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Juniper Mountain Honey Wine
Boulder, Colorado
BJCP Category: 26A Metheglin, Semi-sweet/Still/Standard-strength
Redstone Meadery <visit site>
42
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[expand]Total Score: 42/50
A pleasure to drink, primarily as a slow sipping mead. This mead has aged very well over its two-and-a-half-year lifetime, mellowing to well-balanced and appealing as an aperitif. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Fragrant spicy, herbal aroma from juniper is dominant up front, coming through as licorice and anise—reminds me somewhat of Absinthe. Sweet, honey aroma is very well presented with notes of orange blossoms. There are hints of a buttery, caramel character. This is a very pleasant and complex aroma. (8/10)
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Appearance: Clear with some dull haze. Still, as expected. Definite meniscus with long-lasting legs, indicating the strength of this mead. Golden yellow color has a tinge of green; a byproduct of the juniper? (4/6)
Flavor: Wonderful rich expression of sweet, orange-blossom honey. Not cloying but on the sweet end of semi-sweet. Very well balanced with both light acidity and fine tannin astringency aiding in mouthfeel. Juniper adds bright, spicy/herbal notes of anise and licorice. It’s not a piney, evergreen or gin-like character as one might expect from the source. The flavor coordinates well with the honey sweetness. Finishes sweeter than semi-sweet would indicate. Honey is really evident mid-palate, herb is dominant up front while acidity seems to linger in the finish. (21/24)
Overall Impression: A pleasure to drink, primarily as a slow sipping mead. This mead has aged very well over its two-and-a-half-year lifetime, mellowing to well-balanced and appealing as an aperitif, to be enjoyed with a pear torte for dessert, or just on its own because you like excellent mead. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
The orange blossom honey flavors are dominant and lovely; balanced toward the sweet side, with an acidity that keeps the finish from being cloying. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Pronounced honey sweetness, but not really identifiable as a variety. Subdued orangey citrusy note comes forward, then fades to earthy as the beverage warms a bit. (7/10)
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Appearance: Straw with a hint of chartreuse. Clear, not brilliant. Still. “Legs” left on the sides of the glass. (6/6)
Flavor: Honey sweetness is like a dip in a honey pot; citrus type acidity and low-level tannic expression balances, but not much flavor of juniper berries. Subtle orange blossom flavor with note of sherry in the finish comes across like orange hopscotch ice cream or two-tone bars. Alcohol character is balanced, not hot. Still, full mouthfeel. Finish clean and sweet, not cloying or sticky. The honey character is delicious, but earthy expression of juniper berries is barely detectible. (18/24)
Overall Impression: The orange blossom honey flavors are dominant and lovely; balanced toward the sweet side, with an acidity that keeps the finish from being cloying. Stronger juniper berry might detract from the honey expression. Perhaps this was more prevalent when the beverage was younger, and since it is listed as an ingredient, I expect more. The subtle earthy character brings to mind a balmy spring evening, a gentle breeze with a hint of chill that carries the aromas of freshly turned soil and a newly mowed lawn. A lovely after dinner nip. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 44/50
This is an excellent mead that is dangerously drinkable. The flavors seem to evolve with each sip, and the balance among honey, acidity and tannins is superb. more >
[close]Total Score: 44/50
Aroma: Sweet honey aroma with distinctive orange blossom notes. This honey smells very fresh without any noticeable oxidation or mustiness. Juniper is present but subtle, leaving an emphasis on the honey. The fermentation character is neutral, with modest ethanol and very low levels of higher alcohols. (8/10)
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Appearance: Light straw color, and clarity is nearly brilliant. There is not even a wisp of carbonation. It leaves a series of alcohol legs when swirled in the glass. (6/6)
Flavor: This is a complex mead with several layers of flavors. The honey comes through initially with orange and citrus notes, then the juniper berries emerge and become much bolder than I expected from the aroma. The combination of juniper and alcohol recalls gin and perhaps even tonic had this been carbonated. The finish has noticeable tannins and a little astringency from the alcohol and berries, but it is not unpleasant and helps balance the sweetness from the residual sugars. (21/24)
Overall Impression: This is an excellent mead that is dangerously drinkable. The flavors seem to evolve with each sip, and the balance among honey, acidity and tannins is superb. The finish is on the dry side of semi-sweet, but that is probably the right call. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 43/50
Honey quality and age character are superb. Juniper is subtle and adds a great background character, as it should be. Honestly, I was a bit scared of the name but it’s really very good. more >
[close]Total Score: 43/50
Aroma: Strong honey nose with distinctive orange blossom notes. Moderate sweetness. Nice floral qualities. Nothing off. Not much juniper (good...), but has an extra layer of complexity. Moderate alcohol but not hot. Wonderful honey expression. A touch waxy. (9/10)
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Appearance: Mostly clear but has a little haze. Still. Deep straw color; not quite yellow. (5/6)
Flavor: High honey flavor—orange blossom and other, slightly dusty honey flavor (presumably Desert Blossom). Moderate sweetness with off-dry finish and moderately high acidity. Juniper must be adding a rounded flavor complexity since it isn’t overtly identifiable, but the mead has more than the stated simple honey flavors. Alcohol is warming but not hot. The acidity makes the finish a bit short but the honey flavor lingers. Medium body and medium-low tannin. (20/24)
Overall Impression: Honey quality and age character are superb. Juniper is subtle and adds a great background character, as it should be. Honestly, I was a bit scared of the name but it’s really very good. I couldn’t imagine a gin-like mead but this comes off as a complex varietal mead with a great honey presence. Would be a great aperitif since it has a high acidity level and moderate sweetness, sort of like a German Riesling. (9/10)
