The second carboy transfer went without a hitch and had a half gallon in the tail end for reserve and um...testing. This is going to be one of those days. All for science and glory. Such is commitment to one's craft. I believe that is a tear of joy in my eye. Batch two has a bit of vitner's sweetener added to the tail end. I think I mentioned that the second and third batch had this done to test out the possibilities. Oh, such a difference that made! This batch has a bit more deeper color to it as I steeped a few more tea bags to this batch. It has something of a darker amber shade to it and the spices came out very nicely. Along with the sweetener, this is a batch to be reckoned with. No secrets will die with me. Perhaps a time-tested liver, but no secrets, my friends! I got about an 8 ounce bottle of sweetener and added half to this batch and half to batch number three. This batch has just a hint more sweet than I would want, but the blend is so nice, that I feel more forgiving with each sip. It brings back the sweetness of the honey that I am inclined to look for in future batches. This will be a desert metheglin for sure and one with a driver's warning on it. You will float like a bee after a glass or two of this run!
Batch three was even darker than batch two. I went back to Twining's Earl Grey and am very glad I did. I've been timing my steep times and using a bit longer steep for the teas. About five minutes steep. This has produce a few shades darker metheglin than batch two. But the flavor is pretty consistent with batch two as it is sweetened with a pronounced spice end that I have decided is a good thing. Both batches will be great Christmas gifts and ready to drink at the time of corking. They are ready now in my estimation. Somehow, the lawn looks less appealing at the moment...
Now for the update of the day. The blueberry fortified! Oh my, oh my! I popped the top of the plastic carboy and stuck my nose in this (I am very scent oriented and should have been a cat. My wife says I am a dog and I am still working that one out...) This one grabbed my nasal passages and held them for ransom for a moment. I was ecstatic about our currant wine, but I think this blueberry run will give the currant a run for it's money. Such a dark color of purple and the waft of blueberries! A test is in order I am sure. It is in the transfusion process as I type and I have to take breaks by the moment to run over and gander upon it.
I slaked off a dram of the blueberry and it packs a heat. Not the sweet metheglin, dearie. This one is quite a bit drier than the honey wines. I must contemplate whether to sweeten this batch or leave it as is. I am inclined to leave as is at the moment as it has a very blueberry nose to it with tannins on the buds and a slightly bitter finish. This one is exotic and I believe I like it.
Here is a line up of batches two, three, and the blueberry:
This day could only be better if my sweet wife was here at the moment. She is currently doing that bit of drudgery that we quaintly call in this household, a job. I shall do my part by holding down the fort and ensuring that there is a bit of a taste left for her when she comes home. There will be a physics lesson for me today as I must calculate the exact amount of that taste, but I shall persevere.
Hey, the grass in the picture does not look that long. Hmmm...
Take care folks. Get out and see the world, take the bee by the stinger or at least reach for the berry!
