Duke of Devonshire was raised at Holker Hall in Cumbria, the estate of the Duke of Devonshire in the 19th century. It is not a particularly attractive apple, its beauty is in its flavour.
Duke of Devonshire is a russeted apple, more in the fruity style of Ashmead's Kernel than the sweeter style of Egremont Russet. Although it has never achieved mainstream success, it remains quietly popular amongst enthusiasts who appreciate russets, and like most russet apples it is easy to grow and has good natural disease resistance.
Russet apples, particularly those with strong flavours, are also increasingly sought out by cider enthusiasts.
The pedigree of Duke of Devonshire is unknown, but in appearance and flavour there is clearly some relation to Ashmead's Kernel, a much older russet variety that was well known in England at the time Duke of Devonshire was raised.
Duke of Devonshire apple