The only other time I've ever had actual mead, it was something I tried to make myself and failed miserably at. This stuff is much better.

Located in Sunnyvale, CA, Rabbit's foot is one of the few commercial meaderies in the country. They have a bunch of different meads with fruits and spices and whatnot at the meadery, but I haven't been there yet. Today I spotted the Dry Mead and the Sweet Mead at a Whole Foods and thought I'd try the Sweet.

The honey flavor is very much there, but at twelve percent ABV it takes on a very "winey" character. The flavor is much more delicate than most wines however, and the alcohol really cuts through. There is, in the nose and on the palate, a certain alcoholic "burn" that reminds me of nothing as much as a really clean, well-done moonshine. I guess I could describe the flavor as being somewhat like if someone mixed a bunch of honey with some moonshine and a rich buttery California Chardonnay. It's very different, and it's very good.

Sounds like something you'd have to aquire a taste for.
I've never had moonshine, but I'm guessing that it's very strong.

No, I think it's very easy to like. The "moonshine" element is just in the way the alcohol presents itself on the palate. Actual moonshine is very different, this just has a certain aspect about it that reminds me of moonshine.

Moonshine, BTW, when properly done is actually surprisingly smooth.

I sound ignorant about this, because I am... is it sweet?

Mead? This one is. It's made to have a high amount of residual(unfermented) sugar, which makes it sweet and gives it a stronger honey flavor. Same idea as with champagne, basically.

But this stuff is way, way better than any champagne I've ever had.