We take care over each step of the cider-making process; from pressing the apples and fermenting with the finest blend of Champagne yeasts, to maturing the cider for at least 6 months to achieve that rounded, smooth Thistly Cross taste. We have the highest standards at every step of the process and compromise nothing for the taste that makes us so deliciously unique.
The Thistly Cross cider family consists of seven hand-picked cider varieties, including refreshing strawberry made with real Scottish strawberries from our farm and the complex whisky cask cider – matured in ex-whisky casks (currently from Glen Moray). Our Elderflower-pressed Cider at 4% proves to be quite a talking point but it’s the Original Farmhouse cider at 6.2% that’s most loved across the board. Occasionally we produce limited editions and collaborative brews but these are our core varieties:
Thistly Cross Original Cider 6.2%: our naturally fermented cider is a refreshing, lightly sparkling drink with a long maturation to give a smoother complexion than most commercial ciders. It is light and fruity to taste, with more complex flavours developing. Great head for a bottled cider. Clean light nose with a refreshing, crunchy palate. This is a well balanced cider with easy appley flavours.
Thistly Cross Strawberry Cider 4%: So many juicy, hand-picked strawberries packed into one glass! An oustandingly drinkable premium fruit cider that has all the natural flavours of soft fruit: fresh strawberries with a little apple zing. Far superior to commercial fruit ciders. Beautiful golden colour with a red tinge. Fresh strawberries dominate. Surprising crunchy finish and refreshing taste with subtle strawberry on the palate.
Thistly Cross Ginger Cider 4%: A medium sweet cider with bright golden colour. Smells like a good very pleasant Ginger beer. Soft mouthfeel with ginger dominating the palate due to the infused blend of fresh root ginger, pressed on our apple press. A well balanced, full bodied and refreshing cider which should unite ginger lovers the world over. A refreshing summer drink or warming winter tipple.
Thistly Cross Whisky Cask Cider 6.7%: A flavoursome cider made potent in the oak of a Glen Moray whisky cask with lingering tastes to be savoured. A gentle whisky flavour initially intermingles with subtle, medium dry cider, giving way to the distinctive full bodied flavour of the cask; finishing overtones of whisky. It offers all the flavour of the cask whilst keeping the light, fruity aspect of all the Thistly Cross Ciders.
Thistly Cross Elderflower Cider 4%: The fresh fruitiness of apples combines with the heavy citrus zest of elderflowers to give a unique aroma and warm caramel colour. We spike our base farmhouse cider with real elderflowers; their pungent astringency bestows a rich, complex flavour laced with fruit notes. Classic pear esters underpin subtle floral sweetness.
Thistly Cross Traditional Cider 4.4%: Bright golden colour with aromas of ripe apples. Soft mouthfeel and low acidity with a refreshing fruity finish. Very easy to drink, a real thirst quencher and great session material – to be drunk on a night out. Gently sparkling.
Thistly Cross Cloudy Cider 5.5%: A naturally cloudy, unfiltered, medium dry apple cider. Crisp and beautifully balanced, every bottle of this cloudy cider is packed full of unfiltered goodness. Refreshing whatever the weather! Gently sparkling. *available only in 330ml bottles