Schramm’s Mead Black Agnes 17 Black Currant Melomel

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Black Agnes 17 is Schramm’s flagship black currant melomel, a vinous and richly layered mead that pours deep and brooding in the glass. The nose offers jammy fruit, ripe blackberry, and a whisper of raspberry, all wrapped around premium varietal honey. On the palate, sharply tart black currants meet luscious honey sweetness, with a tannic backbone lending structure and a wine-like seriousness. Notes of dark berry preserves, subtle earthiness, and a long, lingering finish reveal the meadery’s rigorous craft. Complex, balanced, and built for contemplation, this is dessert-mead artistry at its finest.

Food Pairing

Pair with aged hard cheeses such as Manchego or a sharp English cheddar to balance the tart fruit and honeyed richness. For dessert, try dark chocolate flourless torte or a black currant tart, where the mead’s jammy berry character and tannic structure echo and elevate the plate.

About Schramm’s Mead

Schramm’s Mead, founded in 2009 by Ken Schramm in Ferndale, Michigan, has established itself as one of America’s most respected meaderies and a pioneer in elevating mead to the level of fine wine. Schramm, author of “The Compleat Meadmaker,” brought decades of homebrewing expertise and a rigorous, scientific approach to commercial mead production. The meadery specializes in crafting complex, age-worthy meads that showcase the interplay between premium varietal honeys and carefully selected fruits, particularly their renowned “Heart of Darkness” featuring tart cherries and “The Statement” series. Schramm’s employs traditional fermentation methods combined with meticulous attention to balance and drinkability, producing meads that range from dry and wine-like to rich dessert styles. Their commitment to using only the finest ingredients without artificial additives has garnered international acclaim within both the mead and craft beverage communities. The meadery’s limited production releases are highly sought after, often aging their products for extended periods to develop refined complexity and depth, challenging preconceptions about what mead can achieve as a serious beverage category.