Festival 40 Pint Cider Kit - Oaked Apple

A very interesting kit indeed even by Ritchies high standards. Airlock was active within several hours. I under primed my bottles for sparkling so my bad I can't give a fair account on that score. But the still ones were the best ever. A very noticeable smoothness early into maturation and that was with dextrose so can't imagine or even see the need for liquid enhancer in this case. Full bodied mid sweetness with a very fresh appealing aroma. 1 oz of the oak chips achieved a subtle influence I could easily increase without fear of over doing it. Used about half the dried fruit with similar feeling. Improved up to around 12 months in bottles and remained very good for many weeks after that. Special occasions rather than every day drinking - it is that good.

This is a great kit , tastes better the longer you leave it to condition in the bottle.

Good cider, decent volume, a bit like Westons vintage. Don't need too many as it's a strong one! Amazing amount of dried fruit goes into the fermenter, and oak chips. Definitely recommend.

As usual a very pleasurable brewing experience to start with, the use of dried fruits and oak chips give some great aromas.

Once it's ready though, you will have a beautiful and powerful cider! Medium sweetness I think, with a hint of oak coming through, which is really nice. Mine definitely reached 7% as I was glowing after two too! This batch is slipping down very easily, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

Pleasure to brew. A good mix of ingredients and no sulphur like I've had with other ciders. Once ready the taste is lovely. It tastes like a medium cider, could be slightly drier in my opinion. The oak flavour comes through though, which is really nice. The funny part is that after just two pints I can really feel it, so the abv is certainly accurate! As a cider for everyone to enjoy I'd certainly recommend it.