily available cider that's not Strongbow, etc. then it has to be Aspall's draught (available in bottles) IMO.
Am also partial to Old Rosie but that's possibly less user friendly.
And as petec said above, Whin Hill does some proper nice stuff.
Dunkertons is a favorite here. Waitrose usually has it, I think I saw it in Sainsburys too recently
Wilkins
I've bought mixed cases from these guys as presents. I would highly recommend them.
As a slightly leftfield suggestion this stuff is pretty good.
Goes exceptionally well with cheese.
https://www.thistlycrosscider.co.uk/product/whisky-cask-bottle
For a more conventional cider taste we always used to ride to The Cider House in Quatt.
https://www.thespecialcidercompany.co.uk/shop/cider
Had some interesting rides back from there after five pints of Special.
Yes, Thistly cross by Glen Moray is tasty.
My go to is either that but usually The General by Sandford Orchards.
If wanting a Perry then Lilly's do a great bee sting.
Henry Weston Vintage is ideal for relaxing to at about 8%
2 bottles of this and it's party time. Cider daft I tell ee.
This thread is a great resource.
Ooh arrh, ooh arrh ay
Thanks all - wow there’s a lot of recommendations, plenty of online shopping this weekend
also discovered some figgy pudding ice cider as well that will be bought.
will update here once I’ve bought some from the list above and from a very quick Look, this could get quite expensive very quickly.
Memo to self...idiot, Thatchers are in Sandford not Banwell but in my defence I drove through both places going to and returning from work.
Gwatkin of Herefordshire do an interesting range.
You won't find any of theirs in supermarkets so try local ale stores or, alternatively, mail order direct from the farm.
I’ll chuck in another recommendation- Pilton cider - and their fantastic ranged of keeved ciders.
https://www.piltoncider.com/products