English | Cider Says

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?

Here is a unique commercial cider from Crispin, 100% English made, from English bittersweet apples,

Cider: Browns Lane Imported Classic English Dry Cider
(named after first Jaguar car factory location in England)
Cidery: Crispin
Cidery Location: Colfax, CA
ABV: 5.8%
How Supplied: four pack of 16oz cans
Availability: wide release, year round (since 2011)

Description on Can: Authentically British, from its bespoke tailoring, to its superb craftsmanship, most defined by its world champion character. Classic English dry cider from English bittersweet cider apples.

Price: $8.99 / four pack (although I bought a single can for about $3)
Where Bought: Total Wine (although I’ve seen it other places, such as Fred Meyer & Whole Foods)
How Found: Browsing, after reading a review by Cider Sage which convinced me I may just like this one
Where Drank: home

Opinion: First impression is the amount of sparking when poured into the glass, and the deeper amber color, more so than many ciders. For some reason this really reminds me of semi-dry oak aged ciders, such as Schilling Oak Aged, although this is not barrel aged. I pick up a light earthy oak flavor. Even though this was drier, it was still very drinkable even to my palate which prefers sweeter ciders. I wouldn’t call it a fully dry cider though, as I have had a number of ciders which were more dry, even when usually trying to avoid them.

It starts out a bit sweeter (with an almost caramelized sugar type flavor) and finishes a bit drier, with the bittersweet apple flavor coming through. I wouldn’t however call it overly tart, which I have picked up in some drier ciders. I’m surprised how much I like this one actually! This is quite different than Crispin’s other selections, which vary from their fairly plain Original, to plain & blackberry pear varieties, to their Artisanal Reserve line. I’m curious how closely this actually resembles a traditional English Farmhouse cider, because if it does, I’m a fan!

Have you tried Crispin Browns Lane? What did you think?

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