What is your favorite honey for a Show Mead?

Pennachi · 12-28-2011, 12:02 AM

I want to start a 6 gallon batch of show mead on Saturday.

I already have an orange blossom show and a blueberry blossom show in secondary.

Bonus points if you link to a good source that I could order from and receive by Saturday (probably Friday) or something within a reasonable driving distance of Wilmington, Delaware or Dover, Delaware.

I'll be using yeast energizer, nutrient and Lalvin 71B-1122

MedsenFey · 12-28-2011, 01:24 AM

Just to be technical, if you add nutrients and energizers it is not a "Show Mead" - that term being reserved for meads made with only yeast, honey and water. What you will be making is referred to as a traditional mead. Show meads are finicky and can be difficult to ferment without special care, so I'd encourage you to stick to the traditional and use the nutrients.

Try Bee Folks for some great honey (not cheap, but great).

As for varietals, Tupelo, sourwood, blackberry and raspberry can all make great traditionals. Many folks like Mesquite. Meadowfoam can be good, but I haven't been able to make it as a dry mead that I was happy with. YMMV.

Pennachi · 12-28-2011, 01:43 AM

My bad, I didn't realize added energizer and nutrients changed it from show to traditional..

gratus fermentatio · 12-28-2011, 10:57 AM

My fav is acacia honey. It's very floral & delicate, not a honey to make high ABV stuff.
A 12% show mead made with acacia honey is a VERY nice thing: goes down easy, floral, delicate, yet distinct in it's flavour.
The problem with acacia honey is that it's expensive & sometimes tough to find; the stuff I get is imported from France, but sourced in Hungary:
http://www.vitacost.com/St-Dalfour-Acacia-Honey?csrc=GPF-PA-084380959356&ci_sku=084380959356&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw= {keyword}
Regards, GF.

ExoticMeadMaker · 12-28-2011, 11:58 AM

I've had great success with blueberry blossom honey(better then orange blossom IMO). Honeylocator.com has a great filter for locating different varietals and distributors.