LUDLOW Distillery has partnered with the Museum of Cider in Hereford to bottle and release an exceptionally rare cider brandy from the former King Offa Distillery — a spirit matured for over 30 years and deeply rooted in Herefordshire’s cider-making heritage.
The King Offa Distillery was founded in 1984 by Bertram Bulmer, following a determined battle with HMRC to secure the first modern licence to distil cider brandy in England. At a time when cider brandy production had disappeared, King Offa represented a revival of a lost tradition. When the distillery closed in the early 1990s, the remaining stocks belonged the Museum of Cider, where they have been preserved ever since.
The collaboration brings together the Museum of Cider’s long-term stewardship of these historic spirits and Ludlow Distillery’s experience in cider brandy production and distribution. Ludlow Distillery has been producing cider brandy since 2008, using traditional methods on the same wood-fired still that continues to be used today, and works closely with artisan cider makers across the region. The distillery also produces eau de vie, eau de vieux and pommeau-style aperitifs rooted in local cider culture.
King Offa Cider Brandy is bottled at 42% ABV and is now available in both 50cl and 20cl formats, making this rare spirit accessible both to collectors and to those discovering cider brandy for the first time. Releases are being carefully managed to respect the age, character and heritage of the spirit.
Founder and Master Distiller at Ludlow Distillery, Shaun Ward, said: “This spirit stopped me in my tracks the first time I tasted it back in 1998. It’s alive with character. You can feel the orchard, the patience, and the hands that made it all those years ago at the King Offa Distillery.
Cider brandy has been part of Ludlow Distillery’s story since 2008, and it’s something we care deeply about. Working with the Museum of Cider to bring this brandy into bottle has been a real privilege. Our job has simply been to listen to the spirit, carefully bottle and make sure it can get into the hands of some very eager customers.”
Director of the Museum of Cider, Elizabeth Pimblett said: “The Museum of Cider has cared for the spirits of the former King Offa Distillery for many years, and it is wonderful to see them being shared more widely once again. Working with Ludlow Distillery allows us to bring these remarkable liquids to the public in a way that respects their history and craftsmanship, while helping support the Museum’s work for future generations.”
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