Kuhnhenn Orange Blossom Mead

Brewed by Kuhnhenn Brewing
Style: Mead
Warren, Michigan USA

Objectively speaking: Complex and very perfumey, most satisfying mead.
I like: I don’t attack a 13% mead expecting the dryness I prefer in beer and this delivers. Highly perfumey nutty, flowery (lilac, vanilla laden cake in the oven), even spicy. Very potent. WHile syrupy and chewy, this remains very drinkable, thanks to both its spicy twist and its enticing perfumes. You miss it as soon as you’ve swallowed.
I dislike: I can’t call its alcohol subtle. Playing a bit on the nutty, toasty oxidation notes which I don’t dig so much.

This mead pours very pale, almost water-like in colour, with faint yellow highlights. An orangey, floral bouquet sifts through its straightforward fruity honey flavors. The mouthfeel is classy, not too heavy, not too frail, and the finish is drier than the first half of each sip, making this enjoyable to white wine lovers, I’m sure. Quite simple throughout, this will not be too memorable to me.

Sampled at OSLO/Guerde’s Memorial Day tasting. Shared by OSLO and Guerde. Pours a clear straw mead color with no bubbles or film top. Aroma of sweet honey, a touch of oranges, apples and some sugar. Taste is traditional mead with some citrus character, a touch of butter and apples. Finish is sweet, honey, apples, pears and a sweet sugar aftertaste.

OSLO and Guerde’s Memorial Weekend Tasting, 5/23/08. 2006 vintage. Thanks to OSLO and Guerde for this one! Clear light yellow color. Solid aroma of oranges. Light honey body. Floral and hints of orange. I tend to dislike Orange Blossom honey, but I like this mead.

2002 bottle at the brewery. Pours a light golden/honey yellow with no head. This mead is uncarbonated. Smells lightly sweet of honey and melon. A faint whiff of lightly sweet orange jam, alcohol and vanilla all mix together. I was not prepared for the flavor. Rich does not even say it. Sweet, powerful, pervasive. Honey, almond, marmalade notes on the finish. Full bodied, smooth and delicate on the palate. Some alcohol notable on the finish. Just an incredible experience. I could drink a bottle of this stuff in about 5 minutes.

A very good, unusual mead. Sweet aroma with mandarin oranges. Medium sweet flavor, with some yeast, flowers, sugar, and honey. Its a shame this is no longer available.

In short: A basic flowery/perfumy Mead. Boring.
How: Bottle 375ml. Age unknown. Tasting session with Montreal crew.
The look: Clear light yellow body with no head
In long: Nose is full of flowers, borderline perfumy. Taste is straightforward honey with some light tropical fruits notes and a lot of flowers. Nothing else to say about his. Mouthfeel is what a Mead should feel like. Quebec is crawling with Meads (called Hydromel here) and I find most of them rather boring. If this one was made in Quebec it would just be another run-of-the-mill Quebec Mead but since it is made in USA it is getting high ratings. Or maybe I’m little weird because I don’t care for Meads, baggy pants, rap music and mankind.

Picked up the day after the 2007 Winter Solstice Party. Thanks again Lori. Pours clear water with a tint of straw and no head to speak of. The aroma is big sweet meadness and a bit of esters. I can almost taste the sweet mead through my nose. Yum. The taste begins with very sweet slick thick rich honey goodness along with a bit of floral essence. As midway approaches a drying sensation pulls some moisture out of my mouth creating a moment or two of refreshment. Toward the finish the honey sweetness returns creating a pleasing sweet finish. Double Yum.