Waulkmill Cider, based in Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway, has become the first Scottish producer to ever win an award at CAMRA’s prestigious National Cider and Perry Championship.
The craft cider maker, who was also recently crowned Scotland’s Artisan Drink Producer of the Year at the Scottish Rural Awards, won Silver for Mooseheid Perry at the Championships which took place at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival last week.
The competition featured ciders and perries from across the UK, with each judged on its individual taste, aroma, flavour, after-taste and overall appeal. The top awards were selected by a specially chosen panel of judges with the final stage consisting of judging 24 ciders and 24 perries that had made it through to the finals after a year of local tasting panels and regional heats.
The Championships are organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and 2017 is their 29th year of campaigning for real cider and perry.
Andrea Briers, CAMRA National Cider and Perry Committee Chairman, says: “I would like to congratulate Waulkmill Cider for becoming the first Scottish producer to win any award in CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry Championship. Waulkmill Cider took silver for its Mooseheid Perry, which has a sweet and sour aroma of pear and crab apple, and is a very refreshing drink.
“It’s a huge achievement to win a national perry award outside of the traditional cider making regions and a testament to the growth of traditional cider in Scotland.”
Waulkmill Cider was started by Chris Harrison in 2010 with the goal of establishing a uniquely Scottish craft cider tradition.
Based near the Scottish border, Waulkmill Cider uses predominantly Scottish heritage varieties of apples and pears, for example, the award winning Mooseheid Perry includes the local Jedburgh pear named ‘Muirfowl Egg’ which contributes to its unique flavour profile. Waulkmill has also won accolades for rejuvenating ancient orchards across the south of Scotland and for adopting a zero waste approach to production.
Chris Harrison said he was thrilled to win the silver award, commenting: “It’s taken a while to sink in that a Scottish perry has won such a prestigious national award. The CAMRA Cider and Perry Championships are the top cider and perry awards in the UK, and I didn’t for a minute expect a Scottish drink to rank so highly.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Mooseheid Perry found favour with the judges. While being unique in that it uses Scottish grown and native varieties of pear; its production method and the spirit of the drink is very much that of a traditional perry, and that has been reflected in the kind words of the judges.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with the response and support of the industry since the award, and I’m thrilled to see Mooseheid Perry now being put on tap at some of the best cider pubs in the UK.”
