Winner – SXOLLIE Cider
In as established an alcohol category as cider, launching a new brand is a brave move – trying to stand out in a crowded field is even braver. SXOLLIE – pronounced ‘skollie‘ – caught the judge’s eye for doing just that.
Debuting in South Africa nine years ago, Sxollie expanded to the UK in 2017 and is now based in London. The company is B Corp certified and is proud of its scoring of 92.7, ahead of the 80-point pass mark. The cider is made solely from eating apples, meaning no added sugar is required. Indeed, founder Laura Clacey believes apples are the most environmentally-friendly raw ingredient from which to make alcohol. “The average cider is made up of 7%-to-10% added sugar,” she claims. “The sugar supply chain is notoriously opaque, and some is even sourced from countries with serious modern slavery and human rights concerns.”
In the UK, SXOLLIE has removed 48 tonnes of sugar from the market, equating to 300 tonnes of CO2 “if you account for the supply chain and production”.
The judges were also taken with the use of ‘wonky’ apples that are not heading to supermarkets. In 2023, almost 900 tonnes of apples were diverted from waste streams by SXOLLIE.
“We believe in leaving nature to do its work, so we only use one ingredient to make SXOLLIE. We also prioritise ethical sourcing and transparency in our supply chain, conducting regular reviews of our suppliers to ensure they all meet our high expectations of environmental care.”
Our judges said: “The no-added sugar USP is a major societal benefit that also adds value from a health & wellness perspective for consumers.”
