Panizales
First and foremost, for those going to visit this llagar, do not follow Google Maps directions. While you might be able to the llagar that way (at least during the summer months) you do not want to. The default Google maps directions take what is known around here as the camino de vecinos. If you are traveling in an appropriate Asturian villager vehicle (Quad bike, Nissan Terrano, or Suzuki Samurai for instance), then by all means, take the shortcut and enjoy your ride.
For everyone else, here is the actual way to get to the Panizales llagar:
Whether you are coming from the north or the south, take exit 50 from the A-66, and turn towards the Polígono de Gonzalín. When you cross the bridge, turn right onto the MI-1 road. You will now follow this road almost all the way to the llagar. It is approximately 5km, and will take you 10-15 minutes. Possibly a few more minutes given the unfamiliar roads and the twists and turns. Please refer to these downloadable directions.
You may be tempted to follow this sign to the village of Panizales. Do not do this.
The Panizales llagar is in the village of Espinedo, not the village of Panizales. Unless you are looking to have a sight seeing trip of the mountain back roads of Asturias, stick to the MI-1.
The turn to the llagar is not marked. There is no advertising to steer you in the right direction. You will be driving into a small village, with all that entails.
You cannot navigate these last 300 meters in any vehicle larger than a small SUV or crossover. Minivans might be able to make it, if you fold your rear view windows in, but nothing larger is getting through comfortably for the average driver.
History
While technically founded in 1991, Panizales has a longer history. Longer actually than most llagares. When they tapped their first production keg in 1993, the family was celebrating a new chapter in a story already decades old. The village of Espinéu/Espinedo once had as many llagares as it did houses. In the 1860s, when the first mention of a llagar Panizales appears, Espinéu was mad for cider. Every house produced its own and many people worked “down the hill” in Mieres in apple orchards or commercial llagares of the time. Indeed, the grandparents of the owners / managers of Panizales did exactly that in the 1920s, and then went home and made their own cider as well. The 1990s founding of the commercial llagar led to the opening of the restaurant, which is the form you find the llagar in today. The production is low by design. The family has decided to remain a niche local supplier of sidra natural and to expand their ancillary offerings instead. The result is a well-respected llagar, with an almost cult following, particularly for the expressions that are impossible to obtain outside the premises.
Ciders
The following ciders from Panizales have been reviewed here:
Other Offerings
Sidra Panizales makes several products in addition to their two natural ciders. The llagar offers:
- Sidra de Hielo Panizales – an ice cider that is the first of the type produced in Asturias
- Caldea Sidra de Fuego – an aperitif made from apple must
- Casería Brut – a sparkling cider
- Viesca – a vermouth made from apples
- Titán – a cider aged in oak barrels (not currently in production)
- Hera – another distilled beverage, this one with apples and quince (not currently in production)
Awards
Panizales has won the following awards for their natural cider:
- 2019: Gold Medal – Ice Cider – SISGA (Sidra Hielo Panizales)
- 2020: Gold Medal – Still Sweet Cider – SISGA (Sía)
- 2020: Gold Medal – Cider Vermouth – SISGA (Viesk)
- 2020: Gold Medal – Fire Cider – SISGA (Caldea)
Tours
Tours of the facility are available on an ad hoc basis. These should be arranged in advance as the place can be busy at lunch time. Call 985 46 78 15 and ask for Carlos or Tino. In the production facility, they have 10 wooden barrels, 12 fiber barrels, a traditional mechanical press, a double cage hydraulic press and a refrigeration unit.
Espichas
The llagar has a full service restaurant on site. Instead of traditional espichas in the warehouse, they have an espicha space for large parties. A benefit of this is not having to round up 20+ people in order to have a large meal at the llagar.
They are particularly well known for their arroces. These also make good dishes for sharing at the table.
Gallery
- Views of Sidra Panizales
Apples in the parking lot
Entrance
Barrel detail
Barrel
View from the porch
Dining room
light fixture
Espicha space
Security system
