Thanks to jimmack for sharing this at Paul’s place last night - pours a thick light gold - it has a gentle aroma for something so strong - a lot of herbal character and raw wildflower honey, along with some oak and vanilla character - the flavor has apparent vanilla, bourbon and oak, but it isn’t overpowering, and actually works well with the flowery aspect and honey sweetness - despite how sweet it is, it never becomes cloying - strong alcohol without being boozy - an all around great mead.

Bottle generously shared by Jinmack at BCTC on Saturday morning, 7/21/07
Very lovely, clear burnished copper tints on a light amber background. Very thick legs.
Just a stupefying aroma. Not tannic/harsh or overly dry but it pulls from the whiskey elements of spice, cola, smoke and clove/cinnamon while weaving the sweet honey notes in to it to create one of the most unique and enjoyable aromas I’ve found on a mead. Vanilla, light oak tartness upon warming and some typical medicinal/smokey phenols for balance, from the honey fermentation. I sat and smelled it for a looooong time before having a sip. Really lush, powerful aroma, but not overpowering or overdone. Alcohol is very well concealed for its strength.
Some smokier, more subdued and earthy bourbon flavors are smattered about the honey flavor, which is quite sweet and succulent, though not cloying. Caramel, sweet molasses and brown sugar, with salty toffee and earthy wood notes all give quite a "heavy" flavor profile and some of the lightness of the honey is lost, and thus the drinkability. But yet, the mead is certainly not too sweet/sticky/syrupy, nor does the alcohol express itself much. In fact probably a little more alcohol dryness/perfuminess would even be welcomed. Vanilla, dark fruits and some light black pepper/anise phenols trail off on the finish. Incredible stuff. I am not a big fan of Jadwiga, yet I thought this was quite different and much more subtle/drinkable.