- Cherry Mead -

Cherry juice has been called the elixir of immortality, and Mead is the drink of the Gods, so this could be the most amazing drink of all time. This mead sits between the Raspberry Mead and the Cyser for me. The cherry flavour allows the warmth of the mead through before it arrives itself. The wonderful mix of sweetness and sour flavours always brings me to cherries, and this Mead is no different. I like this mead for an everyday drink. It has enough flavour to stand alone while I am enjoying a good film, it is an easy drink that sits with you and demands only that you finish the bottle. This mead is one I would have in the vault for those times you just fancy something to complement a good evening.

Afon Mêl undersold this mead to me by saying that it lacked the power and intensity of the blackberry or raspberry. I was expecting a honey-forward mead with some cherry notes as an afterthought, instead I've got my new favourite of the Afon Mêl range. It has a tawny red colour; aromas of cherry brandy, brown sugar, almond and rose. The texture is smooth as cream, and the flavour finds just the right interplay of sweet and tart. This is the dinner guest I would always want at my table, well-mannered, unassuming and quietly brilliant.

Recommended serve: chilled.

A delight to drink, Afon Mêl have demonstrated their quiet genius when creating this mead. Rarely will you ever find a cherry drink that tastes natural. However, Afon Mêl's ability to emulate the delicate and natural balance between the sweet and sour cherry, whilst still drawing out the gentle warmth of honey, has made this drink a pantry staple for myself, and those I had the pleasure to share the bottle with.