Triple vintage

Rich amber colour, very slight fizz and clear. Made from three years vintages from mostly Dabinett apples. The years being 2017, 2018 & 2021. Fresh apple aroma with dark berries. Flavour has dried fruit, wood and is rich with tannins.

Well, I was expecting a decent nose with this one - and well, it sort of delivers. Sort of. There’s apple and earth for sure - much else? Sniff, sniff - cherries, almost like Christmas, cooking in the kitchen with deep apple earthy swill. There’s a hint of leather and more berries. The taste - well, a Dabinett cider apple can be an acquired hit in some ways and it’s certainly divided me in the past. This cider is a blend of 3 vintage years from a single orchard, in this instance, 15th November 2021, 17th November 2022 and 13th November 2023. I’m glad I’m not the only one who leaves it late to press their apple harvest! On first gulp it almost tastes like the old UK soft drink, Tizer - and that could be the cherry notes - it’s just the strangest first sip I’ve ever had to describe! It soon turns into a bit of an apple sensation with medium to light body (for a blended vintage) and fairly short length. But it still hits home. It’s refreshing for sure with a deep apple resonance with a decent balance of being medium to medium sweet (as there is little dryness). It’s a tad bitter but don’t let that put you off and it’s certainly intriguing and interesting. In some ways, the 375ml bottle which it comes in leaves this review slightly short as there’s none left. I’ve quaffed the lot! It’s 6.8%ABV so has a bit of oomph and overall is rounded and present. It perhaps lacks a bit overall ‘finish’ to an otherwise complex taste that would get you talking amongst other cider enthusiasts. It’s bronze colour looks wholesome in the glass and it has light fizz which adds do the aesthetics. On first pour, it almost goes in like an amber ale and froths about after soon settling down. There’s a tang on the back end and the aftertaste keeps you going back trying to work out - if you can be bothered - what it is you’re tasting other than the Dabinett apples. Sometimes I do like to just sit back and enjoy a cider and in this instance I wish I had as doing a review on this one has proven to be a bit tricky. Have a try of it some time and see if you feel the same? I bought this is Bath, (Somerset UK) at the Amathus shop on Green Street. Tom who works in there was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. It’s definitely worth a visit. 4/5.