Magners Original Apple cider has won the Best in Show at the 2017 Australian Cider Awards in the largest ever field of entries.
The judges said Magners Original Apple was awarded the top prize because it displayed a perfect balance of sugar, tannin and overall complexity combined with toasty, savoury, creamy notes – the ‘wow’ factor that helped this product rise to the top.
Magners took out two additional trophies for Best New World Cider and Best International Cider.
Coca-Cola Amatil took over distribution of Magners in Australia from Bacardi-Martini Australia in July, joining a cider portfolio that includes Swedish cider Rekorderlig, local Australian craft cider Pressman’s and US craft cider Angry Orchard.
Stuart Boag, the brand’s Australian marketing manager, said: “This is a great acknowledgement for a cider that proudly still adheres to the traditional methods employed since it was founded in 1935.
“Magners is made using 17 varieties of apples, many grown among its own 150 acres of orchards and delivered directly to the cidery in Clonmel, Ireland. To win such a highly-respected award is huge tribute to the Magners team back in Ireland, and their dedication and passion for preserving the essence of the brand, and giving us such a complex yet beautifully balanced and refreshing flavour to enjoy.”
Industry honours the late Drew Henry
Cider Australia President Sam Reid said the night was particularly memorable because Cider Australia presented its inaugural Champion of the Industry Award, a new award that honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian cider industry over a prolonged period of time.
“The Award was presented posthumously to Harcourt orchardist and cider maker Drew Henry”, said Reid.
“Drew was a passionate advocate for craft cider, a generous educator and a leader in his field, and the Australian cider industry is in a better place as a result of Drew’s involvement”.
Four other gold medals were awarded in the competition to St Ronan’s Cider from Victoria, The Barossa Cider Co along with new entrant The Sparkke Change Beverage Company from South Australia and the UK’s Westons Cider.
Chief Steward of the Awards Nyall Condon said it is amazing to see how far the Awards have come in just a few years with a record 250 local and international entries (25% more than last year) and a big step up in the number and grade of medals being awarded.
Trophy winners
Best in Show – Magners with Original Apple
Best Traditional Cider – St Ronan’s with Methode Traditionelle Heritage
Best New World Cider – Magners with Original Apple
Best Perry – Carmel Cider with Pear
Best Cider and Perry Blend – LOBO Cider with Apple & Pear
Best Intensified/Distilled Cider or Perry – Small Acres Cyder with 2015 Pomona Ice
Best Australian Cider or Perry – St Ronan’s with Methode Traditionelle Heritage
Best International Cider or Perry – Magners with Original Apple
Most Successful Small Producer (< 50,000 litres per year) – Small Acres Cyder
Most Successful Larger Producer (>50,000 litres per year) – Westons Cider
Inaugural Champion of the Industry Award – Drew Henry
Best in Class
New World Dry Cider – Winter Brook Vintage Cider 2016, Winter Brook
Traditional Dry Cider – Willie Smiths Somerset Red Streak Dry Cider, William Smith & Sons
New World Medium Cider – Original Apple, Magners
Traditional Medium Cider – Wyld Wood Organic Apple, Westons Cider
New World Sweet Cider – Squashed Apple Cider, The Barossa Cider Co
Traditional Sweet Cider – LOBO Royale, LOBO Cider
Method Traditional (disgorged) Cider – Methode Traditionelle Heritage, St Ronan’s
New World Dry Perry – Pear Perry, Spreyton Cider Co
Traditional Dry Perry – No entries
New World Medium Perry – Packham Pear, The Cider Lab
Traditional Medium Perry – Pear Cider, Twisted Sister Cider
New World Sweet Perry – Mr Finch Pear Perry (Bottle), Mr Finch
Traditional Sweet Perry – No entries
Method Traditional (disgorged) Perry – Pear, Carmel Cider
Speciality/Experimental Cider or Perry – The Hills Cider Company Hop Edition, The Hills Cider Company
Apple and Pear Blends – LOBO Apple & Pear, LOBO Cider
Cider or Perry with Fruit – The Hills Cider Company Apple Ginger, The Hills Cider Company
Ice Cider or Perry – Small Acres Cyder 2015 Pomona Ice, Small Acres Cyder
Pommeau – Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau, Small Acres Cyder
Apple or Pear Spirit – The Hills Cider Company, Adelaide Hills Distillery Virgin Apple Spirit
