New Northern Irish ciders now the toast of Edinburgh

Mac Ivors, the recently launched Northern Irish cider, has won its first business in Britain. The company, based in Armagh in Ireland's orchard county, is now supplying its two premium bottled ciders - Traditional Dry and Medium - to the Shilling Group, one of the leading pub chains in Scotland.

Mac Ivors Medium is a 4.5% ABV drink and Mac Ivors Traditional Dry, a 5.6% ABV variety, has been developed by cider maker Greg MacNeice to offer a richly flavoured and aromatic alternative to drinkers of commercial beers and ciders.

The company's first business in Britain was announced by Mr MacNeice, who developed the new ciders after four years of market research in the UK, France and the US. The ciders are made from apples sourced from the family's extensive orchards in Armagh.

"We secured the deal to supply Shilling Group in Edinburgh through a longstanding contact in the business. It's tremendously encouraging to secure a breakthrough in Britain just a few months after the market launch of our new cider," says Mr MacNeice. "It provides us with a tremendous platform for further business in Britain especially with pubs and restaurants which have a strong focus on genuine artisan products.

"We've been growing apples for over 150 years in this part of Armagh. Managing more than 100 acres of orchard leaves us well placed to source the best apples from which to make our cider.

"I've also drawn on experience gained from long established cider producers in Brittany and Normandy and from a Cider Academy to create two artisan products that retain the juicy taste and aromas of Armagh apples.

"The cider is cold pressed and slow fermented over eight months to ensure outstanding flavours that customers are coming to appreciate. We use 100 per cent fresh-pressed apple juice, natural yeasts and light carbonation to preserve the distinctive aroma of the fruit.

"They do not contain any concentrates, artificial flavourings or colourings and up to 14 different varieties of apples, including Armagh Bramleys, which now have European Protected Geographic Indicator (PGI) status, are used in the process.

"Our medium cider is gold in colour from predominantly sweet red apples and is fresh and fruity with a clean, crisp finish. Traditional dry cider is a rich and complex drink made from cider apple varieties with a full body and long dry finish. Both ciders have a number of excellent food pairings."

Mac Ivors Cider, launched at the start of November 2012, is produced in 500ml glass bottles. The Shilling Group, established in 2000, is an acclaimed independent pub operator currently runs eight up-market pubs in Edinburgh including one of the city's best known cocktail bars.