I'm also somewhat concerned about how my mead is progressing.
I started on: 4/4/2017
with:
2 packets of lalvin D47
4 gal h20
18lb wildflower honey
2.5tsp energizer
5tsp nutrient
for a total of 5 gal.
The hydrometer read around 15% alcohol content and SG of around 1.115
This was fermented in a "5" gal (little larger than that) bucket with a double airlock.
I let it sit until 4/22/2017 so roughly 2 1/2 weeks and by this time the airlock was bubbling approx. every 1 min.
Did a second hydrometer reading and got a FG of 1.010. so roughly 15% alcohol content. I'd assumed from what I read that and after doing the math that primary fermentation had pretty much ended by this point.
I then transferred to a 6.5 gal carboy and topped it off with 1 gal of h20.
Once I'd transferred it I noticed very little lees left behind on the bottom of the bucket. (maybe like a millimeter or 2 of dead yeast at the bottom.)
It's been 5 days since secondary racking and I've noticed that it has cleared quite a bit compared to right after racking and there's roughly 3/4 in of lees now at the bottom of the carboy. The airlock is bubbling every minute pretty much on the dot.
I've read that you don't want to keep the accumulated lees in with your mead due to the off flavors it can produce but I've been having a really hard time trying to nail down specifics. (everyone seems to think something different).
I also plan on letting this sit for several months to let it age but I don't want to leave an inch of lees at the bottom if it will end up ruining the taste.
I have a secondary batch that I've started with more or less the same values (the good orange blossom honey this time) So I'd like to nail down any mistakes I might have made before that second batch is ready to rack.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
EDIT: I don't plan on back sweetening as when I took a sample for my hydrometer reading I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and drank it and enjoyed the taste (kind of like a heavy wine) which I'm sure will taste lighter once the mead has completely cleared.
The energizer and nutrient were all added into the must and mixed prior to adding the re-hydrated D47. I haven't added anything to it other than the gallon of spring water to top it off once racking to the carboy.
After some intense searching I realized I probably should have left my mead at primary fermentation for a bit longer due to the way this yeast works as well as kept it a bit cooler (temp ranged from 66-70F)
Second times the charm, there's a reason I used the not-so-good honey as my first time ferment
I did just pour some off to recheck the FG and it's now around 1.005.
It definitely has a mild alcohol smell to it but more of a mild sweet smell. After several sips (a finger or two) I can already feel the buzz, about on par with drinking half a glass of wine.
The taste is sweet at first but not enough to cover the alcohol taste which hits strong at first but tapers off within a few seconds of passing the pallet. (much like a strong white wine) The vapors also give off a somewhat strong aroma after passing the pallet but leave quite quickly. I'm guessing this will eventually smooth out with age? Also, as I noticed through the glass carboy, it has significantly cleared and thinned (which I'm guessing explains all of the yeast at the bottom). There is no yeast settling at the bottom of the glass like there was when I first racked it off. I wouldn't say it is corona clear but it definitely is halfway there.
Now if you've stuck with me through all of this I have only three questions that really need answering (although any other helpful comments are welcome):
1. I read that with d47 strain, the lees can sit for about a month before the mead should be poured off. What are your thoughts folks?
2. From my description, is the current product on the correct course or did I screw up someplace?
3. Since I racked at 1.010 and it is now around 1.005, I know I should continue to monitor SG readings every couple weeks until stable. I know this is more of a primary fermentation question but since I've already racked it off, should I continue to do this or should I just consider myself in secondary and allow it to further clarify and at some point rack to a tertiary carboy once enough lees has accumulated and only recheck SG several times prior to bottling?
Thank you for any insights you can share! As a scientist this is such a fun hobby, even when/if I've screwed up