Standard Meadery Rise & Shine with Black Currant

Very intense black currant notes, as to be expected. However, for my tastes, the extra stuff doesn't really add more to what is a pretty tasty beverage to begin with; if anything it detracts. I would have liked to see just a pure, unadulterated black currant version... Anyway, that aside, this is plenty tannic, presumably from the currants themselves. There's some bitterness on the finish which could probably be attributed to the currants themselves. Despite the added maple/cinnamon/vanilla, this is …

What passes for a Labour Day hangout these days (Chicago, IL) : IHOP French toast with that blackberry syrup. Tons of spice on the nose, but on the palate this is far more akin to a Schramm's melomel. Lots of acidity to give this brightness, but nonetheless, this is a heavy and potent mead; a small portion of which will go a very, very long way.