the taunton cider company had produced traditional ciders from 1905 in norton fitzwarren, and became a limited company in 1921. post-world war ii, it bought up local competitors, and from the 1950s started developing pasteurised sparkling ciders, which allowed them to distribute product across the united kingdom. the first blackthorn-branded ciders were produced from the 1960s onwards, and became the company's main product line. in 1996 drinks company matthew clark plc, the uk division of constellation brands inc., acquired taunton cider and all of its associated brands for £256 million.