Willie Smith Launches Two New Limited Edition Ciders

Willie Smith’s is set to launch two new ciders, the French Blend and Kingston Black, at the Australian Cider Festival October 8, 2016. The limited edition ciders are made from traditional apple cider varieties, created to challenge and delight cider-lovers.

Willie Smith’s Head Cider Maker, Dr. Time Jones, has drawn from his recent research trip to France, where a rich traditional cider-making heritage can be found, to create more complex styles for the craft cider market.

“Cider drinkers are becoming more curious and treating cider much like craft beer. We want to give them the chance to try something made authentically, using traditional techniques and real cider apples. It’s time to forget the sugar and focus on the real fruit and respect cider like we respect craft beer and wine.” Dr Jones explained.

Willie Smith’s French Blend

Willie Smith’s French Blend features 14 individual French Bittersweet cider apple varieties. Full-bodied and golden in colour, the medium-sweet cider made in French farmhouse style displays intense apple, stone fruit and floral aromas with savoury spice, almond and straw notes. The bittersweet apple flavours are balanced by a honeyed sweetness and structured drying tannins.

Willie Smith’s Kingston Black

The Kingston Black has been made from its namesake classic English traditional bittersweet cider apple, and then blended with Yarlington Mill apples. The result is a  refreshing yet complex medium-dry cider, with and tropical and stone fruit flavours and a crisp acidity with dry tannins.

With traditional apple cider apples used in the process, Willie Smith’s Co-founder Sam Reid expressed excitement at where the blends could take the market.

“The Cider market is still very embryonic and is where wine was back in the 80’s. Back then people tended to drink sweeter, less complex styles, often made from table grapes. We’re passionate about introducing people to the wonderfully complex styles of cider that can be made from fruit grown specifically to make cider!’ Reid stated.

Willie Smith’s Kingston Black and Willie Smith’s French Blend will be launching at the Australian Cider Festival, to be followed by a roll-out across leading independent retailers.

Willie Smith’s French Blend will be available in 750ml bottles (6.0% ABV) at RRP $31.99 per bottle, and Willie Smith’s Kingston Black in 750ml bottles (7.3% ABV) at RRP: $31.99.

For more information, visit www.williesmiths.com.au.

(You may also be interested in 4 Pines Brewing Co Release Limited Edition Hoppy Doppelbock)

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