THE VIKING ALCHEMIST HAS ANNOUNCED ITS RELEASE CALENDAR FOR BARREL-AGED MEADS.

Marietta, Georgia – February 1, 2020 -  The Viking Alchemist Meadery’s has released its 2020 calendar for barrel-aged meads. The barrel-aged program will on the successful launch of last year’s barrel-aged meads, expanding the lineup with more options and more collaboration. All barrel-aged meads are unique and available in limited quantities. Though a receipe can be replicated, no two batches are ever the same making each barrel-aged mead a collectible, unique label.

Aging mead (honey wine) in oak barrels adds a unique layer of flavor and complexity to the original recipe. Depending on the source, and previous use, the barrel will add notes that compliment the mead. The Viking Alchemist has been sourcing barrels from regional distilleries, after their primary use, typically, as bourbon barrels. These established relationships have helped the meadery control the process and deliver more predictable outcomes.

“The growing spirits business in Georgia has brought us a surprising opportunity,” says Tamara Kosoris, Head Brewer. “We’ve gained access to the best quality barrels from some inspired distillers in our region. It offers us new, unexpected opportunities.”

Barrel-aging (Oaking) offers dramatic variety as barrels are often used for multiple aging processes. In some cases, like a maple syrup barrel, the resulting flavor profile is impossible to find in any other process. It makes these barrel-aged meads unique and exciting to experiment with, allowing the meadery to twist something completely new for an enthusiastic audience.

Mead, in particular, takes to barrel-aging very well as the mead starts off with a naturally sweeter profile. Over time, the oak will dry out the mead, softening the sweetness and thinning out the feel of the mead. While there is no ongoing fermentation, the barrel-aging the process will dramatically change the flavor profile.

While each oak barrel can be used several times, it will slowly lose the flavor of the previous contents. Viking Alchmist labels like Respite (bourbon barrel-aged peach mead) and Accord (bourbon barrel-aged cherry mead) have demonstrated how the distillery’s flavor profile compliments the mead flavor when used immediately after their original use. The strong tones of the aged liquor come through, adding a sharpness to the sweeter mead that has become a signature flavor profile of barrel-aged meads.

In 2019 and in 2020 the meadery has had the opportunity to try secondary barrels both of their  own making as well as sourced from partners. Once a bourbon barrel has been used to age another fluid, most of the spirit’s flavor will have faded. As is the case with the Celestial label (bourbon barrel-aged peach mead), which was the second pull of the barrel previously used for Respite. Both labels have similar flavor profiles, but customes can clearly see the difference from the first to the second pull.

In 2020, the meadery will be experimenting with maple syrup barrels which are, technically, second pull barrels. These oak barrels were used to age maple syrup, infusing it with bourbon and char notes. While some bourbon flavor will still be present, most of the flavor will be the rich maple syrup, oak and char with hints of vanilla.

With the publication of the release calendar, customers will be able to plan for event tastings and sales as the product becomes available in the market.

About the Viking Alchemist Meadery
The Viking Alchemist is a family owned, veteran-focused Meadery and Cidery, established in 2015, Marietta GA. The Meadery is sold and distributed throughout Georgia with a tasting room open Thurdsay-Sunday. Over the 4 years of operation, the meadery has developed a reputation for merging modern sensibilities with the ancient craft of mead making, earning the reputation of an “alchemist.” For three years in a row, the Viking Alchemist’s  Signature mead Bliss has been awarded “Best Mead in Georgia” in the Georgia Trustees Wine & Spirits Challenge.