Sandford Orchards celebrates three Golds at the Taste of the West Awards
Sandford Orchards, producer of authentic cider created by combining tradition and innovation, is thrilled to have scooped three Gold and one Silver Taste of the West award for their 'cider done right'. This year's Gold Taste of the West awards have been awarded to their rugby themed cider Rib Tickler and two of their new vintage ciders: The General and Sandford Reserve. Their third vintage cider, Apple & Oak, received a silver
Judged by the most astute palates of chefs, buyers, retailers and food writers, the Taste of the West Awards is a renowned accreditation for artisan producers. The awards celebrate quality, integrity and provenance of food in the region and seek to promote local produce that goes above and beyond in terms of quality and taste. The unmistakable logo is a clear signal for an outstanding product that has met rigorous judging criteria.
Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards comments: "We are absolutely delighted to receive four Taste of the West awards, three of them Gold. We are passionate about producing the best tasting cider 'done right'. We are proud to make cider properly taking a fresh, natural, low impact approach and using the best apples in the world. It is great to know that the award judges think our cider is pretty special too."
Rib Tickler (ABV 5%) was created with The Rugby Players Association to raise vital funds for charity. It has rich aromas of honey and baked apple, ripe and buttery on the palate, with a moreish apple skin flavour, balanced with a crisp, natural acidity.
Sandford Reserve - Finest Cask-Aged Cider (ABV 7.4%)
Sandford Reserve is the 'exhibition' cider of the vintage range. Using the pick of the 2019 crop and matured in larger wine casks, Sandford Reserve drinks like a smooth, oaky, chardonnay with flavours of honey, Madeira and dried fruits. It's the perfect partner to curry or spicy Asian food.
The General - Mighty Vat-Aged Cider (ABV 8.4%)
The General is the Imperial Stout of the vintage range. This super rich cider is bold and satisfying with the flavours of Seville orange, plum and baked apple. It is a superb complement to gamey meats or a fully-laden Sunday roast.
Apple & Oak - Fresh Oak-Finished Cider (ABV 6.7%)
'Apple and Oak', is a dry vintage cider aged in new oak barrels. It showcases youthful, ripe, bittersweet apple flavours which are complemented by hints of vanilla and toasty oak. The ideal accompaniment to a cheese ploughmans or cured meats, it's the 'cider nouveau' of the collection.
Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grasslands and its orchards. Crediton's 'Redlands' boast a unique microclimate, sheltered between Devon's huge moors, long hours of warm sunshine and mineral rich soils produce the most flavoursome apples for cider imaginable.
Combining tradition and innovation, Sandford Orchards produces an award-winning range of core session, flavoured, vintage and fine ciders.
For further information on Sandford Orchards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk
