The name "Old Rascal" stems from a charming, almost mischievous, piece of folklore within Thatchers Cider , a family-owned business established in 1904. Legend holds that a wily fox would creep into the farm’s cider store nightly to steal supplies, prompting the familiar refrain, "the old rascal's been at it again". This story is immortalized on the bottle label, which features the fox and warns "beware the rascal," perfectly bridging the gap between brand marketing and local lore.
It is crafted using a blend of bittersweet apples, notably Dabinett for a rich body, Redstreak for peppery, spicy notes, and Tremlett’s for tannins.
Thatchers Old Rascal—now branded simply as Thatchers Rascal
Unlike some of Thatchers’ lighter, highly carbonated offerings (like Gold), Rascal is designed to be a more robust experience.
The result is a deep amber, clear cider that is medium-dry to medium-sweet, featuring a smooth, fruity, and slightly tannic finish rather than an overly sweet or synthetic aftertaste.
—represents a crucial intersection of traditional Somerset cidermaking and modern branding. As a 4.5% ABV medium-dry cider, it has earned a loyal following by delivering a full-bodied, authentic apple flavour that sets it apart from more mainstream, overly-sweet options. For consumers looking to purchase a craft-focused yet accessible cider, understanding the heritage and characteristics of this specific "rascal" is worthwhile.
The name "Old Rascal" stems from a charming, almost mischievous, piece of folklore within Thatchers Cider , a family-owned business established in 1904. Legend holds that a wily fox would creep into the farm’s cider store nightly to steal supplies, prompting the familiar refrain, "the old rascal's been at it again". This story is immortalized on the bottle label, which features the fox and warns "beware the rascal," perfectly bridging the gap between brand marketing and local lore.
It is crafted using a blend of bittersweet apples, notably Dabinett for a rich body, Redstreak for peppery, spicy notes, and Tremlett’s for tannins.
Thatchers Old Rascal—now branded simply as Thatchers Rascal
Unlike some of Thatchers’ lighter, highly carbonated offerings (like Gold), Rascal is designed to be a more robust experience.
The result is a deep amber, clear cider that is medium-dry to medium-sweet, featuring a smooth, fruity, and slightly tannic finish rather than an overly sweet or synthetic aftertaste.
—represents a crucial intersection of traditional Somerset cidermaking and modern branding. As a 4.5% ABV medium-dry cider, it has earned a loyal following by delivering a full-bodied, authentic apple flavour that sets it apart from more mainstream, overly-sweet options. For consumers looking to purchase a craft-focused yet accessible cider, understanding the heritage and characteristics of this specific "rascal" is worthwhile.
