Dansk Mjod Viking Blod 750ML is a 19% ABV oak-aged metheglin-style mead from Denmark, blending wildflower honey with hibiscus, hops, and ginger. Scoring 89/100 from Wine-Searcher's critic review and holding a 4.0 rating across more than 25,500 Untappd reviews, Viking Blod has earned a devoted following among mead enthusiasts worldwide.Quick Facts: ABV: 19% | Origin: Billund, Jutland, Denmark | Style: Metheglin (Spiced Mead) | Producer: Dansk MjødProduction & HeritageDansk Mjød has been producing artisan meads on the outskirts of Billund in Denmark's Jutland region since 1994. The company develops its own proprietary brewing equipment, a distinction that contributes to a production style the meadery describes as "totally unique." Viking Blod is fermented from wildflower honey, then infused with hibiscus and ginger before spending six months aging in oak barrels with hops — a technique that borrows from both brewing and winemaking traditions to create a mead that defies easy categorization.Tasting NotesAroma: Wildflower honey leads the nose, followed by tart hibiscus florals and a subtle cherry-like fruitiness. A faint hop presence and warm spice round out the aromatics, giving it a layered, inviting complexity.Taste: The entry is rich and sweet with bold honey, quickly balanced by tangy hibiscus that pulls the palate toward a drier mid-section. Ginger warmth builds gradually, while the hop character introduces a gentle, almost beer-like bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. Several tasters have compared the overall impression to a good Madeira, noting a similar interplay of sweetness and oxidative depth from the oak aging.Finish: The finish is warming and moderately long, with hoppy dryness and lingering spice. Residual honey sweetness fades slowly beneath hibiscus tartness and a subtle woody character from the barrel aging.How to Drink Viking BlodViking Blod is best served slightly chilled — around 55–60°F — in a tulip glass or small wine glass that concentrates its complex aromatics. Its 19% ABV and viscous body also make it a strong candidate for sipping neat after dinner, much like a dessert wine or fortified wine. For cocktails, try it in a Mead Mule, where the ginger in Viking Blod amplifies fresh ginger beer; a Hibiscus Spritz, combining it with sparkling water and a citrus twist for a lighter aperitif; or a Nordic Old Fashioned, where it replaces simple syrup alongside aquavit, adding floral honey depth and natural sweetness.Best For Gifting a craft beverage enthusiast who has tried everything else Pairing with a cheese and charcuterie spread at a dinner party Exploring mead as a serious category beyond novelty Renaissance faire offerings After-dinner sipping as a dessert wine alternative Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Viking Blod taste like? Viking Blod delivers rich wildflower honey sweetness tempered by tart hibiscus, gentle ginger warmth, and a hoppy dryness from oak aging. The overall effect has been compared to a good Madeira, balancing sweetness with complexity.How does Viking Blod compare to Redstone Meadery meads? Redstone Meadery produces lighter, fruit-forward meads that generally sit in the 12–14% ABV range and emphasize clean varietal honey character. Viking Blod is considerably bolder at 19% ABV, with its hibiscus, ginger, and hop infusion creating a more layered, spiced profile that leans closer to fortified wine territory.Is Viking Blod good for mead beginners? Viking Blod is approachable despite its strength, because the hibiscus tartness and hop bitterness prevent it from being cloyingly sweet — a common concern for newcomers. That said, its 19% ABV and intense flavor profile may be more rewarding for drinkers already comfortable with dessert wines or fortified styles.Where is Viking Blod made? Viking Blod is produced by Dansk Mjød, located on the outskirts of Billund in the Jutland region of Denmark. The meadery has been operating since 1994 and uses proprietary equipment developed in-house.What foods pair well with Viking Blod? Strong blue cheeses like Danish Blue or Roquefort match its sweetness and tartness. Roasted duck with a fruit glaze complements the hibiscus and honey notes. Spiced gingerbread or honey cake echoes the mead's ginger warmth. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao stands up to its bold body. Smoked salmon benefits from the contrast between its brine and Viking Blod's floral sweetness.What sizes does Viking Blod come in? Viking Blod is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.Is Viking Blod worth the price? Viking Blod positions as a premium craft mead, priced above most commercially available meads and comparable to mid-range dessert wines. Its six-month oak aging, complex spice infusion, and 19% ABV place it in a category with few direct competitors, offering genuine value for drinkers seeking a serious mead experience.Why Viking Blod?Six months of oak barrel aging with hops sets Viking Blod apart from nearly every other commercially available mead on the market, introducing a structural dryness and woody complexity that most meads simply lack. Dansk Mjød's decision to build proprietary brewing equipment means no other producer replicates this exact process. The hibiscus and ginger additions move it firmly into metheglin territory — a centuries-old tradition of spiced mead — while the 19% ABV gives it the body and warmth of a fortified wine. For anyone exploring mead beyond the sweet, one-dimensional examples that dominate shelves, Viking Blod is a benchmark that demonstrates how far the category can reach.
