Charmer By Orchard Pig

As Somerset is to the Glastonbury Festival, King Arthur and the Exmoor National Park, but we’re talking cider here so its more like The Wurzels. The Charmer By Orchard Pig is as they say is “Rooted in Somerset”, part of the West Country, the spiritual home of cider as far as most people are concerned. Back in the 18th century, local farm hands were paid in part with around 4 pints of cider for a day’s work, more if they earned it. This meant most farms had a small orchard to make their cider. Out of this the West Country cider tradition was born. Today a few farmhouse style cider houses are still making cider. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to stop by one of these you will know the unique smell of yeast eating the apple juice sugars turning the juice into cider, as well as splashes of last years batch soaking into the woodwork going a bit vinegary. Its a good place to be, so its happy smell for me.

Tasting notes

A little while ago I road tested the Reveller by Orchard Pig. Today’s test is in very similar conditions, the end of a long, hot day, the cider was poured into a big old pint glass.

The Nose

Straight away there is that barnyard full of fruit smell that hits you in the middle of the face and gets you all excited.

The Taste

Fruity and buttery. This smooth cider coats the inside of your mouth. You get all the fruit flavours without too much sweetness. The slightly higher alcohol content gives it that warming affect. Probably why they call it the Charmer. The barnyard smell carries over into a slight funky flavour. Lightly sparkly with streams of small bubbles. This is probably as close as you can get to a old school farm house zider without knowing a man with 5 teeth and a brand new combine ‘arvested.

Pairing ideas

The Wurzels back catalogue

Final Thoughts on Charmer By Orchard Pig

If the Orchard Pig’s Reveller is Price Harry, the party all night, playboy Prince, then The Charmer is Prince William, A little bit more traditional and a bit higher power. Although I don’t think HRH Lizzie would approve of the grand kids having a West Country zider
All in all if you offered me both, I’d personally choose The Charmer.

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