A Cider For Middle Youth Silliness (Westons Organic)

Member Name: flutel

Product:	Westons Organic
Date:	26/06/09 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Vegan, Organic, Delicious

Disadvantages: More expensive than other ciders but this doesn't matter because it is so good.

Westons Organic Cider is my tipple of choice. I say choice - but most people do not realise that many wines, ciders and ales are not vegetarian or vegan. This is because many animal derived substances can be used in their manufacture such as the substance isnglass, which is a pure form of gelatine derived from the air-bladders of some freshwater fish. This is used for clarifying alcoholic drinks (making the liquid clear).


I choose to avoid drinking alcoholic drinks with these substances in - and this limits my choice. Fortunately, the drinks that are vegan are usually of a high quality and very good to drink.

Westons Organic Cider in no exception; it is an award-winning cider in fact.


All about Westons
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Westons is a family owned business based in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcle. They were established in 1880 and seem to be a company that is committed to producing a quality beverage.

The Premium organic is traditionally made from selected organically grown cider apples grown according to organic certification UK5.(whatever that is). It is then fully matured in old oak vats to develop.


The bottle
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This cider comes in a 500 ml bottle (almost a pint) so it is a little bit bigger than some standard cider bottles. It has a golden label on the bottle that depicts an even more golden apple. There is another label on the back that gives you all the extra information you might want. It instructs you that there is a 'best before' date and that is on the cap and it also tells you that the drink contains sulphites.

The bit I like :

' Best served chilled. Suitable for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs'.

I had to rummage around to find that on the label. I rejoiced and put it in my trolley.


Taste
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Cider is often considered to be a bit of a teenagers or alcoholics drink - because it does the job quite efficiently but this drink is in a different league. I consider it to be a grown-up cider which would appeal to those, like me, who are looking for a little bit extra.


Drinking this cider is a very pleasant experience. The label describes it as having a 'rich smooth character' and I think it is quite well put and accurate. In my mouth it has none of the sharp, winky taste that some cheaper ciders can have. I actually enjoy the experience of drinking it rather than having to put up with a less rounded cider (I have many times in the past).


After effects
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I am quite a slim woman and a bottle of this makes me feel tiddly. Two bottles and I am the life and soul! Beware - it is quite strong - don't let the drinkability of it lure you into too many; it can result in silliness. This cider is 6.5% vol.


Recent Experience
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I took a bottle of this along to a recent local festival in a park and sipped it in the sun. I was surprised how much interest it provoked from friends who wanted to taste it and were very impressed at its organic status (a real sign of middle-youth). In the end, I walked off with it to drink it and get some peace. Thanks to that festival, I'm sure Westons will be shifting a few more bottles.

Price
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I usually pay £1.59 but Tesco has an offer on where you can get 3 for 2 making them around a £1 each. This offer is only on until the 30th June 09. Quick - rush out and get some!

Summary: Cider comes of age with this quality beverage (I love the word beverage).