Foxwhelp Cider

Some years ago Norwich's premier cider pub the White Lion had it on. The blackboard marks ciders with a D, MD, M, etc., but this one had its own indicator, a skull & crossbones! Mine looked nothing like the photograph, and had little in common with the previous review, very dry as one would expect, but very turbid and tart. This and other experiences suggests that Gwatkin is (like Thatchers for different reasons) a cidery where the bottled version is better than bag-in-box. Maybe it sometimes takes an age to settle. Takeout from Shrewsbury Beer Festival.

Comes in a 750 ml bottle, and it is a single varietal, from the ancient Foxwhelp cider apple, a variety over 300 years old. Lustrous copper colour, with a light, tangy aroma, carrying a hint of oak. The cider is surprisingly thon-bodiex, and has a very light flavour, lacking the richness and complexity of other Gwatkin ciders. The aftertaste is dominated by oak and tannins. A little disappointing, given Gwatkins usual high quality, and complex flavours. Still, very drinkable, even if its high alcohol content reduces its sessionability.