#66 Julian & Matilda Temperley - Somerset Cider Brandy, Craft Distilling Since 1987, PGI, Apples, Agriculture

The Temperley family oversee the Somerset Cider Brandy Company, which became the UK's first independent distillery in living memory when it commenced operations in 1987. Thus, for almost 40 years, the Temperley family have been committed to reviving and preserving England’s traditional apple spirits. They have planted and maintained orchards with over 100 apple varieties, and earned a coveted Protected Geographical Indication for their cider brandy. Matilda handles day‑to‑day operations and looks to the future, while her father Julian draws on decades of craft knowledge and a passion for Somerset’s agricultural heritage.

In this wide‑ranging conversation, we trace the fascinating history of cider brandy in England: how clandestine stills and museum licences paved the way for the Temperleys to become the country’s first licensed craft distillers. We explore the family’s deep connection to their land: planting pear and oak trees for generations yet to come, fostering a "if we don't grow it we don't use it" policy, and championing the unique character of Somerset’s smallholdings. Matilda and Julian explain the strict rules they set to mirror Calvados production, their use of Coffey stills to retain fruit character, and the impact of different casks, from sherry and port to locally coopered Somerset oak.

Along the way we taste through their range, from perfumed eau‑de‑vie to five and ten‑year cider brandys, and the dessert‑style Pomona. We also discuss the romance and pragmatism of running a family farm, and hear how collaborations with whisky makers like Glenfiddich showcase the versatility of cider‑brandy casks. The episode concludes with reflections on the meaning of “craft,” the challenges of taxation and regulation, and what the future holds for Somerset’s apple‑spirit tradition.

00:00 Why Make Cider Brandy? Cider, Heritage, Pride

07:30 Where Does Cider Brandy Fit Into the Cider World

09:15 Origins of Somerset Cider Brandy: Local Tradition, French Tradition

14:22 Licensing a Cider Brandy Distillery in the 1980s - Bertrand Bulmer, Precedent, Customs, Museum Licenses, Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Changing Regulation

21:20 The Importance of Being a Family Business: Building for Future Generations, Planting Pear Trees

25:00 Tasting Apple Eau de Vie, Apple Varieties & Styles

29:10 Comparing Somerset Cider Brandy to Calvados

31:20 Distillation at Somerset Cider Brandy, Continuous Distillation

36:11 Tasting 10 Year Old Somerset Cider Brandy, Cask Management, Somerset Barrels

47:50 Tasting Alchemy, PX Casks, Evaporative Losses and Bottling Strength

53:00 Tasting 20 Year Old Cider Brandy, Partnering with Glenfiddich

58:00 Tasting Pomona & Kingston Black Aperitif

1:02:15 Why Aren’t There More Cider Brandy Distillers? Pride in Somerset, Politics

1:08:45 Somerset vs Herefordshire, Loss of Orchards

1:12:15 The South West of England Cidermakers’ Association

1:14:00 Can Cider Brandy Become a Bigger Category? Applejack

1:23:45 Glastonbury Festival

1:27:35 Tasting Quince Liqueur, Growing Fruit

1:32:10 The Craft Distillery Movement, Business & Passion, Marketing, 101M Views on Instagram

1:45:45 The Prospect of 30 Year Old Cider brandy*, Apple Blossom, Seasons

1:51:28 New Product Development

1:54:45 Comparing 15 Year Old to 20 Year Old

1:59:00 Tasting 2 Year Old Cider Brandy Aged in Somerset Oak

2:03:15 Balancing Romance & Business

https://somersetciderbrandy.com/📷 Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tristanstephenson/📚 I've written quite a few books on spirits and cocktails - https://www.thecuriousbartender.com/