My $0.02 worth... a good mead is a good mead. If somebody wants to try to replicate what was in Schmuglyl's mug 6 or 7 hundred years ago, more power to 'em. The history of mead making seems to be spread out across both chronology and geography to such an extent that you could probably put just about anything in the pot and have it similar to somebody's ancient recipe. Its an interesting study in armchair gastroarchaeology, and I'm all for experimentation. Hell, just as if people didn't try new things there wouldn't be hardly any progress a'tall, if people didn't try old things there wouldn't be any appreciation at all. My ears don't perk up until I hear/read "oh man, ya gotta try this one!". <ggg>