Vintage Fruity Cider
 
1800’s Bewley Down, Devon-Somerset  Border, UK
 
Self-Sterile (needs a pollinator)
 
Late Harvester – November
 
An apple of confusing origin. The botanist of old say that this is an apple called the Billy Down Pippin from just outside Axminster on Bewley Down on the Devonshire side of the border. But the is also strong claims that a gentlemen called John Toucher on Bewley Down on the somerset side.  The heated debates in the local inns became so fierce that scion material was sent to be laboratory tested to see which was genetically stronger, the Billy Down or the Crimson King. The results finally came back that low & behold modern DNA testing has shown us that Billy Down & Crimson King are in fact the one & the same! Since then you will be comforted to know that indeed a truce has been formed.
 
The large scarlet apples produce an acidic fruity juice with virtually no astringency creating first rate cider. Although in its immature stages the tree may seem whippy & light to produce, as soon as it reaches its stride it becomes so prolific that it’s almost groaning under the weight of the apples.
 
As with most cider apples, Billy Down is very vigorous & such would struggle in a smaller garden. Nonetheless this apple tree is superb in areas of high humidity & rainfall, with excellent resistance to mildew, scab & canker making it perfect for the western or northern parts of British Isles.