Red Fin, named after the smallest shark in the sea, the brand has launched with Fresh Apple and Meloncherry flavours was made available in 50-litre kegs and in 12x330ml bottles from Monday 24 June.
The brand and its ciders have been developed by a team with decades of experience in building successful beer and cider brands, and said it wants to offer licensees a medium dry cider that can be stocked as an added value product, alongside existing offerings, “as it defies current categorisation”.
Red Fin’s tasting notes state the Fresh Apple flavour is: “Light floral and vanilla nose that broadens on the palate to include hints of sweet poached pear and dried apricot with a balancing acidity to finish.”
Trio of founders
And the Meloncherry is said to be: “Ripe watermelon and juicy black cherry. The first sip reveals a balanced blend of sweetness and tartness, with the watermelon providing a refreshing, crisp base. The black cherry adds depth and complexity, offering rich, slightly tangy undertones. Light carbonation enhances the overall freshness, that is perfect for a summer afternoon in the garden.”
The team is made up of Graeme Baldwin, who was the first employee at Orchard Pig and heavily involved in the growth and exit deal for the brand; David Tugwell, who has worked with growth challenger brands, including Estrella Damm and Orchard Pig cider, as well as in the craft beer sector, heading up the sales function at Big Smoke Brew Co and Double-Barrelled Brewery for the past six years.
And the third founding partner is Freddie Rouse, who has worked with several craft breweries establishing them throughout independent pubs and groups across the UK and most recently at Amathus Drinks, helping grow its agency list with other UK wholesalers.
On the right track
Co-founder Tugwell said: “The category has a great range of heritage brands and good-quality ciders but we at Red Fin are looking to add to the choice by offering, an exciting new brand – that better complements the wider range of good-quality beers being sold throughout the on-trade.
“We just think there is additional space for a 100% British apple, quality-focused player like Red Fin to be enjoyed in the moment by a broad range of consumers while offering our trade customers good profit margins.
“We’ve already had an overwhelmingly positive response from wholesalers and some of the country’s leading on trade tastemakers and this shows we are on the right track with our approach.
“We are excited for drinkers to discover Red Fin, and turn the tide back to cider, which we believe is best served chilled out.”
