Thatchers Unveils Three New Flavours From Its Cider Barn Range

Thatchers, the award-winning family-owned cider maker, has launched three exciting new additions to its exclusive Cider Barn range: Thatchers Oak-aged Redstreak, Thatchers Scrumptious, and Thatchers Heritage.

Crafted with passion and skill, the Cider Barn range celebrates Thatchers’ long-standing tradition of small-batch, experimental ciders. Made with the finest apples each new cider in the collection highlights unique qualities, from apple variety tastes, to innovative techniques, unusual blends and craft of Thatchers’ expert cider makers.

Thatchers’ Myrtle Farm is home to not just eight varieties, but 458 varieties of apple, making it the largest collection in the UK. This offers the cider makers a rich and diverse range of flavours to experiment with.

Richard Johnson, Head Cider Maker at Thatchers Cider said:

“It is such a joy and a privilege to be able to have the freedom and space offered by the Cider Barn to simply create. It is our unique place to experiment with varieties, fermentation and blending to uncover new and exciting styles of cider."

“Each cider tells a story about the apple varieties, the orchards they come from and the craftsmanship behind every bottle. This year I have enjoyed working with traditional bittersweet somerset apples, rediscovering their unique characteristics, and using our 175-year-old oak vats to infuse depth and flavour.”

Martin Thatcher, fourth-generation cider maker says:

“The Cider Barn range holds a special place in our hearts. As we celebrate 120 years of cider-making here at Myrtle Farm, innovation remains as important to us now as it was back in 1904."

"These small-batch ciders represent the passion of our expert cider makers and often serve as a scratch pad for new ideas and flavours. In fact, our Thatchers Juicy Apple was born from a Cider Barn cider. After receiving such an amazingly positive reception, we knew we had to put it into wider production, and I’m proud to say it’s now available in Morrisons, Tesco, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, as well as bars and pubs across the country!”

Meet the new members of the Thatchers family…

Thatchers Oak-aged Redstreak

This bold and distinctive cider is a tribute to the Somerset Redstreak apple, a variety known for its unique tannins and rich bittersweet flavour. Matured in Thatchers’ 175-year-old oak vats, Thatchers Oak-aged Redstreak (8.4% ABV) has a smooth, full-bodied character with hints of spicy apple pie, vanilla, and a peppery finish. Created by Thatchers Head Cider Maker, Richard Johnson, this single-variety cider embodies the ethos of Thatchers, with a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, making it a must-try for those who enjoy complex, wine-like ciders.

Thatchers Scrumptious

For those who love a lighter, fruitier cider, Thatchers Scrumptious (5.0% ABV) delivers a delicate balance of sweetness and elegance. This delightful blend of early summer dessert apples, including Katy, Scrumptious, and Discovery, boasts natural strawberry notes that dance on the palate, complemented by a crisp, bubbly finish. Crafted by cider maker Paul Ross, *Scrumptious* is a vibrant and effervescent cider, perfect for enjoying as a refreshing treat at any time.

Thatchers Heritage

A true celebration of Somerset’s cider-making heritage, Thatchers Heritage (6.0% ABV) is made from a blend of bittersweet apples grown at Thatchers’ Mabots Orchard. This farmhouse-style cider offers a rich and smooth taste with soft tannins and deep, authentic flavours that showcase traditional bittersweet apple varieties like Tremlett’s Bitter. With its full-bodied character and complex finish, Thatchers Heritage is a tribute to both the past and the future of cider-making.

The new Cider Barn range is now available in 500ml bottles exclusively from the Thatchers Cider Shop at Myrtle Farm, online at www.thatcherscider.co.uk/cider/cider-barn and at the Railway Inn in Sandford, priced from £2.60. The ciders make a perfect gift for cider lovers this Christmas, or a special treat for those who love to try something new.

In addition to the Cider Barn range, Thatchers has also launched its ever-popular ‘Thatchers 12 Days of Cider Christmas Calendar’. Available exclusively at Thatchers Cider Shop or online at www.thatcherscider.co.uk/shop, the calendar is the ideal present for any cider enthusiast. This year’s collection includes exclusive Cider Barn ciders alongside classic favourites and surprise merchandise.