Thatchers Vintage 2021 Cider Review

I’ve chosen Thatchers Vintage 2021 to by the first review of their cider family.

What am I expecting from this cider? I’m expecting mature, strong flavours. 
The bottle tells me this is a bittersweet cider, so though the tannins are high (sorry for the jargon), the acidity is low, so this wont be dry.

Let’s go!

What does Thatchers Vintage 2021 look like?

I’m very surprised to see this cider is clear. When it first came out of the bottle is was almost a fluorescent yellow, but as more liquid filled the glass, it become a beautiful golden colour. I even went back into my kitchen, where the best lighting is, to take a second look.

What does Thatchers Vintage smell like?

I give my glass the sophisticated swirl the name suggests it deserves.

A burst of juicy apple rockets right up there. Ethanol sneaks in from the 7.4% ABV.

What does Thatchers Vintage 2021 taste like?

If you saw my first impressions video on my instagram or tiktok (yep…we’re on their too, but don’t expect any silly dances), you’d have noticed the face I pulled. 

Now I’ve taken a few sips, I can confirm, all of them produced the same squirm. 

I’m actually enjoying the flavour more when I take smaller, more sophisticated sips. It’s the bitterness causing my face to collapse in on itself. 

It really does taste like the apples have been sitting around soaking up all sorts of flavours. I’m surprise It doesn’t taste on the barnyard side. 
There are some “subtle” woody notes – I say subtle like that because nothing seems subtle about this flavour. 

The Core

I know in 10, maybe 15 years I’ll enjoy this cider more, but at the moment its just a little intense with the mature flavours. I love what it’s trying to do, and arguebly it’s doing a bloody good job at it, but for me, my palate isn’t there yet. 

For a similar cider, check out the review for Golden Years Tremblett’s Bitter by Rich’s Cider.