Picked this up along with 3 other ciders (from Pershore Press - Dry, Sweet, Discovery and Traditional Vintage Cider).
The nose is lovely - hint of sweet vanilla, hint of farmyard and a hint of wood. Very balance.
Taste? Is sweet - but very smooth with a silky caramel texture. The length is medium with an easy finish making this cider very drinkable.
It says that it’s made from 10 to 12 apple varieties from Pershore Press’s Avonbank Orchard with vague tartness ans some tannins. It says on the label it’s ‘stronger in tannin and body and typical of a three counties or West Country cider’. (The 3 counties being neighbouring Herefordshire and Gloucestershire).
I’d say it’s lighter in tannins that perhaps the back label would leave you to believe making it all the more drinkable.
The colour is light golden yellow and the fizz is just there (it’s definitely not still).
The taste is full of flavour and quite complex as the vanilla, caramel and honey kick in with hints of sweetness resembling an old sweet shop! It’s medium-bodied with plenty of light apple to kick it along (and more of a red apple variety than green apple flavour).
For a vintage cider it’s sweeter than I expected but don’t let that put you off. If the sweetness was a tad lighter I might have even gone for 5/5 with this one - but it’s a solid 4/5 in my eyes and very well crafted.
It’s 7.4% so it packs a bit of a kick - I’d say it’s very similar to Weston’s Medium Dry Vintage Cider (that’s 8.2% though) - and overall is very pleasant, easy-drinking if a tad too sweet for a traditional vintage. I’d also say it’s medium-sweet in taste with a tail-end of a dry finish 10 seconds or so after swallowing.
Another great effort from Pershore Press. See my other reviews of their ciders here on Cider Expert.
Best had by itself as any snacks will interfere with the flavour and enjoyment too much and wouldn’t provide any necessary accompaniment.
Reviewed on 30 Jul 2023
