Apis Kurpiowski Honey Mead

Apis Kurpiowski Honey Mead is a Polish dwójniak-style mead at 16% ABV (750ml) made from equal parts honey and water with blackcurrant juice. Named for the Kurpie region of northeastern Poland, this expression draws on one of the oldest mead-making traditions in Europe, producing a richly layered drink that bridges the gap between wine and honey liqueur.

Quick Facts: ABV: 16%  |  Origin: Kurpie Region, Poland  |  Style: Dwójniak (1:1 Honey-to-Water Mead)  |  Producer: Apis Spółdzielnia Pszczelarska, Lublin

Production & Heritage

Apis Spółdzielnia Pszczelarska (Apis Apiculture Cooperative) operates out of Lublin, Poland, and is one of the country's most recognized producers of traditional Polish meads. Kurpiowski is made in the dwójniak style, meaning it uses a 1:1 ratio of honey to water — placing it in the middle of the Polish mead hierarchy between the lighter trójniak (1:2) and the intensely concentrated półtorak (2:1). Crucially, the honey and water mixture is boiled before fermentation, a traditional technique that partially caramelizes the honey, lending the finished mead a deeper golden color and richer body than unboiled equivalents. Blackcurrant juice is added during production, contributing both tartness and color to the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with aged dark fruit — raisin, blackcurrant jam — layered over warm floral honey and a Moscatel-like sweetness. A background of dusty cellar, dried herbs, and gentle spice rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is potently honeyed and moderately sweet, moving into pronounced blackcurrant and dark fruit flavors at mid-palate. Allspice and bitter spice notes emerge as the sweetness recedes, while a slightly sticky, full-bodied texture carries the flavors through. The boiled-honey caramelization shows up as a subtle molasses-like depth beneath the fruit.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering dried flower, warm spice, and a gentle tartness from the blackcurrant. The sweetness tapers gradually, leaving behind a dry-edged herbal note and a trace of dark honey.

How to Drink Kurpiowski

Kurpiowski is best served slightly chilled, between 12–14°C (54–57°F), in a small wine glass or tulip-shaped goblet to concentrate its aromatic complexity. It can also be gently warmed in cooler months, a traditional Polish serving method. In a Mead Spritz, its blackcurrant sweetness pairs well with sparkling water and a lemon twist for a lighter, effervescent serve. A Hot Toddy variation benefits from Kurpiowski's herbal and spice notes when mixed with hot water, cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon. It also works in a Mead Sangria, where its dark fruit character anchors a punch of sliced stone fruit and fresh berries.

Best For

• Introducing someone to traditional Polish mead for the first time
• Serving as a dessert course companion at a dinner party
• Gifting to a wine or spirits enthusiast looking for something outside the mainstream
• Pairing with a holiday cheese board during autumn and winter gatherings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kurpiowski taste like? Kurpiowski delivers pronounced floral honey and blackcurrant fruit flavors balanced by allspice, dried herbs, and a subtle molasses-like depth from its boiled-honey production. It is moderately sweet with a full body and a gently spiced, medium-long finish.

How does Kurpiowski compare to Apis Półtorak Jadwiga? Both are produced by Apis in Lublin, but Jadwiga is a półtorak-style mead made with a richer 2:1 honey-to-water ratio, resulting in a more intensely honeyed and concentrated character. Kurpiowski's dwójniak ratio (1:1) and blackcurrant addition make it lighter, more fruit-forward, and slightly more tart by comparison.

Is Kurpiowski good for sipping neat? Yes — its moderate 16% ABV and layered flavor profile make it an approachable sipper, particularly when served slightly chilled to keep the sweetness in balance.

Where is Kurpiowski made? Kurpiowski is produced by the Apis Apiculture Cooperative in Lublin, Poland, and is named after the Kurpie region in northeastern Poland, an area with deep historical ties to beekeeping and mead production.

What foods pair well with Kurpiowski? Aged Gouda or other semi-hard cheeses complement its caramelized honey notes. Rich pâtés and charcuterie echo its dark fruit character. Roasted duck with a berry glaze mirrors the blackcurrant. Gingerbread or spiced cakes amplify the mead's allspice and dried herb tones. Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content provides a bittersweet counterpoint to the residual sweetness.

What sizes does Kurpiowski come in? Apis Kurpiowski Honey Mead is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Kurpiowski worth the price? Kurpiowski positions as an accessible, mid-range Polish mead that delivers genuine complexity for its price tier. Its traditional dwójniak production and distinctive blackcurrant addition offer strong value for anyone exploring the category beyond mass-market honey wines.

Why Kurpiowski?

What distinguishes Kurpiowski from most commercial meads is its adherence to the boiled dwójniak method, a centuries-old Polish technique that partially caramelizes the honey before fermentation, producing a deeper color and richer body than modern unboiled meads can achieve. The addition of blackcurrant juice — rather than artificial flavoring — gives it a genuine fruit tartness that balances the residual sweetness. At 16% ABV, it occupies a compelling middle ground: more structured and complex than lighter trójniak meads, yet more approachable and fruit-driven than the intensely concentrated półtorak style. For anyone seeking an authentic window into Poland's mead-making heritage, Kurpiowski is a credible and rewarding entry point.