Bunratty Irish Mead

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 4

A gift from a friend. This pours a clear gold colour. The aroma is alcohol, and honey, and more alcohol (that's unlike a mead). The flavour is sweet, with some pices to liven it up and balance the honey.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 6

is very sweet, some alcohol in the mouth, maybe to much .. . quite complex for a white wine .. . enjoyable but only in like 4 oz samples, once .. a waste of money and this doesn't belong on beer sites, this is just white wine with honey stirred in..it even says so on the label...

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 3 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 3

This has been my very first experience with Mead, however, I am not a beginner when it comes to beer and especially wine. This was second rate mouthwash at best. It poured a crystal clear golden yelloe collor with a translucent rim and substantial legs. Its aroma was strong on the honey, but the herbs that were infused ruined a decfent attempt at quality. It left the aroma with an oxidized feeling and a nasty geranium aroma you can get when wines that underwent malolactic fermentaition, then stabilized with potassium sorbate, referment. I will admit that the flavor was slightly better than the aroma, but the honey was ruined by the additives in the "Mead". I am a little disappointed. I am still interested in trying a Mead because I dont think that this particular one is a fair represrntation given the reputation of Mead.

Aroma: 2 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 2 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

I’ll rate this as a beer, my first mead and I’m not sure why wne is allowed to be rated here. Probably the same guy that allows sake is responsible for this. Big 750 mL bottle. Tho I was hoping for a cork, it has a very crappy tin lid mechanism on it. This is probably why some of the ratings are poor. I suspect many of these bottles are not properly sealed. The lid had to be cut off with tin snips. Honey laced aroma, comes across somewhat like a perfume. Olfactory is almost sickening sweet. Taste is heavily honeytized. Absolutely no carbonation. Provides a warm feeling as it finds it’s way to my gullet. Surprizingly, looks like a pale yellow american lager without any carbonation. Has nice legs on the side of the glass. Yes, it is what it is, honey mixed with wine. Though the alky content is high (for a beer) it is well hidden. The only thing that lets you know it is alky laced is the vinous warm feeling it leaves down the throat. I’m not a wine liker so this is not much to my liking but I find it more palatable than most IPA, impy IPA and impy stouts. More enjoyable than a barley wine or an american strong. Wow, each sip gets you a refresher of that sickening sweet smell, it’s difficult to get past. I find myself holding my breath for each sip. Finish is rather mellow for such a high alky brew. Very little if any bitterness can be detected during the session or on the finish. Finish is fruity laced honey and is rather pleasant. Let’s let the guys at ratewine.com do these meades, IMHO they don’t belong here.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 3

I admit, personal pet peeve. This is not mead. It is a wine that is sweetened with herbs and honey (the description they give). Beyond that, I found this "mead" unbalanced and harsh. It is thin and the spices are out of sync with the sweetness. All in all, I can't recommend it (especially as mead).

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Got to try the last of fattyre and bunnyhop’s bottle they purchased on their honemoon. Floral honey in the nose, it had gained a slight sherry note with its age, but had held up nicely. Minty. Crackers.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

10.23.04 750ml crock, served at various temps in a snifter. Pours a light golden color, about the shade of a light blended scotch like Famous Grouse. Of course, no head. Aroma is a quick shot of honey followed by a strong push of jet fuel. This is probably the most intense alcohol aroma I’ve ever gotten from 15% spirit. However, adding an ice cube to chill, or just chilling the sample in the fridge, almost completely removes the sinus abusing ethanol. Not at all unpleasant, just a similar effect to a quality vodka. Palate is soft and slick. A heavy mouthfeel, nothing like bourbon, coats the palate and softly slides away leaving only a slight alcoholic burn on the gums. Flavors linger of vanilla, butter, and fat, late harvest grapes. Very drinkable, never cloying despite its sweetness.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

It poured a dark orange color. The aroma is of honey, white grapes, and lemons. The flavor is very sweet with a load of honey and some apples. A bit of spice is also present. The alcohol is hidden well and really only shows up in the aftertaste. Nice stuff.