Henney’s Dry Cider is a typical Herefordshire dry cider. It’s so typical of the style it has been awarded PGI status by the European Union. But is this a typical cider or something more?
PGI or Protected Geographic Indicator is a system, designed to keep food traditions alive. It insures food and drinks are made in traditional ways by craftsman local to the area where they stay. Basically it stops the big boys bastardising a traditional product in the name of profit.
Henney’s Dry cider has been awarded PGI status as a Herefordshire cider. So you know it’s been done right. Made in the right place, Herefordshire and it’s made from these varieties of apples; Ashton Bitter, Ellis Bitter, Harry Masters Jersey, Browns Apple, Michelin, Dabinett, Yarlington Mill and Tremletts Bitter. All are freshly juiced with no added rubbish.
The Nose
Subtle spices back up a nose full of apples, but it’s not like filling your lungs at your local fruit and veg shop. It’s full of wonderful, dare I say, exotic mix of old English apples. You probably think English and exotic in the same sentence? Hugh you’ve lost the plot, the most exotic food to come out of England is potatoes 3 ways with some roast beef (roasted, mashed and a side of chips). But trust me there are flavours lurking in these apples that we antipodean cider geeks can only read about.
The Taste
If you take a look at Henney’s Dry Cider, you’ll see a dark golden cider erupting with vigorously chunky bubbles. One would expect the bubbles filling one’s mouth. Instead as Henney’s Dry Cider hits your cheeks, they are instantly sucked in by suction cups full of tannins.
Approachable bitters, gentle funk and smooth texture make it an absolute gateway drug into Herefordshire style ciders.
The flavour of those rare breed apples give off magnificent depth. subtleties like leather, dark chocolate and pineapple are all there.
The cider is so well balanced, a gentle sweetness, healthy bitterness and rolling acids support a fantastic tannin structure.
The finish lingers without cloying sweetness.
Final Thoughts on Henney’s Dry Cider
You know it’s a good cider when I take so long to write the review. I was to busy drinking this, enjoying it, to write about it. I had to go back to my bottle shop a few times to do it justice.
This could be a good cider to have a few of. The bottle says 6% but it kicks much harder than that.
Well done Mr. Henney.
| Product | Henney’s Dry Cider |
| Company | Henney’s Cider Company |
| Sweetness | Off Dry |
| Alc/Vol | 6% |
| Website | Hennys.co.uk |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Region | Frome Valley, Herefordshire |
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May 27, 2017
I liked this one too! However, I have to say I much preferred their Vintage, especially for the cost. Although there are plenty of times I would like the Dry, like with certain meals, or when it was really warm.
April 25, 2020
[Quote] PGI or Protected Geographic Indicator is a system, designed to keep food traditions alive. It insures food and drinks are made in traditional ways by craftsman local to the area where they stay. Basically it stops the big boys bastardising a traditional product in the name of profit.[Quote] I think you’ll find they are mainly used by big boys to protect them from further competition. Examples include Melton Mowbray Pork Pies with 180 mile radius. Cornish Pasties dominated by Ginsters and Stilton Cheese which has similar boundaries to the MM pork pies and cannot be made in STILTON.