Farmhouse Vintage Scrumpy

Needed something fresh to wash away the onslaught of the Samuel Smith's, so I chose: GWYNT Y DDRAIG Farmhouse Vintage Scrumpy Cider (5.2%, 500ml). I'm not sure the term "farmhouse" or "Scrumpy" really mean anything [I understand what they're SUPPOSED to mean], they seem to be used rather indiscriminately in the industry. At least there's no added sugar here, and it appears to be made from 100% fresh apple juice, with no additives other than sulphite. The kinds of apples used are not identified. The colour is deep clear amber (or, orange), and in sharp contrast to the Samuel Smith's the aroma is more subdued: slightly tart apples, straw, bit of beeswax, and natural cork. But it's all low-key. Medium body and carbonation. First sip reveals a medium dry flavour of musty apples, apple skins, stronger tannins, mild wood. Finishes dry and tannic, and there's considerable bitterness in the aftertaste along with apple skins, and mild apple-y sweetness. This *is* a refreshing (but not bland) cider which comes almost as a relief after the almost overbearing intensity of the Samuel Smith's. Clean taste, agreeable intermittent bitterness, and it doesn't dry out the palate. Good stuff. 8/10

Yellow/orange, with an apple candy and sweet funk aroma. Tangy apple, becoming candyish in the aftertaste. Tastes more like a mass-produced cider. Drinkable, but disappointing.

A rich and golden coloured cider with a crisp medium taste. Not sure it should be called 'Scrumpy' as it was a bit too sweet and thin bodied for my taste. nevertheless, it was pleasant enough, and at only 5.3% a perfect session drink on a hot summers day.

Far too refined and sweet to be a scrumpy but drinkable none the less. Not much of an aroma but at 5.3% easily quaffable.

Bag in the box variant. Well rounded but a little weak in flavour. Great session strength. Recommended if you want something safe and simple to start your night.

Golden with light apple aroma. Not what I would call scrumpy!