There’s a bit here and there with the aroma, mostly straw, it’s fresh with a citrus zip.
I’m pretty sure (in fact I’m definitely sure) this is made by Henry Weston’s - however, interestingly it comes in at 8% whereas the last Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference cider was 6.8%ABV and matched up against Westons’ signature vintage (same ABV).
Westons’ current vintage is 8.2%, so are they lowering it for the future and this is the ‘test batch’ given and marketed as Sainsbury’s? Who knows? But the cider jury is out!
On the back of the aroma this cider is lightly carbonated with fine bubbles, probably a champagne or sparkling white wine yeast - nothing unusual there with a Westons cider - the taste is sweet yes, but balanced and full of citrus zest which I love. It’s sharp and softly tangy. The length is fairly short with a dry back end on the palate with a lemon/citrus kick at the end with a medium to full body. The name describes this cider as ‘medium dry with fresh, full apple flavour’.
The complexity is good, but not quite enough to notch it to some of the best I’ve had over my time.
The colour is great, looks great in the glass and a lovely golden colour - a perfect carbonated cider colour.
Overall, I’m giving it a 4/5 and I’d certainly buy it again. It’s a tad on the sweet side, but then most Westons ciders are and at 8%ABV it packs enough punch. Funny how they’ve been able to make Hawkstone’s cider and drive that down rk an acceptable 5%ABV (see my 5/5 review).
A decent cider - worth a try next time you see it in the Sainsbury’s shelf. Currently (Summer 2025) part of the 3 for £6.50 deal.
4/5.
Reviewed on 27 Aug 2025
