JR
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In the hills East of Gijón, not far from the Jardín Botánico Atlántico, is Sidra JR. Properly and officially named Sidra Natural JR Altoinfanzón, this llagar is universally referred to by its initials JR. I would call this a medium sized llagar. While not in the realm of the multi-million liters per year group of marco-llagares, their production is higher than many of the llagares I’ve visited. However, they are small enough to still be very informal about visits and explanations. There is no script they are reading from when they explain things to visitors, and their individual passion for cider and apples is patently obvious.
History
JR began as a family affair, making cider for self consumption and for friends. In 1910, Aquilino Rodríguez started making cider, and continued at a small, local scale for many years. The second manager, José Rodríguez (the son of Aquilino) began to sell the cider, first locally, then more widely. (It is for him that the llagar is named). After the death of Fermín Amador Rodríguez Suárez, the last member of the Rodríguez family managing the llagar, a new manager took over. Juan José Tomás Pidal had been working in the llagar, and came from a family long involved in cider.
Ciders
The following ciders from JR have been reviewed here:
Awards
JR has won the following awards for their natural cider:
- 2014 – People’s Choice Award – XXIII Certamen de la Sidra Natural de Gijón
- 2012 – People’s Choice Award – XXIII Certamen de la Sidra Natural de Gijón
- 2010 – Best Cider Made in Asturias – Villaviciosa
- 2010 – People’s Choice Award – XXIII Certamen de la Sidra Natural de Gijón
Tours
While JR is not open to the public in a traditional sense, they are very gracious hosts, and will be happy to show people around who come to visit. It would, of course, be most polite to telephone in advance to make sure there is someone there who can show you around. While JR is not open to the public in a traditional sense, they are very gracious hosts, and will be happy to show people around who come to visit. It would, of course, be most polite to telephone in advance to make sure there is someone there who can show you around.
Gallery
The logo outside the building
Cider crates stacked for delivery
Wooden Fermenting Barrels
