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Sweet Mead
Iron River, Wisconsin
BJCP Category: 24C Traditional Sweet Mead
White Winter Winery <visit site>
39
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[expand]Total Score: 40/50
The herbal character is quite intense for a traditional mead and this would be better represented by noting the varietal honey or presenting this mead as a Metheglin. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Bouquet/aroma: Light, refreshing honey aroma with a fruity, herbal bouquet, reminiscent of pears and lavender. Alcohol is evident but not excessive. No fusel alcohols; not hot. The floral, herbal, and fruity notes provide a nice complexity. (8/10)
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Appearance: Light yellow color. Bright clarity. Just a hint of carbonation as bubbles linger on the sides of the glass. Very thin legs, hints to a lighter mead. (5/6)
Flavor: Herbal/floral characteristic verges on being medicinal with notes of lavender and fruity, pear-like esters. Sweet, not cloying. Thin body seems to result from a well-attenuated, smaller mead. Alcohol is there and balances the sweetness and body. Honey expression is not as assertive as I’d like in a sweet mead, but the honey may be present as the herbal character of the unstated varietal honey. Acidity is well-balanced with sweetness to give this mead brightness. Finishes with a bit of sweetness that dries up straight away. (19/24)
Overall Impression: The herbal character is quite intense for a traditional mead and this would be better represented by noting the varietal honey or presenting this mead as a Metheglin. It’s also closer to a semi-sweet mead than a sweet mead. However, this is a very drinkable beverage that could easily accompany dinner in the place of a dessert wine with a white chocolate mousse. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 46/50
The floral honey varietal was unfortunately not listed on the bottle, however, serving suggestions were made, including serving warm and spiced. Were it still winter, I’d have tried it that way! more >
[close]Total Score: 46/50
Bouquet/aroma: Light floral honey expression, with notes reminiscent of Chardonnay. Some alcohol detected, but not dominant; taken with the honey, comes across to me like the aroma of purple iris mixed with buck brush, which has a kind of savory note. No single aroma dominates. (9/10)
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Appearance: Pale straw, not quite totally white but nearly so, with the palest white gold highlights. Brilliant clarity. Leaves legs on the glass when swirled. (6/6)
Flavor: Honey expression is pronounced, and follows the floral, herbal spiciness of the aromas of iris, lilac, and buck brush. Well balanced between moderately pronounced sweetness and a light acidity. Sweet without heaviness, medium bodied, and still. A low alcohol warmth combines with acidity for a clean, sweet, yet crisp, finish, almost like biting into a ripe Fuji apple. (22/24)
Overall Impression: The floral honey varietal was unfortunately not listed on the bottle, however, serving suggestions were made, including serving warm and spiced. Were it still winter, I’d have tried it that way! The balanced sweetness and floral honey flavors would support the rich warming spices often associated with winter festivities. Something about it makes me think rosemary would work well, too. On the other hand, this is a beguiling beverage on its own, and a lovely expression of honey sweetness and flavor. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 37/50
This is a very nice beverage in terms of drinkability, but it does not have enough honey character to stand out as a mead. more >
[close]Total Score: 37/50
Bouquet/aroma: Lemony aroma with a hint of tangerines and sulfur. I also get oak and peppery notes, and these work well with the citrus character. A little honey sweetness emerges when the mead is swirled but it’s quite subtle for a mead. Alcohol strength is evident, along with some fruity esters. (7/10)
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Appearance: Crystal clear with an extremely light straw color. Modest alcohol legs cascade down the glass when the mead is swirled. (6/6)
Flavor: Spicy, apple notes remind me of a winter mulled cider. Some honey sweetness, but it is quite overwhelmed by the cinnamon and woody notes. I don’t know if spices were added—the label says “natural ingredients”—but this does not seem to be a traditional mead. The balance is sweet, as labeled, but there are enough tannins and acidity to keep the finish from being cloying. (17/24)
Overall Impression: This is a very nice beverage in terms of drinkability, but it does not have enough honey character to stand out as a mead. The spice/cinnamon character is quite strong, and I would score this higher as a metheglin—even if the spicy notes were a byproduct of the yeast rather than intentionally added. The mulled cider character is quite interesting, and the sweetness helps balance the flavors without being too overwhelming in the finish. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 34/50
I’d like to see more residual sweetness or less acidity. Almost has the profile of a cyser. Clean and tasty, albeit subtle. The honey character isn’t very noticeable, and there is an odd caraway note to more >
[close]Total Score: 34/50
Bouquet/aroma: Somewhat tart and apple-like with a waxy, lightly spicy finish. Honey provides some sweetness but minimal floral notes. I get a slight caraway note—that’s odd. Expecting more of a clean, distinctive honey aroma. Nothing else obviously off, though. (7/10)
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Appearance: Very pale straw color. Clear but not brilliant. Still. (5/6)
Flavor: Semi-sweet but with a high acidity. Almost apple-like or Riesling-like in profile. Medium body. Honey is slightly waxy and spicy tasting. Fairly clean, neutral honey flavor. Floral aspects are fairly low. The acidity overshadows the honey flavor and dominates the finish. The alcohol is subdued. The acid level is unbalanced to my taste. (15/24)
Overall Impression: I’d like to see more residual sweetness or less acidity. Almost has the profile of a cyser. Clean and tasty, albeit subtle. The honey character isn’t very noticeable, and there is an odd caraway note to it. The balance is off for a mead, but it should appeal to those who favor crisp white wines. I’d drink it over ice or with food—as a standalone drink, the acidity is bracing. I wouldn’t call it a sweet mead—it’s medium at best. Definitely better on ice. (7/10)
