Review of Aspall Perronelle’s Blush, an English cider with blackberry juice.  I tried this previously at Cider Summit Seattle 2016, but this is a full review of a bottle.  I’ve tried a few Aspall varieties, every one that I have seen locally – Dry, John Barrington, Imperial (black label), Demi Sec, Imperial (blue label), and Grand Cru.

Cider:  Perronelle’s Blush
Cidery:  Aspall
Cidery Location:  Suffolk, England
ABV:  5.7%
How Supplied:  500ml tall bottle
Style:  commercial English cider with blackberry juice

 

Availability:  semi wide release

Cider Description:  Perronelle’s Blush Suffolk Cyder is inspired by our Grandmother Perronelle, who loved foraging for blackberries in the hedgerows around the orchards at Aspall.  Taste Descriptor:  Attractive apple and blackberry define a sweetish palate, with good acid balance and a long soft fruit finish.  Serving Suggestion:  Wonderful with duck & hoisin sauce, and sharp fruit-based puddings such as tarte au citron and gooseberry fool.  Apple Variety:  Bittersweet, Culinary & Dessert.

Their website lists this at 4% ABV, while the bottle says 5.7%, so they may have both local and for export only versions, or they changed the recipe at some point.

Cidery Description:  Our family cyder-making business was established in 1728 by Clement Chevallier. He planted the orchards at Aspall Hall in Suffolk. The Chevallier family still live and work among Clement’s orchards and today Aspall is run by the eighth generation of the family.

Price:  $4.99 (on sale from $6.99 – I’m guessing they are clearing out inventory to discontinue selling it)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I originally tried this at Cider Summit Seattle; this time I was just browsing

First Impression:  Purple-red hue.  Still (no carbonation).  Smells mild, of berries.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness.  Low to moderate acidity.  Hints of tannins.  No bitterness, sourness, or funk.  Notes of raspberry, blackberry, green apple, and lemon.  Moderate length finish.  Low apple flavor and complexity.  High sessionability.  Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it – nice balanced berry flavor and a perfect level of sweetness for my tastes.  However, there was no noticeable English cider characteristics; I would have guessed this was a U.S. cider from dessert apples.  However, at the price point and for the style (flavored), I didn’t mind.

Most Similar to:  A U.S. made craft cider from dessert apples with berries or berry juice added.

Closing Notes:  My favorite Aspall by far is the black label Imperial, but they appear to have replaced that with the blue label Imperial.  I think they are all pretty tasty though, an entry level English cider (not as tannic or funky as many, so well suited to those not yet familiar with the style).

Have you tried Aspall cider?  What did you think?