Review of Thatchers Gold English Cider. I’ve previously tried Green Goblin from Thatchers.
Cider: Gold
Cidery: Thatchers
Cidery Location: Sandford, Somerset, England
ABV: 4.8%
How Supplied: four pack of 11.2oz bottles
Style: English medium dry cider
Availability: Unknown. Thatchers Gold launched in September 2014 in the U.S. with plans to roll out to 20 states. I read its the second best selling cider in bars in the UK.
Cider Description: Thatchers Gold is a full flavored medium dry cider with a smooth and refreshing taste made using traditional techniques and expertise gained since 1904. Enjoy chilled.
Thatchers Gold tastes as good as it looks. Using the best of our traditional approach and modern techniques for a refreshing cider with a smooth appley taste and a bright sparkle.
10 grams of sugar per 11.2 ounces. I read its made from cider apples including Dabinett, Redstreak, and Porters Perfection.
Cidery Description: For generations we’ve been perfecting our orchards, our craft, and our cider.
Today we’ve got a whole range that takes you from fresh, vibrant and modern, to traditional, vintage, specialty and single variety
Price: ~$2.25 for a single bottle (runs $7.50-$9.00 for a four pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. Previously I’ve only seen (and tried) their Green Goblin cider. English cider is one of my favorite varieties, so I was game to try a bottle.
First Impression: Pale gold. Low carbonation with tiny bubbles. Smells like champagne, dry, of yeast and must, with only a hint of apple.
Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Moderate acidity. Low tartness. Hints of bitterness, funk, and tannins. No sourness. Moderate sessionability. Low to moderate apple flavor. Light butterscotch notes but otherwise low in flavor. Light bodied. Quick finish.
My Opinion: I thought this cider was pretty average. It overall tasted very commercial and was lacking in flavor (seemed watered down). Plus the flavor seemed a bit odd, starting with the smell of champagne. Definitely don’t let this one warm up.
Most Similar to: I’d guess Magners and/or Bulmers, but I haven’t tried that one yet. From those that I have tried: Stongbow British Dry, plus Crispin Browns Lane (although less flavorful), Samuel Smith’s Organic Cider (although it had more cider apple flavor), and Dan Kelly’s Irish Cider (although not wild fermented).
Closing Notes: This was nice to try, but I was a bit disappointed. It seems to have good reviews online though.
Have you tried Thatchers cider? What did you think?
Cider Says 
A Brit here. I personally think you’re right in saying it is most similar to Strongbow, as it is quite a bit drier than both Magners and Bulmers. I find Bulmers and Magners both go down easier than this (but they are my favourites, so I may be biased!)
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Overall a pretty easy drinking cider. I first had Thatchers gold in a pub in Somerset, its home county. It was on draught and in my opinion tastes better than in the bottles although the bottled cider isn’t far off. I can see why it gets good reviews in the US as it has more of the “expected” cider taste in comparison to a French cider. Good to drink in the summer as it is quite refreshing chilled / cold.
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It sells well to the masses but is not a favourite with cider drinkers here in Somerset, Thatchers have commercialised their drinks and brand and are growing hugely for that but their real ‘Traditional’ cider has gone and been replace by ‘Stans’ which is ok but pasteurised so not a ‘live’ cider as it was for decades.
All the different alcopops they’re bringing out now appeal to the younger market which is where the money is – sigh, such is progress 😦
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