First Press Vintage 2019

A great 2019 vintage that’s aged well (drinking in Jan 2023). On the nose it’s very soft and deep, caramel, hints of brown sugar, raisins, fresh fruit, all sorts! It almost smells like a very faint whiskey. It’s a Dabinet apple variety so you will either like it or you won’t. This one is bitter at first, then some sweet sourness arrives pretty soon after and you’re left with a velvety soft fruit encapsulation that lingers on the palate and in the mouth. At 6%ABV, it’s a decent strength that’s enjoyable and drinkable. I had mine with some vintage cheddar. It’s bronze in colour and very light on fizz. For a vintage, it’s not the strongest I’ve had - but that’s refreshing since this cider is made with original methods from 1911 - and normally with a pitch like that you’re sometimes into the 7%+ zone. Its taste is sharp and sweet with a hint of dryness which rapidly fades - a taste that soon turns very soft and mellow after a hard, sharp bite at the start. I’m keen to try the other ciders on offer from the Taunton Cider Company as I did enjoy this cider, but I would elbow anyone out of the way to get to it. It’s decent enough but could split opinions I think and it tastes much stronger than 6%. Honestly if I was guessing I’d have said 8%ABV.

Amber coloured, moderate light fizz and clear. Made from Dabinett, Yarlington Mill and Harry Masters Jersey and is nicely balanced. Fresh but earthy aroma. Leather and caramel in the taste with eartiness and tannins.

This 2019 vintage leaves me very indecisive. It's bitter at first, even slightly harsh and a little funky with flavours of feint whiskey. However, it seems to mellow out with the flavours lingering on the palate with a smooth finish. Not one I'd personally mad about but I'm sure it has its fans out there.

Not my style, bitter