This is kind of a two-part review. There's the online ordering process/packaging and the meads themselves. This is the first time I've tried to actually evaluate anything in writing so bear with me while I stumble forward.
The ordering experience online at their website was very pleasant. I found it easy to navigate the pages and had no problems finding what I wanted. I ordered a bottle each of the Black Raspberry Nectar and the Sunshine Nectar. I also ordered 2 of their 10 oz. nectar goblets.
The order arrived about 3 days after I ordered it. I live in Idaho and the meadery is in Colorado. The packaging was nearly bullet proof. I think I could have dropped it from the roof of my house with no ill effects. I did not, however, do that. I was very impressed with the way the order arrived. Shipped quickly and packaged very well. The bottles are 1 liter each and are of the swing top variety. They are a cobolt blue in color.
My wife and I tried the black raspberry nectar first. It had a beautiful maroon (be warned I might be color blind) color, and the mead was clear and sparkling. The carbonation was there but not too strong. I found it sweet and refreshing with a clean finish. Very fruity nose. In fact, it went down VERY easy. I enjoyed the mead straight and mixed with orange juice per one of Redstone's cocktail recipes. It took us a few days to finish the bottle. The first and second time we opened the bottle the carbonation stayed strong. The third time the bottle was opened was to get the last 6-7 ounces out and there was little to no carbonation left.
The sunshine nectar was next. The color was a light golden and sparkling. It had a crisp clean taste and was not as sweet as the black raspberry. It also finished clean. Again, the carbonation was there but not overwhelming. There is a hint of apricots that lingers nicely. We are still working on this bottle as we just opened it last night to have a glass each.
With both meads I had some cheddar, gouda, and swiss cheese to try with it. I think I enjoyed the cheese with the black raspberry a little more than sunshine nectar. I think it is because the black raspberry had a little more sweetness to offset the the saltiness of the cheese.
We will be ordering more of both of these meads from Redstone in the future. The next time we place an order with them though, I would like to try a few of their still meads. All of their "nectars" are 8% alcohol and their still meads are 12%.
Overall, I will be a returning customer with them and look forward to trying more of their products.
http://www.redstonemeadery.com/
The ordering experience online at their website was very pleasant. I found it easy to navigate the pages and had no problems finding what I wanted. I ordered a bottle each of the Black Raspberry Nectar and the Sunshine Nectar. I also ordered 2 of their 10 oz. nectar goblets.
The order arrived about 3 days after I ordered it. I live in Idaho and the meadery is in Colorado. The packaging was nearly bullet proof. I think I could have dropped it from the roof of my house with no ill effects. I did not, however, do that. I was very impressed with the way the order arrived. Shipped quickly and packaged very well. The bottles are 1 liter each and are of the swing top variety. They are a cobolt blue in color.
My wife and I tried the black raspberry nectar first. It had a beautiful maroon (be warned I might be color blind) color, and the mead was clear and sparkling. The carbonation was there but not too strong. I found it sweet and refreshing with a clean finish. Very fruity nose. In fact, it went down VERY easy. I enjoyed the mead straight and mixed with orange juice per one of Redstone's cocktail recipes. It took us a few days to finish the bottle. The first and second time we opened the bottle the carbonation stayed strong. The third time the bottle was opened was to get the last 6-7 ounces out and there was little to no carbonation left.
The sunshine nectar was next. The color was a light golden and sparkling. It had a crisp clean taste and was not as sweet as the black raspberry. It also finished clean. Again, the carbonation was there but not overwhelming. There is a hint of apricots that lingers nicely. We are still working on this bottle as we just opened it last night to have a glass each.
With both meads I had some cheddar, gouda, and swiss cheese to try with it. I think I enjoyed the cheese with the black raspberry a little more than sunshine nectar. I think it is because the black raspberry had a little more sweetness to offset the the saltiness of the cheese.
We will be ordering more of both of these meads from Redstone in the future. The next time we place an order with them though, I would like to try a few of their still meads. All of their "nectars" are 8% alcohol and their still meads are 12%.
Overall, I will be a returning customer with them and look forward to trying more of their products.
http://www.redstonemeadery.com/
Personal preference I know. I do suggest you try their still meads. The are very good. That being said I think my favorite is the Vanilla Beans and Cinnamon Sticks. The Boysenberry is very good as well.
