THE COTSWOLD CIDER COMPANY LTD

What THE COTSWOLD CIDER COMPANY LTD does

The Cotswold Cider Company Ltd is a UK private limited company founded by Rory Souter, producing traditional craft cider from an old Oxfordshire water mill at 54 Coleshill, SN6 7PT. The company ferments 100% English cider apple juice — using named bitter-sharp and bittersweet varieties including Browns, Michelin, Dabinett, Foxwhelp, Vilberie, and Yarlington Mill — at ambient temperatures over winter, followed by a minimum six-month aging period before release. The product portfolio spans a sparkling Classic Range (Cotswold Prime med/dry 4.6%, No Brainer dry 4.8%, Sweet Cheeks blush 4%, Phantom Of The Orchard lo-alc 1%), a Still Range in bag-in-box and carton formats (No Brainer Classic 6%, Yellow Hammer 6%, Cotswold Golden 4.5%, She Devil 4.3%, Muscle Mary raspberry 4%), a She Devil 330ml canned format, mixed packs, gift packs, and an Apple Cider Vinegar hip-flask. The business has won a 2024 International Cider Challenge Trophy in the Tannin Led Cider class and consecutive Great Taste One-Star awards in 2023 and 2024.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer sales are executed through a Shopify storefront selling bottles, cans, bag-in-box, mixed packs, and merchandise to UK consumers, with free shipping on orders over £70. Trade sales target on-trade craft venues (Brewdog Bars, Hawksmoor Group, Dishoom, BrewHouse and Kitchen) and premium retail (Harvey Nichols) via direct sales, supported by a national and regional wholesaler network and multiple formats including kegs, bag-in-box, cans, and bottles. Pricing is unit-based in pounds sterling inclusive of VAT, with products spanning £15.50 for an entry 4-bottle case up to £64-£72 for 20-litre bag-in-box formats, and a 4-bottle minimum on online cider orders.

The business is founder-owned and bootstrapped with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and headcount in the 1-10 range. Operations are UK-only, including UK mainland, Scottish Highlands, Islands, and Northern Ireland with additional shipping fees. The company holds VAT registration (195157481) and Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme (XSAW00000104109) credentials, and positions itself explicitly against mass-market concentrate-based "fake" cider through a "Real vs Fake" educational narrative.

Name

THE COTSWOLD CIDER COMPANY LTD

Legal name

The Cotswold Cider Company Ltd

Website

https://cotswoldciderco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cotswold Cider Company Ltd is a UK craft cider producer founded by Rory Souter, fermenting 100% English cider apple juice at its Oxfordshire water mill. It sells a portfolio of traditional ciders, bag-in-box, cans, and ACV via DTC e-commerce, on-trade venues, and UK wholesalers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Cider

NAICS

Breweries (31212)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Cider & Perry Production (AFAFAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cider & Perry Producers & Brands (CRADAIAE), Alcohol-Free & Low-Alcohol Beer/Wine/Spirits Production (AFAFAAAJ), Cideries & Meadery Tasting Rooms (THAFALAI)

Keywords

• Craft apple cider
• Real cider production
• English cider apples
• Bag-in-box cider
• On-trade cider supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Coleshill

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Direct-to-consumer online sales through Shopify storefront; sells bottles, cans, bag-in-box formats, and mixed packs to individual customers across the UK; free shipping on orders over £70

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Cotswold Cider Company produces and sells craft apple ciders and apple cider vinegar made from 100% English cider apple juice, fermented at ambient temperatures and aged for at least six months. The range spans a sparkling Classic line in bottles and cans (Cotswold Prime, No Brainer, Sweet Cheeks, Phantom Of The Orchard Lo-Alc), a Still line in 1L/2L cartons and 20L bag-in-box (No Brainer Classic, Yellow Hammer, Cotswold Golden, She Devil, Muscle Mary), mixed/gift packs, and a hip-flask ACV, sold via a Shopify DTC storefront and supplied to UK on-trade venues and distributors.

Product overview

The Cotswold Cider Company produces a portfolio of ciders under the 'Real Good Cider' brand, positioning themselves against 'fake' ciders made from concentrate. Their product range includes the Cotswold Classic Range of sparkling ciders (Cotswold Prime, No Brainer, Sweet Cheeks, Phantom Of The Orchard) available in bottles and cans, alongside a Still Ciders range in bag-in-box formats (No Brainer Classic, Yellow Hammer, Cotswold Golden, She Devil, Muscle Mary). The company emphasizes using 100% English cider apple juice fermented at ambient temperatures and aged for extended periods. They also offer mixed packs, gift packs, Apple Cider Vinegar, and merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cotswold Prime Cider Classic medium/dry sparkling cider at 4.6% ABV with soft spice, baked apple notes, and fine tannin bite; awarded a Trophy in the Tannin Led Cider class at the International Cider Challenge 2024 and a One-Star Great Taste Award 2024. Intended for direct consumers, gifting, and on-trade drinks lists.
• No Brainer Bold, dry, cloudy, sparkling session cider at 4.8% ABV with smooth fresh apple mouth, bittersweet tannin kick and lasting orchard fruit layers; One-Star winner at Fine Food Great Taste Awards 2023. Targeted at craft cider enthusiasts and on-trade.
• Sweet Cheeks Delicate blush cider at 4% ABV with elderberry and blackberry, blending blackberry apple mouth with restrained elderberry sharpness over a smooth bittersweet apple hold. Positioned as a fruit-led craft cider for consumers and venues.
• Phantom Of The Orchard Low-alcohol (Lo-Alc) cider at 1% ABV offering a craft real-cider alternative in the low/no alcohol category for consumers seeking lower-abv options.
• No Brainer Classic Big bittersweet dry still cider at 6% ABV with deep tannic flavour, available in 20L bag-in-box format; aimed at on-trade venues and consumers preferring a higher-abv dry still pour.
• Yellow Hammer Medium, cloudy, still cider at 6% ABV with rich, fruity apple character and tannic bite, sold in 1L/2L cartons and 20L bag-in-box; intended for parties, pubs, and cider lovers.
• Cotswold Golden Smooth, medium-dry still cider at 4.5% ABV with a rich, rustic character, sold in 20L bag-in-box, 1L and 2L plastic cartons; positioned as a sessionable craft still cider for pubs and home consumers.
• She Devil Pure apple, cloudy, sassy sweet cider at 4.3% ABV available in 20L bag-in-box; targeted at consumers and venues seeking a sweeter real-cider option.
• Muscle Mary Medium raspberry still cider at 4% ABV with raspberry sweetness over a balanced bittersweet base; sold in 20L bag-in-box and 1L/2L plastic cartons for parties, pubs, and cider lovers.
• Still Cider Packs (Heritage Range) Heritage Range mixed pack containing one 1L or 2L of each of No Brainer Classic (dry 6%), Yellow Hammer (medium 6%), Muscle Mary (raspberry 4%), and Horn Blower (chai-spice 4%) still ciders; targeted at gifting and discovery.
• Mixed Bottle Packs Mixed bottle packs in 500ml (4 each of Cotswold Prime, No Brainer, Sweet Cheeks) or 330ml (4 each of No Brainer, Sweet Cheeks, Phantom) formats, enabling consumers to sample multiple Classic Range ciders.
• Mixed Gift Pack Gift pack of 4 x 500ml bottles (2x Cotswold Prime med/dry 4.6%, 1x No Brainer dry 4.8%, 1x Sweet Cheeks medium blush 4%) with optional personalized gift note; aimed at gifting and consumer occasions.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Hip Flask Apple cider vinegar by-product packaged in a 200ml hip-flask format, extending the producer's real-cider apple juice range into the ACV category for direct consumer purchase.
• She Devil Pure Apple Cider (330ml Can) Pure apple cloudy sparkling cider at 4.3% ABV in 330ml cans, fermented with 100% cider apples at ambient temperature with long in-tank maturation; offers a canned format for on-the-go and on-trade consumers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trophy in 'Tannin Led Cider' Class at International Cider Challenge 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Brewdog BarscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-trade supply relationship; Brewdog Bars is one of the named trade customers for Cotswold Cider Co's products

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Thatchers Cider: Family-owned Somerset craft cider maker with its own orchards, national UK distribution across on-trade and grocery, and a multi-SKU portfolio spanning still and sparkling ciders — directly comparable UK craft competitor.
• Sandford Orchards: Devon-based independent craft cider producer with traditional methods, English apples, and presence in independent on-trade and retail — comparable craft/premium UK positioning.
• Sheppy's Cider: Somerset family-run craft cidermaker with own orchards, traditional production and broad UK distribution across on-trade, farm shop and online — directly comparable craft cider peer.
• Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Co: Herefordshire specialist craft cider and perry maker with own orchards, traditional methods, and strong on-trade following in the real-cider community — closely comparable artisanal positioning.
• Aspall Cyder: Suffolk-based premium craft cider producer with a long heritage, English apple focus and broad on-trade and retail distribution — a closely comparable craft/premium positioning to Cotswold Cider Co.
• Oliver's Cider: Herefordshire traditional cider producer focused on 100% juice, single-varietal and traditional methods, sold through farm shop and select on-trade — comparable artisanal craft positioning.
• Dunkertons Cider: Premium organic craft cidermaker based in Herefordshire, family-run with on-trade and direct sales — comparable size, premium positioning, and traditional English apple focus.
• H. Westons & Sons (Weston's Cider): Herefordshire-based traditional cider producer with deep heritage, English apple sourcing, and significant on-trade and grocery presence — comparable on craft positioning, tradition, and orchard-to-bottle model.

Broad incumbents

• Bulmers (HEINEKEN): Largest UK mainstream cider brand owned by HEINEKEN; competes across mainstream and increasingly premium tiers, providing the broad-incumbent benchmark for category pricing and trade presence.
• Magners (C&C Group): Major Irish-origin premium-irish-cider brand distributed across UK on-trade and grocery — relevant broad incumbent showing how premium-adjacent cider brands scale nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CotswoldCiderCompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/cotswoldciderco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-cotswold-cider-company-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE COTSWOLD CIDER COMPANY LTD