I don’t normally review meads. It is not that I don’t enjoy them. I do. In fact I have tried my hand a couple of times to brew my own at home (fairly unsuccessfully). But Chase at Alley Kat recently raved about Fallentimber Meadery’s Oaked Traditional Mead and insisted that I try it (even offering me a bottle to try – which was VERY lovely of him).

So as a holiday season change of pace, I offer up my thoughts after having cracked open the bottle (which I actually did a few weeks ago, but have been busy writing other stuff to get to this – but don’t worry I took good notes). I believe (but could be wrong) that they don’t actually age it in oak barrels, but instead add oak chips to give the oak character.

It pours a pale, pale straw, verging on neutral. Calling it straw almost seems an exaggeration. Great clarity. It is a still mead, so no head or bubbles. Quite attractive overall. The aroma offers soft flowery sweetness. I pick up some clover, bits of meadowflower and some grassiness. In the background lurks light honey and just an tiny hint of vanilla sweetness.

The taste has a soft, silky start with a fruity, floral character. I get wildflower and some clover and alfalfa. The honey note is sweet and smooth. A very enticing beginning. The flavour sharpens up in the middle offer a light tang to accent the honey. The sweetness is moderate, not cloying, and countered by an earthy background. In the finish a light vanilla oakiness picks in. It is not a Innis and Gunn oak character, much more subtle and blended into the overall flavour. It provides an accent rather than a dominant flavour. If not drinking slowly you might even miss it. It has a moderately sweet finish.

This is a subtle, smooth, gentle mead that has a couple of quiet dimensions giving it complexity and interesting flavour. It reminds me of an oaked chardonnay in a way. I find it well conditioned and cellared. This is a quiet, complex, fascinating beverage.

Maybe I should write mead reviews more often. It is a very pleasant experience.