Let us delve once more into the rich and varied selection of experiences available from Lancashire Mead Company, a meadery which has all but cemented itself in my opinion as one of the finest crafters of alcoholic refreshment this wet and windy isle has to offer.
If you’ve yet to read much about this particularly distinguished meadery, I’ve covered both Aegir’s Mead, a spectacular fruited mead, and the hop-infused Thor’s Mead in previous articles. So far, everything I’ve sampled from them has been rich in character, alike in superior quality but wildly independent in flavour. Indeed, the one thing all of Lancashire Mead Company‘s bottles have in common is premium taste and presentation, each drink a little ritual, an offering to to what can be achieved by the meeting of patient work and nature’s purity.
This time we’re having a glass of Skadi’s Mead, named for the Nordic goddess of winter. It’s easy to see how it earned the name – a glass of this elicits feelings similar to stepping out into an early winter morning. Light, pure, and pleasantly bracing, the delicate but multi-faceted blossom honey lending this initially simple beverage an uncanny moreishness. It was particularly interesting tasting this one in contrast to both Aegir’s Mead and Thor’s Mead, both incredibly robust drinks with almost masculine energy. Where those meads were strong and punchy, this one is altogether more subtle, but no less memorable for it.
Skadi’s Mead invites you in with a delicately sweet scent, an aroma that belies the soft but intricate layered flavour it contains. There is no one singular aspect to this medium sweet mead’s taste. It’s like biting into a crisp, sweet apple, all the gentle floral notes playing out in quiet harmony. Skadi’s Mead has a feel much like white wine or a somewhat dry cider, and that really just accentuates the honey’s natural flavour so well. Without the extra sweetness, so much more of the honey’s other notes prevail upon the palate.
This simple purity is Skadi’s greatest strength. It makes this mead versatile, perhaps more so than any other mead I’ve covered thus far. This could be served chilled in a longer drink or even warmed with mulling spices and provide a glorious taste either way. The sweetness level is also ideal for serving alongside dessert or simply as a digestif by itself.
Skadi’s Mead – 4/5
Lancashire Mead Company‘s focus on pure, unadulterated mead is showcased in great form here. Skadi’s Mead has four ingredients – honey, water, yeast and yeast nutrient. Not a single thing is added to force the shimmering clarity she displays in the fearless decanter-style bottle, and no preservatives beyond the natural power of the mead itself.
If you’re a mead purist, white wine aficionado or even enjoy partaking in the odd dry cider, this mead is an excellent exploration of honey’s most delicate dimension. I personally consider myself none of those things – if my journey through Lancashire Mead Company‘s offerings so far has taught me anything, it’s that I love a good metheglin – but Skadi’s Mead still gets a hearty recommendation from me.
Pair Skadi’s Mead with: Desserts of all kinds and lighter savoury foods such as tapas or cheese boards.
If you’d like to try Skadi’s Mead yourself, grab a bottle from the website here.
Please email lars@drunkendice.co.uk with any enquiries.