Cranborne Chase The Smuggler Cider

The Smuggler is a traditional style, wonderfully full-bodied dry sparkling cider with a soft touch of tannins. It is made with a blend of Dorset apples including Browns, Sweet Alford, Sweet Coppin, and other traditional varieties. The Smuggler is named after an infamous Dorset character, who's legend can be read on the bottle label.

All of the fruit is from Dorset, with some grown in Cranborne Chase Cider's own orchards, and additional fruit from orchards further west in Longburton. Fresh fruit is gathered from unsprayed orchards, washed using clean fresh water from the farm's own source, and then pressed using a belt press. Over the winter the juice undergoes a cold ferment, using natural wild yeasts and sugars, before being ready for bottling.

Kayleigh and Chris tried this cider at Explorers HQ in June 2020. We found it to be crisp and refreshing, with a pleasing amount of astrigency coming through in the body.

The cidermaker, Bill Meaden, has won a number of awards at shows including at the prestigious Royal Bath and West British Cider Championships 2016.