 boboski (1095), USA
Jan 3, 2008
Dimlit oranges poke out from beneath an oily looking deep golden body. Miniscule legs trickle out of sheets of honey after a gentle swirl. The body is translucent but looks like it’s chill-hazed from afar. Spice, interpreted as peppers and grape mildew, spills out of the glass as it’s drawn to the nose. Honey is medium-high in intensity, a spongey ball of citrus intertwined, including notes of orange blossom water, orange pith and grapefruit with powdered sugar. The nose is one of the best I’ve encountered in mead, where all parts make an equal rush for the exit, spice never overtaking honey sweetness, and vice versa. What would likely be interpreted by many as a neutral foray into Pyment is an exceptionally balanced masterpiece, thus far. Grape notes introduce botrysis, a mustiness that lends depth to an already beautiful country-themed outpouring of honey and lush greenery in the form of vines and juniper essence. It’s been so long since I have encountered mead that was this interesting. What a marvelous introduction to mead from a brewer that obviously can lean in more than one direction in the world of fermented beverages. Sugars, both fermented and not, comprise the remainder of the aroma. The flavor is dense honey, with a glimmer of sweetness under a medium-dry body. Grapeskin are very evident in each sip; still a light mustiness encroaching. Multiple additions of various fruits with varying degrees of tartness join in, including apples and peach and pear, the nectar stirring the honey without disturbing a pleasing low level of apparent acidity. Alcohol is spiked with ferocity, but not a detractor of a given quaff due to it’s late-warming-assault. Pepperiness is thorough and relentless, but spicy honey works well with grape notes and resulting mustiness. The bottom line: this is marvelously complex. The finish is balanced and never veers from the predirected course of refreshment and spicy tangents without any flaws. Honey becomes the sole focal point at the latest notable point of each sip, entracing the palate with spicy velvet and microbursts of tannins. Awesomely intricate, immensely drinkable and thoroughly enjoyable.
heemer77 (3782), Savannah, Missouri, USA
Jun 25, 2008 Thanks for sharing, iowaherkeye. The body was medium bronze. A sweet aroma was floral with oak and honey. Plenty of booze were also apparent in the nose. The taste was nasty plastic with some wood. The honey is understated with some weird leather. This gets fairly boozy as it warms up. I wanted to like this one more, but this has some rough edges that hopefully will smooth out with age.
pepsican (765), the beer wastelands of, Iowa, USA
Jun 25, 2008 Thanks joeyiowacitysuckseye for breaking this out just for me being like "oh yeah that is something I’d like to see opened." Orange gold pour with no head/bubbles. Lots of honey and flower in the aroma. Flavor has honey, flowers, oak, grapes, and a bit of spice (pepper?). Finishes a bit thin. Not very sweet, or dry, or tart. Just middle of the road.
iowaherkeye (1413), relocated to Santa Rosa f/Iowa, California, USA
Jun 24, 2008 375mL bottle, 2004 from the brewery. Clear honey gold with some legs that did form after a few seconds. Plenty of honey, flower petals, juicy raisins, and white pepper. Flavor was kind of appley with some honey, pepper again, and a fair amount of alcohol in the bone dry finish. My label claims 8.0%, but that makes no sense at all--this is pretty boozy and a mead. Just a hint of tang present, and not terribly sweet, either. Dry finish. Full body. Pretty good mead.
JK (2481), Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Jun 6, 2008 2005. Not as good as the Orange Blossom, but good anyway. Honey and flower aroma that is more complex than the simple flavor, which is on the of a dry mead.
Ibrew2or3 (1756), Safety Harbor, Florida, USA
Jun 6, 2008 Purchased at the brewery. Pours still clear bold. It has a big big aroma of honey and the odd fusel mixed with mild earthiness. The taste starts thick and sweet as sweet honey attacks the senses. Then mild tropical fruitiness shows up as mild tannins arise and dry out the experience. It leaves a nice honey and faint fruitiness behind with a mild warming sensation.
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