Last night saw the awards ceremony for the Australia’s best ciders at the 2015 Cider Australia Awards. Last year, somewhat controversially, the top gong went to the British cider maker Thatchers with their Somerset Gold. This year the top award stayed local. Willie Smith’s 18 Varieties limited edition taking out the Best in Show award. Results After the break.

Judges said the “18 Varieties” was very true to type – a medium cider in the traditional style – describing it as “lifted … with a lingering fruit flavour and an attractive bitterness on finish”.

Willie Smith’s co-owner Sam Reid said the prestigious award was a great reward for the entire crew at the Grove business, which is based on a fourth-generation organic apple farm.

“We couldn’t be happier with this product because it showcases what is great about Willie Smith’s – we are small enough to make really interesting cider but large enough to get it out to enough people to educate and influence the category.” – Sam Reid

Willie Smith’s 18 Varieties won 3 trophies – Best in Show, Best Cider and Best Australian Cider or Perry.

Cider Australia Vice President Warwick Billings said judges were impressed with the standard on display as they worked their way through 155 entries across 18 classes.

“This year there were almost double the number of medals awarded resulting from a significant increase in bronzes, which indicates that Australian producers are refining their cider making skills,” – Mr Billings.

2015 Cider Australia Awards Results Winners’ List



Trophies

Best in Show: Willie Smith’s Organic Cider (18 Varieties)

Best Cider: Willie Smith’s Organic Cider (18 Varieties)

Best Australian Cider or Perry: Willie Smith’s Organic Cider (18 Varieties)

Best in Class

1A New World Dry Cider: Jachmann Apple Co, Lady William Apple Cider 500ml

1B Traditional Dry Cider: Borrodell Vineyard, Borrodell Vineyard’s Heritage Apple Cider

2A New World Medium Cider: The Hills Cider Company, Apple Cider

2B Traditional Medium Cider: Willie Smith’s Organic Cider (18 Varieties)

3A New World Sweet Cider: Flying Brick Cider Co, Flying Brick Original Cider

3B Traditional Sweet Cider: Seven Oaks Farmhouse Cider, Kingston Black

4A/B Method Traditional Cider: 321 Cider, 321 Cider Methode Traditionelle Cuvee

5A New World Dry Perry: Core Cider Company, Perry

6A New World Medium Perry: The Hills Cider Company, Pear Cider

7A New World Sweet Perry: The Barossa Valley Cider Company, Squashed Pear Cider

8A/B Method Traditional Perry: Frank’s Cider, Frank’s Perry (Methode Champenoise)

9 Cider or Perry with Fruit: Cheeky Rascal Cider, Passion Fruit Pink Lady

10 Specialty/Experimental Cider or Perry: Batlow Cider, Batlow OPA Cider

11 Ice Cider or Perry: Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder Pomona Ice 2015

12 Pommeau, Henry of Harcourt, G Del

“With such rapid improvement in the overall quality of our local ciders since the Awards began five years ago, we expect to see even more exceptional Australian ciders in future years.” – Mr Billings.

Looking forward to the 2016 Cider Australia Awards.