Redstreak comes out on top of the Battle of the Cider Barns at Sandford's Thatchers

The winner of the Battle of the Cider Barns competition, run by Thatchers in Sandford, has been revealed.

The people's choice of the Thatchers Battle of the Cider Barns will see Thatchers Redstreak produced once again this harvest.

Each year, Thatchers releases limited edition bottled ciders in its Cider Barn collection. This year, the fourth-generation cider maker asked fans to choose one of four ciders they would like to see pressed again in 2021.

Thatchers Redstreak topped the poll with 27 per cent of the votes. It is an 8.4 per cent single variety cider made from local Somerset Redstreak apples.

This traditional bittersweet apple variety is high in tannin and big on flavour, creating a bold, peppery cider with a spicy apple pie flavour, smooth feel and deep rich colour.

Thatchers' cider-makers use the traditional cuvage technique for Redstreak, where the apples are milled and then held for a day before pressing out the juice, so developing the best flavour for this variety.

Somerset Redstreak apples will begin to arrive at Myrtle Farm for pressing from their Somerset orchards at the end of September. The freshly pressed juice will then be fermented and bottled by November.

As well as topping the poll in the Battle of the Cider Barns, Redstreak was named Supreme Champion in the International Cider Challenge 2017, and was also voted the World's Best Sparkling Cider in the same year.

Each Cider Barn cider has its own story to tell, from single or dual apple varieties or a single orchard, all crafted with love at Myrtle Farm from the tastiest West Country apples.

The results of the Battle of the Cider Barn poll are:

1: Redstreak

2: 458

3: Prince William

4: Morgan Sweet and Grenadier

Thatchers head cider-maker, Richard Johnson, said: "We're delighted to be pressing Redstreak again this year following such a close competition.

"The Somerset Redstreak apple is one of our favourites for cider-making – and as well as being great addition to our blends, it makes a superb single variety cider, with its big and smooth character. It's a great choice for this year's Cider Barn range."

Comments on social media are excited to welcome Redstreak back. Dave Lewis says it's a worthy winner, and Charlotte Pimm says she can't wait to have it back. Liam Ball says its absolutely the most deserving winner, while DJgibbons says Redstreak is always a treat and certainly a favourite.

Thatchers Redstreak will be available later this year, and for more information, visit the Thatchers website.