12-23-2008, 07:32 AM
Sorry, I didn't really answer the question completely.Many, including Adams and myself, consider six months to be theminimum time to age the mead _in the bottle_.Mead is the bonsai of beverages...two to four months primaryfermentation (with perhaps a racking in between), then six months inbottle. There are some who suggest aging in bottle for a minimum oftwo years, claiming that the mellowing over that time is worth thewait. When I make a batch, all bottles save one are aged for sixmonths. The last is my two-year-plus private stock. And yes, puttingthat single bottle aside is worth it.Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Festive Festivus, Blessed Solstice,or whatever you are celebrating.ORGINAL POSTER: gene