Ever had one of those nights that you just know will make for great stories later? That was my recent adventure in Lviv, sampling an impressive array of mead and tincture flavors. With my trusty friends by my side, we embarked on a mead hunt that turned out to be as delightful as it was diverse.
The Line-Up
We started with a brand that's well-known in the area: Nalyvky Zi Lvova. If you’re curious about the place, check out this link.
Lemon - Цитрусівка
- Tasting Notes: Imagine a powerful lemon aroma hitting your senses. It’s super smooth with a fantastic lemon aftertaste. At 27% alcohol, it’s surprisingly mild. This one was a hit—I even grabbed two bottles to take home!
- Score: 10/10
Raspberry - Малина
- Tasting Notes: Strong raspberry flavor, but not as smooth as the lemon. Still a solid contender, though.
- Score: 6/10
Blueberry - Чорнична
- Tasting Notes: Similar to raspberry, but with a bit more sweetness. My friends loved this one, ranking it just after the lemon. Personally, I preferred the raspberry.
- Score: 7/10
Wild Berry Mix - Лісова
- Tasting Notes: This one was a bit of a letdown. It had a bitter taste and aftertaste, despite the complex berry flavors. Headache inducing.
- Score: 3/10
Honey - Медова
- Tasting Notes: A slight alcohol aroma, but the honey flavor was strong and smooth. However, its 38% strength could be a bit overwhelming after a while.
- Score: 5/10
Smoky Cherry Mix - Спотикатч
- Tasting Notes: A smoky berry mix with cherry hints. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a favorite—it was too strong and not enjoyable without a mixer.
- Score: 4/10
A Special Mention: Traditional Carpathian Mead - Меадовха
From a different brand, Карпат'як link, this mead stood out. At 13% alcohol, it was smoother but had a strange aftertaste. The carbonation didn’t do it any favors, and I rated it a 4/10. Drinkable, but not the best.
- Score: 4/10
Final Thoughts
The drinks at Nalyvky Zi Lvova were a great value, with double shots at about $2 each and bottles around $7. The night was filled with laughter, flavor experiments, and a few surprises. If you ever find yourself in Lviv, this mead hunt is a must-try adventure!
Cheers to new experiences and great company!
