Kuhnhenn Brewing Company Orange Blossom

**Aroma:** “Nice honey up front with ap- ples, some cinnamon, vanilla, spice, and a bit of alcohol warming. Like brandy apply pie, it’s bready, crackery, sugary, spiced vanilla cookie over moderately perfumy alcohol. Big bourbon character with vanilla and molasses.” **Flavor:** “Apples up front with graham crackers, vanilla, nutmeg, wood tannins, and a touch of marshmallow sweetness leads to a slightly astringent, off-dry finish. Nice body and moderate acidity accented by light chocolate notes with a touch of leather (in a good way). The bourbon is ever-present, pushing any honey character to the background.” **Overall:** “It’s a bit drier than aroma suggests, with a hot alcohol flavor. Wood and bourbon flavors dominate—this is like drinking a delightful pastry. Despite the high alcohol content, the the sweet pie spices cover it beautifully. It’s not a mead for traditionalists, but anyone who enjoys barrel-aged beer will get it.”

**Aroma:** “Black currant, cherry, light rasp- berry, and touch of blackberry braced by a soft spicy-herbal tinge and touch of citrus honey. Background aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon, and maybe a hint of clove. Rich, full blueberry-skin and leftover-juice with soft alcohol undercurrent slowly builds to a light perfume.” **Flavor:** “Huge dark fruits—cherry, blackberry, black currant, raspberry, and light plum, with a light acidity and moderately strong sweetness. Moderate tannic bite balances the sweetness. Touch of black pepper and hints of spice. Tart mixed berry is dry at first then quickly becomes juicy blue-black, tannic, with a spicy-herbal note that covers the warming alcohol.” **Overall:** “This is a big moderately sweet fruit mead with tons of fruit flavor and aroma underpinned by a pleasant tannin and acid balance. The more you drink it the more fun flavors and hidden dimensions you discover. It’s flavorful, but strong, sweet, and better suited to sharing with friends.

**Aroma:** “Nice honey aroma up front (grapes and orange and sweet floral aroma), light tannins, light alcohol, very light fruity berries (raspberries, blackberries), light jasmine flowers, light honey sweetness, a hint of sage. Sweet honey is lightly caramelly and slightly raw-honey, light fruity esters, slightly musky citrus notes, soft alcohol, and light carbonics.” **Flavor:** Soft honey up front with light pear and melon esters. Grape and orange and lemon, with a soft acidic balance. Light sweetness moves to puckering mouthfeel that lingers. Light carbonation helps the balance. Refreshing, but a bit tart. Light earthy floral, touch of mold, citrus, raspberries, and a touch of light earthiness in the aftertaste. Lingering moderate sweetness and medium-high acid. Honey lingers into the finish.” **Overall:** “Nice mead that reminds me of dry lemonade. The alcohol and slight mustiness are a bit detracting, but the acidity and the nice citrus is a good balance. Fruity, citrusy honey. With less tartness and smoother alcohol, this would be a stronger contender.”