Archive for February, 2010
Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 28, 2010
In 1938 Industrias Pampero, C.A., a distillery in Venezuela was established. This distillery is reputed to be the first distillery in Venezuela to set the high standards for which Venezuelan Rum is now famous for. The Pampero brand is now controlled by Diageo, one of the largest liquor companies in the world, and Diageo is responsible for marketing and selling the Pampero Rums Wordwide.
Here is an excerpt from my Review:
In the glass the rum is dark, rich and inviting. A quick swirl reveals moderate legs trailing down the glass and brings scents of brown sugar (baking) spices to the fore. Heavy dark brown sugar, underlain with caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg and spicy oak tannin present a luxurious bouquet to the nose. Hints of tobacco and unfinished leather seem to come and go, and even a few tea leaves seemed scattered in the breezes. This is heady stuff.
Click on the following Link to read the full review:
As usual I have included a cocktail Suggestion or two. Enjoy!!
And I must give a big thank you to the Rum Chums who provided me with the sample to review. I really appreciate the help that the club has provided.
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Dark Rum, Pampero Rum, Rum, Rum Review, Venezuelan Rum | Comments Off on Rum Review: Pampero Anniversario Reserva Exclusiva
Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 26, 2010
Last week I took a little holiday from my regular routine and traveled 250 miles south to visit one of the last independent distillers of whisky in Canada. The trip took me 40 miles south of Calgary Alberta, to the town of High River, nestled beside the Rocky Mountains on the western edge of the prairies.
High River is a great little town full of bustle and western charm. I couldn’t resist the urge to spend a little time just driving through the town, visiting a few of the local businesses and taking in the atmosphere of the place and the people. What I found was a town of friendly people with a solid blue collar work ethic. They all seemed to bustling around doing something important. But in spite of this apparent busyness, they were more than happy to help me out with directions to the local sights and even willing to share a story or two about the local history.
Highwood Distillery is the only Albertan owned distillery in the world. It sits in the heart of the High River community, producing 300,000 cases of bottled spirits per year.
If you are interested in learning how Hiaghwood produces their whiskies, rums and vodkas, please click on the link provide for a full report on this uniquely Albertan Distliiery;
I want to thank the staff at Highwood Distillers for taking the time to provide me with such a nice day at their facilities. Look for future articles where I will review the samples of White Owl Whisky and Momento Rum which they provided me at the tours conclusion.
Posted in Distillery Tour, Howls | Tagged: Distillery Tour, Highwood Rum, Highwood Whisky, Rum, Whisky | Comments Off on Howling Highlight: Highwood Distillers
Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 24, 2010
Demerara County (in Guyana) is popular across the world for its rich, three hundred year history of rum production. Using a combination of old wooden stills in conjunction with modern stills and distilling techniques, Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL) has built a reputation for outstanding quality and consistent production. DDL is the currently the largest supplier of bulk Caribbean rums to Europe and North America.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“….instead of tasting like a typically sweet South American Rum, this has more of a Caribbean Island flavour profile with a hint of mildly bitter tobacco resting under the flavours and spices. I taste toasted notes of spicy oak, dry fruits (dates, figs and coconut), as well as a caramelized brown sugar. Although the rum is buttery, it is also slightly dry with a tea like flavour that asserts itself with the dryness…”
You can read the full review here:
As usual I have provided a nice cocktail of my own creation with the Review.
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Dark Rum, El Dorado Rum, Guyanese Rum, Rum, Rum Review | Comments Off on Rum Review: El Dorado 5 Yr Cask Aged Rum
Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 19, 2010
The Earthquake which struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 has had, (and continues to have), a devastating impact on the Nation of Haiti as a whole. Reports are very contradictory as far as the impacts towards the rum industry which is a major player in the overall economy of Haiti. In fact it is believed that the rum industry must be one of the major driving forces to supply jobs and income to help the country rebuild. With that in mind I decided to review the Barbancourt 8 Yr Old Haitian Rhum such that anyone so inclined to support the rebuilding of Haiti by purchasing one of their export products would have an idea of whether such an idea would be solely an act of charity or whether the purchase would be worthwhile entirely on its own merit.
I am happy to report that the rhum is very nice and will in the future be a staple of my rum cabinet. Here is an excerpt from my review:
“Upon my tongue the rum feels mildly soft and buttery. In fact I believe I can taste butter alongside the light brown sugar. For spices there is only light hints of cinnamon and oak tannin which begins to taste like anise and orange peel as I let it sit in my mouth. The spiciness is very mild.”
You can read the full review here:
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Barbancourt Rum, Cocktails and Recipes, Dark Rum, Haitian Rum, Rhum Agricole, Rum, Rum Review | Comments Off on Review: Barbancourt 8 Yr Old Haitian Rhum
Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 17, 2010
I have completed my third review of the Crown Royal Family of Canadian Whiskies. With the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 we have one of the truly great Canadian Whiskies. A blend of over 50 individual whiskies, (all of them well aged), and the ‘piece de resistance’ , the final blend is refinished in french oak cognac casks. While I was reviewing the cask No. 16 I found it to be a huge leap forward in the Crown Royal Family. Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…The first sensation in my mouth was of an incredible softness that this whisky presents. It is almost chewy soft. A mellow corn whisky is up front on the palate, but rich soft butterscotch and caramel and sweet brown sugar sit under the corn flavour supporting and enhancing the experience. A nice spicy bite which has the hallmarks of pears and grapes grabs at the taste buds. Carrying all of this flavour forward is a wonderful mild oak presence that never dominates. The oak acts as it should, as a garnish which heightens the other flavours with its presence….”
You may read the full review and find my new cocktail recipe called Sweet No. 16 here:
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Cocktails and Recipes, Crown Royal, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Canadian Whisky
In 1938 Industrias Pampero, C.A., a distillery in Venezuela was established. This distillery is reputed to be the first distillery in Venezuela to set the high standards for which Venezuelan Rum is now famous for. The Pampero brand is now controlled by Diageo, one of the largest liquor companies in the world, and Diageo is responsible for marketing and selling the Pampero Rums Wordwide.
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