World Mead Challenge Reviews

Golden yellow color. Aromas and flavors of fresh cold brew coffee, hint of honeyed peach, and cigar ash with a satiny, shy, fruity medium body and a sleek, medium-length finish revealing notes of honeycomb, soy latte with honey, cocoa powder, and coffee ice cream finish. A round and pleasant coffee mead that is sure to please, try with desserts.

Tomato bisque color. Complex, interesting aromas and flavors of tomato bisque with creme fraiche and fried sage, chocolate craisins, seared kobe beef teriyaki, and cherry hibiscus mint tea with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, layered, long finish with impressions of chocolate mint cookie, sarsaparilla, and sautéed shiitakes with cocktail bitters finish. A unique and somewhat Promethean flavor ride, jump on board.

Copper garnet color. Fruity, spicy aromas and flavors of dried berries and cherries, spiced nuts, cocktail bitters, and sassafras with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, crisp finish revealing notes of cherry cola, sarsaparilla, cinchona, and pine cone finish. A soft and spicy mead that drinks a bit like sangria.

Yellow straw color. Fruity, spicy, artificial aromas and flavors of baked peach, orange blossoms, ginger ale, and wintergreen with a soft, bright, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, medium-long finish imparting nuances of spiced apple and pear, quince, floral honey on plantain, and lemon curd finish. A pure and flavorful, aperitif-style mead with a nice balance of delicate orange and traditional mead flavors.

Garnet color. Aroma and flavors of bing cherry with a velvety, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length finish with notes of cola, black tea with cream, mint, and cacao nib finish. A pinot noir lover’s mead with elegant cherry notes, memorable texture, and delicate earthiness.

Straw green color. Exotic, spicy aromas and flavors of curry leaf and ginger root, peanut sauce, and green peppercorn and tea leaves with a silky, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, nuanced, long finish with accents of cardamom condiment, roasted pumpkin seeds, and ginger spiced yams finish. A successful marriage of mead and Asian spices, you’ll want to be at the wedding banquet.

Yellow straw color. Fruity, attractive, tropical, confected aromas and flavors of coconut papaya compote, frosted pineapple cake, and candied cherries with a supple, bright, off-dry medium body and an even, subtle, medium-long finish that exhibits notes of coconut milk, rum raisin cake, and nougat finish. A delicious and fun off-dry mead that is sure to please.

White gold color. Aromas of lanolin, raw coconut, roasted plantain, dried thyme, and petrol with a soft, bright, off-dry light body and a seamless, relaxed coconut water, peppercorns, and poached peach finish. A smooth and delicate Tej brimming with coconut notes.

Bright gold color. Fruity aromas and flavors of egg custard tart, apple yogurt with granola, tropical fruit tart, and carnation with a silky, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a sleek, medium-length finish evoking notes of roobois tea finish. A well-rounded mead with juicy fruit flavors and lip smacking acidity.

Golden straw color. Fresh, floral aromas of buttery pasty, ripe berries, lavender, and peach gummies with a satiny, crisp, off-dry light body and an interesting, medium-length fine herbs, yellow rose, and sea salt finish. A juicy, fruity mead stitched together with a bright floral thread.

Silvery straw color. Floral aromas of lychee, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, quince, magnolia, and warm milk and honey with a silky, vibrant, dry light body and a peppery, interesting, medium-length white pepper and grape leaves finish. A stylish, dry and wine-like mead akin to a gewurztraminer.

Siam color. Fruity aromas of crushed ripe raspberry, cranberry, fresh crumpet, and tomato leaf with a satiny, crisp, off-dry medium body and a seamless, medium-length blackberry, anise, and black tea finish. Vibrant notes of ripe berries shine through this juicy melomel.

Bright gold color. Complex aromas and flavors of bbq potato chips and cajun fries, spiced pears and plums, mesquite honeycomb, and grilled tropical fruit with brown butter with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium body and a tingling, appealing, medium-long finish with suggestions of grilled apples with pink pepper, spiced peach and cherry coulis, and smoked paprika finish. A very tasty, fruity, and slightly smoky mead with a lot of character and pairing possibilities, especially for the holidays.

Bright light gold color. Aromas of beeswax, peppermint, button mushrooms, vanilla bean, and toast with a velvety, bright, off-dry light-to-medium body and a seamless, engaging, medium-length savory chipotle and cream finish. A rich, traditional mead that will play well at the table.

Golden yellow color. Nutty aromas and flavors of butter roasted nuts, toasty coconut cream pie, hint of latte in a pewter mug, and toasted oak with a soft, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, captivating, medium-long finish with accents of mint whipped cream, spiced starfruit, pink pepper, and brandy finish. A stately, yet supple barrel aged mead with silky, well-integrated flavors.

Light gold color. Spicy, fruity aromas and flavors of poached apricot, green mint and alfalfa, dark roasted cashew, and vinyl with a silky, bright, off-dry medium-to-full body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish with impressions of fresh apple sauce, quince, clementine and kiwi skin, and raspberry seed finish. A crisp and refreshing mead that drinks a bit like a sauvignon blanc.

Golden straw color. Citrusy aromas and flavors of white grapefruit, peppery jelly, sweet pickle relish, and rain water barrel with a supple, bright, off-dry light body and a tingling, engaging, medium-length finish with notes of spiced pears in sweet cream, peppered nuts, and bit of wheatgrass finish. A nicely articulated mead with fresh flavors and snappy acidity.

Minutely hazy topaz color. Interesting aromas and flavors of new leather stool, smoked potatoes and nuts, spiced grilled oranges, and shoe polish with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, captivating, medium-length finish evoking nuances of green apple skin, grilled blood orange, and leather book finish. An interesting, lightly orangey mead that drinks a bit like a sangria.

Golden straw color. Attractive, complex aromas and flavors of saddle soap and mink oil, old leather boots on a haystack, pureed sweet potatoes, and raisin bread pudding with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, layered, long finish that shows notes of orange blossom honeycomb, cashew milk, sultanas and figs, and delicate spiced yams finish. A remarkably earthy and multidimensional mead for the mead connoisseur and a good cigar.

Yellow straw color. Fruity aromas and flavors of peach skin, creamed honey, lemon pepper, and waxed wood with a silky, bright, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish conveying nuances of white grape finish. A fruity and nicely balanced, pinot grigio-like mead for aperitifs.

Light siam color. Creamy aromas and flavors of orange dreamsicle stick, spiced currants and cranberries, playdoh, and vanilla fudge with a silky, crisp, fruity light body and a delightful, easy finish revealing impressions of bruised fruit, wet leaf in a yard bag, peppered jicama, and hint of glued wood finish. A soft and delicate, earthy mead for the table.

Gold color. Confected aroma of banana taffy with a supple, crisp, fruity sweet medium body and a tingling, crisp chocolate dipped marshmallow, starfruit, and grass finish. A very fruity, candied mead that will be fun in cocktails.

Straw green color. Exotic, tropical, interesting aromas of waxy honeycomb, green bamboo, galangal and sweet potato, and wintergreen with a prickly, petillant, medium body and a quirky, medium-length saddle soaped leather, citrus rind and powder, spiced pineapple, and jicama and matcha finish. A curious mead with a rustic edge, try in cocktails.

Straw green color. Aromas and flavors of pressed flowers, melted honey comb, poached quince, and straw with a round, crisp, fruity medium body and a medium-length finish with notes of green apple mint jelly, peach and blueberry granita, and almond skin finish. A round, earthy, and warming mead that will pair nicely with artisanal cheeses.

Bright gold color. Confected aromas and flavors of cherry custard danish, white grape, white chocolate fudge, and red kool-aid pouch with a silky, bright, fruity sweet medium body and a smooth, intriguing, breezy finish displaying notes of creme Anglaise, caramel apple with nuts, vanilla sundae with cherries, and wet grass finish. A lightly sweet, easy drinking mead that tastes a bit like a Shirley Temple.

Burnt sienna color. Fruity, minerally aromas of blackberry jam and seltzer with an spritzy, dryish watery body and a charming, medium-length craisin, marinated beet, blackberry skin and seed, and Alka seltzer finish. Natural wine lovers and sour-heads should try this somewhat austere mead that will shine at the table; for cocktails, try using swapping this mead in for vermouth.

Gold color. Aromas of vanilla bon bon, banana split with pineapple topping, and dates with a supple, bright, bone-dry thin body and a graceful, short chrysanthemum tea, water chestnuts, and straw finish. A breezy mead with a snappy finish.