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World Mead Challenge
Reviews for 2018

January 2018 - World Mead Challenge

January 2018 - World Mead Challenge
This month's Wine feature is World Mead Challenge Wines

World Mead Challenge Reviews

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Sun Up Brewing Company Sunnas Nektar Braggot
95 points
$75
Sun Up Brewing Company
Sunna's Nektar Braggot
Dark copper color. Complex aromas and flavors of toasted fruit cake, caramelized roasted chestnuts, hint of tamari, and chocolate yogurt with a supple, crisp, effervescent, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, layered, long finish with accents of caramelized citrus, pepper, and chocolate gingerbread finish. A very complex and layered braggot with great flavor and balance.
Awards: 2017 Best Mead
95 points $75
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Date Tasted:
Honeywood Mead
93 points
$12
Best Buy
Honeywood
Mead
Dull straw color. Tropical, interesting aromas of papaya and lychee, honey roasted grapes, sweet pepper-olive relish, and honeyed greek yogurt with a full body and a sleek, complex, medium-long ginep, golden raisin compote, and lime marmalade finish. An intriguing dessert mead that drinks a lot like a fine beerenauslese.
93 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Liquid Alchemy Beverages Pucker-Up-Baby-DRY Mead
93 points
$15
Best Buy
Liquid Alchemy Beverages
Pucker-Up-Baby-DRY Mead
Dusty light ruby color. Aromas of circus peanut, macadamia gelato, meringue, and pine needle and bark with a silky, bright, fruity medium body and a seamless, subtle, medium-long orange blossom honey, nougat, hibiscus tea, and suede finish. A very interesting, creamy, fruit rosé wine like mead.
93 points $15 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
HoneyMaker Lavender Mead
93 points
$19
Best Buy
HoneyMaker
Lavender Mead
Dusty golden straw color. Interesting aromas and flavors of lemon ginger sorbet, dried verbena and lavender, and key lime pie with a silky, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and an even, elegant, long finish with overtones of spiced nectarine and honey roasted nuts with lemon zest finish. A lively and delicious lightly herbal and citrusy mead.
93 points $19 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Costa Rica Meadery Passiflora Passion Fruit Mead
93 points
$20
Best Buy
Costa Rica Meadery
Passiflora Passion Fruit Mead
Minutely hazy old gold color. Meaty, savory aromas and flavors of turkey bouillon, alfalfa, and chestnut honeycomb with a satiny, tangy, off-dry medium-to-full body and an even, complex, long finish conveying notes of dried tropical fruits and apricots, almond cookie, and mint cream finish. A complex, fruity and savory mead that will be great at the table.
93 points $20 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Martin Brothers Wildflower Sweet Mead
93 points
$25
Martin Brothers
Wildflower Sweet Mead
Bright gold color. Aromas and flavors of baked apple and pineapple, delicate mint and wintergreen, and dried honey with a silky, bright, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish with impressions of apple and peach sauce, pineapple slices, and lychee finish. A vibrant, refreshing mead that will appealing to gewurztraminer fans.
Awards: 2017 Best Traditional Mead
93 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Meadow Vista Ostara Pyment Mead
93 points
$28
Meadow Vista
Ostara Pyment Mead
Bright gold color. Interesting, tropical aromas and flavors of sandalwood, dried flowers and clay, buttercream on tropical fruits, and almond meal with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, intricate, long finish that exhibits notes of dried apricot and papaya, suede, golden raisins, and pink pepper finish. A nuanced, warming, wine-like pyment that drinks like a late harvest Alsatian pinot gris.
93 points $28
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Date Tasted:
Liquid Alchemy Beverages Thai-GRRR Mead
92 points
$12.50
Best Buy
Liquid Alchemy Beverages
Thai-GRRR Mead
Minutely hazy yellow color. Exotic, citrusy aromas and flavors of lemon-ginger chiffon, lavender honey, lime chutney, and floral coconut with a silky, crisp, off-dry full body and a tingling, engaging, medium-length finish. A fun, citrusy, lightly peppery mead that will be fun to try with hot and spicy dishes.
92 points $12.50 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Bootleg Hill Honey Meads Orange Sunshine Reserve Mead
91 points
$15.99
Best Buy
Bootleg Hill Honey Meads
Orange Sunshine Reserve Mead
Minutely hazy gold color. Floral, citrusy aromas and flavors of orange blossoms, tangerine almond biscotti, and suede with a satiny, vibrant, off-dry medium-to-full body and a seamless, appealing, long finish with accents of clementine sorbet, honeyed mint, chocolate orange peel, and pepper finish. A mouthwatering and pure flavored orange mead for desserts or cocktails.
91 points $15.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
HoneyMaker Semi-Sweet Mead
91 points
$19
HoneyMaker
Semi-Sweet Mead
Clear golden straw color. Savory aromas and flavors of spiced dried peach, honeycomb, cornichon and nut oil, and cedar pencil with a silky, bright, fruity medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish with shades of raisin compote, spiced nuts, and brown butter finish. A delightfully nutty, savory mead that will shine at the table.
91 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Martin Brothers Lucerne Blossom Mead
91 points
$26
Martin Brothers
Lucerne Blossom Mead
Brilliant yellow straw color. Aromas and flavors of baked lemon and pear, bamboo shoot, and melted wax with a silky, vibrant, off-dry medium body and a tingling, stimulating, medium-long finish manifesting notes of pineapple yogurt, candied orange zest, wintergreen and alfalfa, and baked raisins finish. A savory, appetizing mead.
91 points $26
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Date Tasted:
Meadow Vista Cloud Horse Mead
90 points
$19
Meadow Vista
Cloud Horse Mead
Bright straw green color. Aromas and flavors of baked and spiced tropical fruits, mint leaves, tangerine, and fern with a silky, soft, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, appealing, medium-long finish revealing shades of lemon granita, overripe nectarine, and waxy apple skin finish. A savory, Riesling like mead that will be great at the table.
90 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Pirtle Blackberry Mead
89 points
$16.95
Pirtle
Blackberry Mead
Bright garnet color. Fresh aromas and flavors of caramelized dark berries, honeyed cherries, and lily with a silky, bright, fruity medium body and a tingling, breezy finish with accents of cherry craisins and pepper finish. A nice berry flavored mead for cheeses that is reminiscent of lemberger.
89 points $16.95
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Date Tasted:
Meadow Vista Mabon Mead
89 points
$19
Meadow Vista
Mabon Mead
Clear yellow straw color. Spicy aromas and flavors of spiced peach, turmeric tea, green tomato relish, and cologne with a silky, bright, fruity medium body and an effortless, intriguing, medium-length finish with notes of spiced kiwi, spiced nuts, and tart green apple finish. A nice delicately spiced mead that will complement Indian cuisine.
89 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Oran Mor Aphrodites Obsession Mead
89 points
$28
Oran Mor
Aphrodite's Obsession Mead
Dark ruby garnet color. Aromas and flavors of melted honeycomb and chocolate, dried wild berries in greek yogurt, and heirloom tomato chutney with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a medium-length finish with accents of craisin, sour cherry shrub, marinated beets, and white pepper finish. A nice combination of fruity and savory notes here.
89 points $28
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Date Tasted:
Honeywood Blackberry Mead
88 points
$12
Best Buy
Honeywood
Blackberry Mead
Reddish amber color. Interesting aromas of baked berry, lightly pickled cucumber, and lipstick with a silky, bright, fruity medium body and a smooth, compelling, medium-long currant preserves on raisin nut toast and choke cherry jam finish. A pure berry flavored mead that is sure to satisfy with desserts or in a kir royal.
88 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Chaucer’s Semi-Dry Sparkling Mead
87 points
$9
Best Buy
Chaucer’s
Semi-Dry Sparkling Mead
Pale silvery emerald straw color. Spicy aromas of cola nut and spiced apple and peach with a silky, tangy, spritzy, fruity medium body and an even, stimulating, medium-length lemon-lime soda, wintergreen and herb lozenge, clementine, and chalk finish. A fun, lively, somewhat soda-like sparkling mead for carefree enjoyment.
87 points $9 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Humble Bee Vineyards NV Pumpkin Harvest Mead
87 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Humble Bee Vineyards
NV Pumpkin Harvest Mead
Medium bright gold color. Interesting, spicy aromas and flavors of pumpkin tart, spiced rhubarb and cranberry, delicate floral incense, and pencil eraser with a silky, bright, fruity medium body and an even, interesting, medium-length finish that presents notes of spiced simple syrup finish. A nice pumpkin spice flavored mead.
87 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Meadow Vista Bliss Sparkling Cherry Mead
87 points
$13
Best Buy
Meadow Vista
Bliss Sparkling Cherry Mead
Brilliant light ruby color. Aromas and flavors of soy rice cake, balsamic drizzled berries, nut brittle, and milk curd with a supple, vibrant, spritzy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, breezy finish with overtones of strawberry-cranberry spritzer and pickled cherries finish. A nice appetizing berry flavored mead with a refreshing spritz.
87 points $13 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Humble Bee Vineyards NV Midnight Moon Mead
87 points
$15.99
Humble Bee Vineyards
NV Midnight Moon Mead
Pale golden amber color. Aromas of saddle soap, suede, spiced raisin compote, and almond with a soft, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length nut oil, dried pear and nectarine, and hint of mint finish. A nicely layered, savory mead.
87 points $15.99
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Date Tasted:
Chaucer’s Raspberry Mead
87 points
$16
Chaucer’s
Raspberry Mead
Reddish orange color. Earthy, fruity aromas and flavors of ripe raspberries in a basket and raspberry herb lozenge with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and an even, interesting, breezy finish displaying nuances of cranberry-sour cherry juice and nutskin finish. A nice fruit berry flavored mead that will be good on it’s own, with desserts, on in cocktails.
87 points $16
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Date Tasted:
HoneyMaker Apple Cyser Mead
87 points
$19
HoneyMaker
Apple Cyser Mead
Brilliant gold color. Baked aromas and flavors of honey roasted apples and nuts, nougat, and rice cake and bamboo with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, stimulating, medium finish imparting overtones of spiced dried fruits, grape skin, and water chestnut finish. A rock solid, chardonnay-like cyser with warm, savory flavors.
87 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Hawk Knob Cyser
87 points
$20
Hawk Knob
Cyser
Dull old gold color. Woody, roasted aromas and flavors of toasted oak barrel staves, pencil, honey roasted apples nd dnuts, and tea with a soft, shy, dry light-to-medium body and a medium finish that shows notes of citrus rind and brown apple core and saw dust finish. A heavily oaked cider for fans of the style.
87 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Oran Mor Sol Mead
87 points
$28
Oran Mor
Sol Mead
Clear silvery straw color. Aromas and flavors of honey baked pear, rice pudding with sultanas, lemon seed, and almond meal with a supple, bright, off-dry medium body and a smooth, intricate, long finish with accents of honeyed spiced pear, feijoa, wintergreen lozenge, and geranium finish. A delicious, nuanced mead with great style and vibrancy.
87 points $28
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Date Tasted:
Meadow Vista Bliss Sparkling Apple Cyser Mead
86 points
$13
Best Buy
Meadow Vista
Bliss Sparkling Apple Cyser Mead
Bright emerald straw color. Aromas of tapioca with dried peaches, apples on a tree, and honey roasted fruits with a soft, crisp, effervescent, fruity light-to-medium body and a graceful, appealing, breezy apple and celery sodas, starfruit, and lime spritzed jicama finish. A delightfully appealing sparkling mead for fans of Prosecco.
86 points $13 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
HoneyMaker Blueberry Mead
86 points
$19
HoneyMaker
Blueberry Mead
Dark ruby garnet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of berry butter on cinnamon rye toast, blueberry cobbler, and berry sorbet with a silky, soft, fruity medium body and a smooth, appealing, breezy finish with shades of nougat and creme brulee finish. A pleasant, easy-drinking berry-flavored mead.
86 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Liquid Alchemy Beverages Sweet-Nothing Mead
85 points
$12.50
Liquid Alchemy Beverages
Sweet-Nothing Mead
Dull light gold color. Baked aromas and flavors of melted honeycomb, baked apple and pear, sorghum, and baked wax paper with a silky, bright, off-dry medium body and a seamless, appealing, buoyant finish revealing notes of peach yogurt and apple mint jelly finish. A pleasant dessert mead that will excel with cheeses.
85 points $12.50
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Date Tasted:
Humble Bee Vineyards NV Cleveland Sunset Mead
85 points
$12.99
Humble Bee Vineyards
NV Cleveland Sunset Mead
Clear steely amber color. Aromas of peach scented lipstick, wild strawberries on the vine, and conditioned leather purse with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long strawberry-peach kefir and vanilla yogurt nuts and raisins finish. A intriguingly savory fruit-flavored mead with nice nuances.
85 points $12.99
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Date Tasted:
Pirtle Effervescent Sparkling Mead
85 points
$19.95
Pirtle
Effervescent Sparkling Mead
Clear old gold color. Aromas of chestnut honeycomb, dried stone fruit, and mint creme fraiche with a supple, crisp, effervescent, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and a silky, breezy pineapple cherry relish finish. A fruity sweet sparkling mead for desserts.
85 points $19.95
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Date Tasted:
Martin Brothers Orange Blossom Mead
85 points
$27
Martin Brothers
Orange Blossom Mead
Clear golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of dried peach and apple skin, grape pip and melon rind, rice cake, and leaves with a supple, tangy, petillant, off-dry medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length finish imparting notes of apple sauce with lemon zest, honeyed kiwi and orange, and peppered endive finish. A bright citrusy mead with table-tuned acidity.
85 points $27
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Date Tasted:
Honey I Have Meads 2010 Hydromel Mead
85 points
$30
Honey I Have Meads
2010 Hydromel Mead
Brilliant white gold color. Fruity, floral aromas and flavors of ripe saturn peach, apple blossoms, spiced pear, and white balsamic on melon with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, compelling, medium-long finish revealing impressions of starfruit, kiwi skin, and orange blossom water finish. A crisp, refreshing Vinho Verde like mead.
85 points $30
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Date Tasted:
Oran Mor Midsummer Nights Mead
85 points
$32
Oran Mor
Midsummer Night's Mead
Pale reddish amber color. Fruity aromas and flavors of strawberry preserves on raisin toast with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and an even, medium-length finish imparting notes of dried berries finish. A light and easy berry-flavored mead.
85 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Martin Brothers Wildflower Dry Mead
84 points
$24
Martin Brothers
Wildflower Dry Mead
Clear golden straw color. Interesting, exotic aromas and flavors of forest nettles and underbrush, green tomato vine and leaf, fur coat, and sandalwood incense with a supple, tart, dryish medium body and a sleek, complex, long finish evoking impressions of gooseberry and lemon, nectarine skin, pickled green apple and melon, and lemon tea finish. A wild and wooly mead with bracing acidity for the table that drinks a bit like an orange wine.
84 points $24
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Date Tasted:
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