Cider made in a Clayhidon farmhouse in the Blackdowns has been judged the best in Britain.

Alex Hill has pulled off a double victory in the British Cider Championships. His dry,  ‘deeply traditional’ Bollhayes was named Champion British Cider and Champion British Farmhouse cider.

It is the second time in 15 years that Bollhayes has won both top honours. This year, despite the Covid-19 crisis, there were 299 entries, blind-tasted by expert judges.

Alex said: “What makes it really special is that all the apples that went to make the cider are from my own orchard on the farm, which I planted over 30 years ago. It is wonderful to see our hard work come, almost literally, to fruition.

“The apples were a mixture of Yarlington Mill, some Dabinett and Chisel Jersey, plus one or two we couldn’t really recognise. Even when the cider was only half fermented it tasted delicious, and it is just a lovely, drinkable, traditional West Country cider.”

Bollhayes apples are hand-picked and the cider is made without adding yeast. Wild yeasts, naturally present in the apple crop, provide the fermentation

The winning cider – well known to audiences at Clayhidon Parish Hall and sold online and at various local markets – was described by the judges’ chairman, Nick Bradstock, as “a fine cider, with some austerity, the tannins and acidity excellently balanced and giving a long and full finish”.

He added: “It is a long time since a farmhouse cider came out on top, but it does go to show how much care and attention goes into even as traditional a product as farmhouse dry.”.

The championships were staged as part of the Orchards and Cider exposition at the Bath and West Country Festival.

Alex, who with his late wife Bee founded Vigo, the Dunkeswell-based fruit press equipment company, was described by competition organisers as one of the most respected and influential cider-makers in the West of England.

“I know it’s a bit of a cliché but it is true that the overall standard gets higher with every passing year”, said Nick. “Even the very few ciders that aren’t quite up to standard usually have some quirkiness about them and the vast majority are superb examples of their type.”

Alex was presented with the Rupert Best Trophy for the Supreme Champion British Cider by David Simmons, immediate Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.  The Pewterers’ Trophy for the Champion British Farmhouse Cider was presented by Richard Hills, Upper Warden of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers.