Two more for the road

You know what it's like... you spend ages waiting for a bus and then two come along at once.

Judging by the number of people that reach this blog via cider related google searches there'll be at least 2, if not 3, very happy people that the cider survey is back on track with another 2 varieties.

Up for review tonight are Golden Valley Scrumpy from Gwatkin Cider and Sheppy's Dabinett Apple.

The scrumpy was hotly anticipated after Gwatkin's previous entry in this section, the Yarlington Mill variety, scored an impressive 17 out of 20.

It was not going to disappoint either. A solid dry taste and texture, coupled with the perfect solid gold colour and backed up with an interesting pictorial label, ensured for a high scoring bottle.

It was ever so slightly fizzy and a bit thin in texture but, nevertheless, another fantastic effort from Gwatkin and one that leaves it heading for the top of the table.

Name: Golden Valley Scrumpy, (6%)
Label: 4/5
Looks: 5/5
Flavour: 5/5
Texture: 4/5
Total: 18/20

Sadly, after such a strong effort from Gwatkin Sheppy's were about to let the side down. Dabinett Apple, although a strong, alcoholic cider, had neither the flavour nor texture to win many friends.

It was extremely wet and thin to taste with far too much fiz, something which is quite common for ciders over 7% in alcohol volume.

The main let down was the flavour. Far too flat and with little appleyness, almost like flat appletize. It was actually surprisingly easy to drink, in the way that water can be easy to drink, and given the high alcohol volume could be quite dangerously boring in many ways.

Name: Sheppy's Dabinett Apple, (7.2%)
Label: 2/5
Looks: 3/5
Flavour: 1/5
Texture: 2/5
Total: 8/20

The overall league table currently looks like this.