- Let’s Brew
- Community
- Directories
- Events
- Competitions
- Membership
- Homebrewing Rights
- Zymurgy
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- Grow Your Business
Kurt's Apple Pie
Londonderry, NH
BJCP Category: 26C Open Category Mead
Moonlight Meadery <visit site>
42
-
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Spicy, peppery aroma with light notes of cinnamon and vanilla. The apple esters are very cider-like with notes of sulfur and geraniums. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Bouquet/Aroma: Spicy, peppery aroma with light notes of cinnamon and vanilla. The apple esters are very cider-like with notes of sulfur and geraniums. Honey expression is there as a sweet component of aroma, but low honey aroma. (7/10)
close >
Appearance: Brilliant clarity. Golden yellow color. Delicate legs and very thin meniscus. (6/6)
Flavor: Sweet honey expression. Fruity apple cider esters. Cinnamon is quite evident but vanilla is only adding to overall complexity. Sweetness is a bit cloying; there is some acidity to offset sweetness but additional tartness would better balance the lingering sweetness. There are substantial tannins to balance the mead and lend more body to mouthfeel. Subtle but substantial alcohol present. (19/24)
Overall Impression: A nice, sweet, sipping mead. Greater drinkability would benefit from additional acidity. The impression of apple pie might also include nutmeg in addition to cinnamon for pie aficionados. The geranium notes in flavor and aroma are distracting to me; this is a fault in the processing of cider. Still, this is a mead worth sipping as a digestive or served with a cheese course. I enjoyed mine with some aged cheddar, but then apple pie is often served with a slice of cheddar cheese. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Strong, clear, clean honey with a spicy herbal note. Crispy apple plays in the background, reminiscent of Honeycrisp. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Bouquet/Aroma: Strong, clear, clean honey with a spicy herbal note. Crispy apple plays in the background, reminiscent of Honeycrisp. A grassy, green note emerges, which is a bit distracting, but gives way to a bit of vanilla and hint of cinnamon. (8/10)
close >
Appearance: Straw colored with brilliant clarity. No legs. A few bubbles occasionally rise. (6/6)
Flavor: Initial lightly tart apple gives way to full, sweet honey flavor with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. The vanilla adds a character suggestive of buttery pastry crust. Alcohol is not hot, in fact barely evident. Body is medium light, with petillant carbonation. A light astringency of apple peels adds a crisp character to the finish. Subtle warmth and flavor of cinnamon lingers at the finish, with a bit of alcohol warmth as well, then honey makes a comeback with a floral note. (20/24)
Overall Impression: The honey notes are clear and all ingredients well expressed. No one flavor dominates. The overall effect is of warm apple pie, even when served lightly chilled. Lovely to sip with friends around the table! Very well done. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 44/50
Woody, earthy notes of cinnamon are at the forefront, with sweet apple and honey notes following. The alcohol is noticeable, but clean without any harshness. more >
[close]Total Score: 44/50
Bouquet/Aroma: Woody, earthy notes of cinnamon are at the forefront, with sweet apple and honey notes following. The alcohol is noticeable, but clean without any harshness. I pick up light acidity when the mead is swirled, but it’s understated relative to the spicy sweetness. (7/10)
close >
Appearance: Light golden in color with alcohol legs that trail down the sides of my tasting glass. The clarity is pristine, and there is no carbonation. (6/6)
Flavor: The apple pie description fits the flavor more than the aroma. The sweet character is high, but not cloying, with assertive honey and apple components. I cannot identify the varieties of either, but the apples lend some acidity and tannins in addition to providing sugars. The vanilla is subtle and is likely the origin of the bourbon character. I get cinnamon near the end, but it is less prevalent than in the aroma, lending a light spiciness without any harshness. Alcohol is apparent, but more as a pleasant warming sensation on the palate than a distinct flavor. (22/24)
Overall Impression: An elegant and tasty mead that certainly earned the high score. The aroma was perhaps a little more understated than I expected, but the flavor more than compensated by bombarding my taste buds with a complex blend of sweetness, spice, and alcohol. I appreciate the recommendation to serve with ice cream, but I think I’ll savor this sample straight-up. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 45/50
Spicy and sweet. Significant apple complexity with a strong honey sweetness. more >
[close]Total Score: 45/50
Bouquet/Aroma: Spicy and sweet. Significant apple complexity with a strong honey sweetness. Dusty, warming cinnamon character is obvious. Warm spice quality, like mulling spices. Vanilla is subtle—more would be welcome. Spice complexity suggests more spices are present, like cardamom. Very intriguing. Cleanly fermented. Apple acidity noted, as is light alcohol. (9/10)
close >
Appearance: Crystal clear. Still. Pale yellow color. Very attractive. (6/6)
Flavor: Sweet and strong, but oh so smooth. Balanced acidity. Full body. Strong cinnamon character complements apples nicely. Vanilla is still in the background, just adding some rounded notes. Warmth noticeable but not hot. Mostly apples and cinnamon. Honey body and sweetness noted, as well as supporting flavor. Acidity of apples deftly balanced by honey sweetness. Tannins provide structure. Nuanced—a difficult feat for a mead this big. Vanilla comes out more in the aftertaste as it warms. Well fermented; strong and sweet but not cloying at all. (21/24)
Overall Impression: Wow. Big but smooth and well-balanced. Honey is supportive and plays its role well. Vanilla is elusive, providing a subtle rounded character; a little more vanilla would add more interest. Like a great baked apple dessert. Seems more complex than simply cinnamon—the apples are likely giving it some extra spice character. Delicious. Finally, a commercial mead that can go head-to-head with the best homemade meads. Bravo. (9/10)
