Imperial Cyder

It’s sweeter than you’d think, and that’s on the other side of medium-sweet. It’s strong too, at 8.2% - you couldn’t sink too many of these, unless there were a bed or nice hay bale nearby. I’m a big fan of Aspall’s ciders so I looked forward to sampling this one. It’s light gold in colour with a shimmer of bronze haze. It’s punchy, sour, fruity and very earthy. It’s quite acidic, a tad too much for my palate with a slightly bitter aftertaste - but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it makes it taste like an authentic ‘farmyard’ sparkling cider. It’s very sharp in taste and my expectation was that it would be a bit smoother like Henry Weston’s Vintage (also 8.2%). I had this cider after a long day pressing apples in the garden (making my own annual cider) and would say it’s best enjoyed alone. I’d give it 5/5 but it’s not as smooth as I’d like from a premium cider such as this one and therefore it’s a solid and worthy 4/5. Some will give it 5/5 I’m sure as it certainly doesn’t deserve a 3/5. Would buy again with the intention of knowing I’m drinking it alone, without a snack - and very chilled.

Had this one in the UK a month ago from a bottle at a party. It's my favourite of the Aspall ciders so far.

A little more bite than I’d choose (I like things pretty sweet) but pretty decent cold and with the fizz let out.

A lighter cider for the warm days!

Affordable quality cider, a must have while visiting any place in UK

Amber-coloured, with a rich, fruity aroma, and a syrupy character. The flavour is rich and tangy, with complex tones of tea, raisins, and toffee, and marked bitterness in the aftertaste. This inspires thoughts of winter nights by the stove, perhaps with a strong cheese and oatcakes. Too rich and alcoholic to have more than a couple, but a good drink in moderation.

Tasty, would appeal to a wide variety of palates.

Very flavorful! Very balanced, crisp with sweetness that is very easy to drink. It is the best I've ever had!

Mmmmmmm

Amber colour, moderate fizz and clear. Aroma of whisky and oak. Rich flavour with oak, caramel and a whisky burn.

Different from the black label cider of the same name and ABV, oddly enough. This one has more bitterness, more alcohol burn, less tannins, no oak notes, slightly less sweetness, and less richness. Overall I really like it, but it doesn't come close to the black label version of Imperial, which is one of my all time favorite ciders. My best guess is the blue label replaced the black label, but its tough to tell. If I can't find the black label one again I'll be disappointed.

I loved this cider, it has age, depth, body, complexity, good tartness and bitterness to balance the vanilla and caramel. Fruit backward, but it's apple heritage shines.

Smokey flavor, is this brewed in oak?

Strong full flavor and mild tartness, sweet and a little bitter and astringent at the same time.

Yeast in the nose. Barnyard in the taste, and really good