Willie Smith’s Organic Cider in Tasmania has scored the top prize for the second year running at this year’s Australian Cider Awards with a limited release cider.

The Best in Show prize was awarded to Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider in front of 100 people on Friday night at the cider industry’s gala dinner.

Willie Smith’s co-owner Sam Reid said winning the award validates the huge investment that the team has put into developing its ciders, its fourth-generation apple orchards and The Apple Shed cellar door in Grove, Tasmania.

“Our French Blend Limited Release Cider, to be formally launched tomorrow at The Australian Cider Festival in Melbourne, reflects the maturing market for cider in Australia with people ready to explore more complex varieties of craft cider and ciders made with cider apples”, said Mr Reid [on Friday].

L-R Willie Smith’s cider maker Dr Tim Jones and founder Sam Reid show off their winning cider – Photo courtesy Hugh McKellar of Real Cider Reviews

Judges awarded the product a gold medal for its interesting, complex and layered flavour with good tannins and a full body – exactly what they were looking for in a medium sweet, traditional cider.

Four other gold medals were awarded to LOBO Cider and Jachmann Apple Co from South Australia, Small Acres Cyder from New South Wales and Daylesford Cider from Victoria.

Chief Steward Nyall Condon said it was amazing to see over 200 entries in the competition, and the judging panel was equally impressed with the high calibre of ciders on show.

“Appreciation of cider in Australia is shifting in the direction we were hoping with more complex, drier styles being produced,” Mr Condon said.

“Our show is going from strength to strength and Cider Australia is proud to be leading the way in cider judging, encouraging quality and product innovation and educating producers and consumers about this fine beverage.”

WINNERS LIST – 2016 AUSTRALIAN CIDER AWARDS

TROPHIES Best Cider: Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider Best Perry: Small Acres Cyder 2013 Sparkling Perry Best Australian Cider or Perry: Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider Best International Cider or Perry: Aspall Draught Best in Show: Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider

BEST IN CLASS Class 1A New World Dry Cider: Pagan Cider, Wood-Aged Apple Class 1B Traditional Dry Cider: LOBO Cider, LOBO Norman Class 2A New World Medium Cider: Jachmann Apple Co, Jachmann Pink Lady Apple Cider Class 2B Traditional Medium Cider: Willie Smith’s, Willie Smiths French Blend Limited Release Cider Class 3A New World Sweet Cider: equal Best in Class: Hillbilly Cider, Hillbilly Sweet Julie; Mock Orchards, Mock Red Hill Sweet Cider; and Sydney Brewery, Sydney Cider Class 3B Traditional Sweet Cider: Daylesford Cider, Sweet Coppin 2016 Class 4A/B Method Traditional Cider (disgorged): equal Best in Class: Brady’s Lookout Cider, Brady’s Lookout Cider Premium Cuvee; Flying Brick Cider Co, Flying Brick MC Cider; and Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2015 Sparkling Class 5A New World Dry Perry: equal Best in Class: Flying Brick Cider Co, Flying Brick Pear Cider; LOBO Cider, LOBO Dry Pear Class 5B Traditional Dry Perry: No entries Class 6A New World Medium Perry (1.004-1.019 SG): equal Best in Class: Hillbilly Cider, Hillbilly Pear Cider; and The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Pear Class 6B Traditional Medium Perry: McCashins Brewery, Saxton Pear Cider Class 7A New World Sweet Perry: Spreyton Cider Co, Spreyton Pear Cider Class 7B Traditional Sweet Perry: no entries Class 8A/B Method Traditional Perry (disgorged): Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2013 Sparkling Perry Class 9 Speciality/Experimental Cider or Perry: The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Hop Edition Class 10 Apple and Pear Blends: The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Pear Apple Blend Class 11 Cider or Perry with Fruit: The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Apple Ginger Hybrid Series Class 12 Ice Cider or Perry: Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2015 Pomona Ice Class 13 Pommeau: Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau Class 14 Apple or Pear Spirit: LOBO Cider, LOBO Apfel