Red-headed stepchild

Late Summer release 2026

12%

Mead Details:

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wildflower & Raspberry Mead

​Born under a darkened Michigan sky, this mead was pitched at the exact moment of the April 8th, 2024 solar eclipse—at 3:13 PM, right when Ypsilanti hit 98.8% maximum totality.

​While both meads were barrel fermented, its sibling (Little Red Corvette) went the caramelized raspberry bochet route, Red-Headed Stepchild kept things raw and simple. It’s the non-bochet version. We took local Dexter Wildflower honey, added VRB yeast, and sent it straight into a freshly dumped Detroit City Distillery bourbon barrel to ferment. 

​While it was in the barrel for 2 full years, it drew deep vanilla, charred oak, and bold bourbon character from the wood. After pulling it from the barrel, we blended it with an exceptional raspberry mead to add a bright, juicy, fruit-forward complexity. Aged for a total of 27 months before finally hitting the bottle, this is a beautifully complex, celestial elixir with a wild streak.

​The Specs:

• ​Base: Local Dexter Wildflower Honey

• ​Yeast: VRB

• ​Vessel: Fresh Detroit City Distillery Bourbon Barrels

• ​Treatment: Blended with premium raspberry mead

• ​Total Aging: 27 months

Karl’s tasting notes. 

I don’t have too much to say about this one! This humorously named mead appeared on my analysis list seemingly overnight. No explanation on what it is! I’m going to be cheeky and guess that the Mead Team put ginger in this one, folks! Let’s find out if I’m right!

Let’s see what I can uncover from the nose. My first impression is fruit. Now this mead is indeed red, so I already assumed as much. From the first impression, I could get some sweet/tart notes and maybe apple? More research! I’m not specifically smelling ginger, instead a potentially barrel-aged undertone; dates and honey are the note but I’m not totally sure! A husky dark fruit followed by a honeyed backbone of savory-sweet “caramel” impressions under it all.

First sip? Let’s see about some context: WOW! That is a very delicious profile! That “date” note flows into the front with a honey-fruit blend. The semi tart and sweet notes of raspberries are well blended. There is a mistakable profile of a spice poking through as well. Not quite cinnamon, and I would be surprised if it were Amburana wood! This is definitely barrel-aged. It’s a delicious mead. A gorgeous waltz of fruit, caramelized sweetness, and a touch of spices. While the fruit plays a massive role, the overall flavor profile is sublime and speaks for itself! Bravo!