Thatchers Cider has scooped a top trophy for its much-loved, single variety cider, Katy, in a highly-acclaimed international cider-tasting competition.

Thatchers Katy, the Sandford cider-maker's 7.4 per cent single variety, was awarded the best-in-class trophy for new world style ciders, together with a gold medal, in the 2021 International Cider Challenge.

The competition attracted more than 150 ciders from 18 different cider production nations, with each cider blind tasted by an expert panel of judges, and assessed according to taste, appearance and aroma.

Thatchers Katy is a fine, fresh and fruity bottled cider that has been crafted at Myrtle Farm for more than two decades.

Made using West Country Katy apples, a sweet, crisp dessert apple that lends itself perfectly to cider-making, this is a cider hailed as having a subtle sweetness, a refreshing sparkle and crisp, tangy finish.

"We put our heart and soul into making our ciders, so to receive this amazing recognition from the judges is really appreciated and is testament to absolutely everyone at Thatchers who have helped us craft such a much-loved cider," said Martin Thatcher, the fourth generation cider-maker.

"The Katy apple is grown in our orchards here at Myrtle Farm and by our growers throughout the West Country.

"It is a very special apple to us, characterised by its beautiful bright red skin. A dessert apple, it provides the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness for a single variety cider, and is the perfect apple for an expertly crafted, premium cider."

The Katy apple is one of the first of Thatchers apple varieties to come out into blossom, and the first to be harvested. It's a bright red apple - a cross between Worcester Pearmain and James Grieve.

The International Cider Challenge, run by Drinks Retailing magazine, is now in its 11th year, and judges praised the consistent quality of the entries.

The panel of 30 judges comprised supermarket buyers, independent retailers, cider experts, journalists and cider-makers.

Chair of the competition, James Finch, said: "The variety and originality entered this year was tremendous and seems to increase year on year as consumer demand for new tastes to savour grows.

"Cider really is the most exciting drinks category to be a part of."

Katy was not Thatcher's only cider to be recognised in the competition. Two of its speciality Cider Barn ciders, Cox's and Grenadier, and its first alcohol free cider, Zero, were all awarded medals.