02nd June, 2026
One of Somerset’s best known cider-makers has been honoured at the Royal Bath and West Show, not, on this occasion, for the quality of his cider or even his famous cider apple brandy, but for his love of oak, and the barrels from which it is made.
Julian Temperley, of the Somerset Cider Brandy Company at Burrow Hill near Kingsbury Episcopi, was presented with the Coopers’ Award for Craftsmanship in the Cider Industry at the show today (Friday May 29) by Mrs Helena Cooke, Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers.
And the award could hardly have been more appropriate given the boost which Mr Temperley has given to the ancient skills of cooperage through his dedication to oak vats and barrels for storing and maturing the cider and cider apple brandy made on the farm.
In paying tribute to Mr Temperley, the cider afficionado and poet, James Crowden, explained how at least a few, soon to be many, of the 700 barrels in which he matures his cider apple brandy came to be made from Somerset oak.
“Jamie Montgomery, of the award-winning Montgomery’s Cheese family, has been supplying Julian with cider apples for many years, and when a fine old oak tree on his farm had to be felled, Julian leapt at the chance to acquire some of the oak to make barrels.
“But making barrels is no easy business. The oak has to be quarter sawn and then seasoned, and then you need to find a cooper, and they are in very short supply, despite the best efforts of the founders of this award, the Worshipful Company of Coopers. Your best bets are either Yorkshire or Spain!
“What with one thing and another, it has taken 10 years to get to the point where Somerset Cider Brandy is maturing nicely in Somerset oak, the oak contributing compellingly to the unique qualities of Julian’s cider brandy, just as his enthusiasm for oak has contributed so importantly to maintaining the craftsmanship and skills of cooperage.”
