JAO just bottled, few questions

So my JAO was just bottled up, read the newspaper through it today. But there were a few signs that did concern me. The taste is wonderful, but with a slight off taste which I hope will die down. But there is a very strong smell to it, and I'm not exactly sure what it is. I'm assuming that it is from the yeast that formed on top of the oranges right by the top of the 1-gallon jug, but I'm not quite sure, and not even sure how to describe it. Anyone else have a weird smell when they bottled their's up?

There was also a very alcoholy taste to it, and it felt very warm in my stomach for about 30 seconds after drinking. Didn't do a hydrometer reading on this batch, but it seems a little high (not that I'm complaining). Any thoughts?

I think you have a very young mead with enough oranges and the "white junk" between the orange and the rind to give an inital bitter and funky taste.
When I make an orange mead, I take the outside rind, and the inside pulp only.
Don't worry, time will mellow out the flavors, and tone down the esters.
Just remember to give it a lot of time, the more the better.

I'm currently making a batch of JAO. I know the stuff your talking about; the slimy stuff? But mine smells awesome. There are no foul smells that I can notice. It smells very sweet.

Did you rack yours after 2-1/2 to 3 weeks, or did you let it clarify with the oranges in the original jug? I racked mine to get it off the lees and oranges.

I thought mine tasted pretty alcoholly too. It left a weird aftertaste in the back of my throat.

I'd definitely be interested in hearing how yours turns out as it ages.

I'm just now drinking the JAO that I started last March. It's been in the bottle a few months. It's still a bit hot, but tastes good. I put it into 750ml bottles, so I only have a couple left which I will probably hang on to for a while to see how it mellows (my first mead attmept)

Dave

Wow, nearly 2 years and still hot alcohol taste? I am nowhere near patient enough for mead apparently.

I will stick to ales.