Maurice Gilbert and the team at Ballyhoura Apple Farm in Kilfinane are well used to getting awards for their range of apple juices and syrups but even they were surprised and delighted with the latest successes at the Great Taste Awards 2021.
Multi award winners, the Ballyhoura Apple Farm this time got the nod with a prestigious three star accolade for its glazing syrup and a one star award for the market leading apple cider vinegar.

Ray D’Arcy Show
And, if that wasn’t positive accreditation enough, the owner of Ballyhoura Apple Farm, Maurice Gilbert, was then featured on the RTE Radio One Ray D’Arcy show further showcasing the award winning products.
Ray was glowing in his praise of the Ballyhoura Apple Farm products and their many different uses.

Judges’ comments
The comments of adjudicators, which come on foot of ‘blind tasting’ were even more illuminating:

Glazing Syrup
‘A thin-textured syrup with a mulled-spice flavour.
A complex, sweet flavour with the promised tones of apples, spices, and apple cider vinegar paired with spice.
This flavour is alluring and multi-layered and we found it surprising and delightful. A really beautiful product.’

Apple Cider Vinegar
“A beautiful balance of apple with the gentle acidity of the apple cider vinegar. The sweetness is spot on and the addition of gentle clove is well judged. The clever use of the cider vinegar to rein in the sweetness is to be congratulated. Inspired. Outstanding deliciousness.
“We really enjoyed the colour and thought that the vinegar had a good body to it with a depth of flavour and a strong note of apple. We felt the vinegar gave off the vibe of an artisan product, a great selling point.’ It was, all in all, again positive vindication of the Ballyhoura Apple Farm products which continue to grow as market leaders on supermarket and shop shelves throughout Ireland.”