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Archive for December, 2011

Review: StrathIsla 40 Year Old (Gordon and MacPhail)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 29, 2011

Gordon and Macphail (who own the Benromach Distillery) is an independent family owned and managed firm which acts as a retailer, a wholesaler, an exporter, and a bottler of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This particular whisky, the StrathIsla 40 Year Old Single Malt from Gordon and MacPhail is of course sourced from the Strathisla Distillery which is in the City (town) of Kieth, in the County of Banff, and is located in the Speyside region of Scotland. According to the Gordon and Macphail website, the whisky was drawn from aged stocks of first fill and refill Sherry casks.

I opened my bottle of this whisky last June when my beloved Boston Bruins won their first Stanley Cup in 39 years. Over the course of the summer (and this fall), I have slowly sipped and sampled away about half of my bottle, and I finally decided that a review was in order.

Here is an excerpt from that review:

“… I encountered a bit of floral peat welling up into the breezes with a strong smoky influence of dried fruit. This aroma is full of prunes and dates, and has a rather subdued oaky backdrop. The aroma is a little demanding, but not unpleasant…”

Review: StrathIsla 40 Year Old (Gordon and MacPhail)

Please enjoy the Review!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: StrathIsla 40 Year Old (Gordon and MacPhail)

Review: Traveller’s White Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 22, 2011

Traveller’s White Rum is another product of Traveller’s Liquors Limited. This is the second White Rum in their portfolio and is designed to be a full-bodied white rum suitable for bringing robust character into the cocktail experience.

I was given a bottle of Traveller’s White Rum by Blake Christensson of Traveller’s Liquor Canada for the purpose of this review:

“…The Traveller’s White Rum has a clean mouth-feel with a light softness in the mouth. The caramel/butterscotch flavour of the rum is mild, and to be honest the first sip of rum continues to give me a tequila-like impression. (Don’t worry rum drinkers, there is none of that hot pepper that tequila is famous for.) The flavour impression I do receive on the palate is lightly earthy and somewhat grassy, with the rum carrying very light dollops of citrus flavour and lime zest…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Traveller’s White Rum

I have included a couple of nice cocktails with the review including the Rum and Tonic, and the Mojito.

Please enjoy my review and the included cocktails, cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Traveller’s White Rum

Review: Cristal Parrot Lite Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 20, 2011

Cristal Parrot Lite Rum is a product of Belize, the northern-most mainland country of Central America. A former British Colony, Belize lies just south of Mexico with the Caribbean Sea to the east and Guatemala to the west and south. Traveller’s Liquors Limited has been involved in the production of rum in Belize since the early 1960s originally working with independent distillers. In 1989 Travellers acquired full control of their own distillery and has remained in full control of their own brands ever since.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The aroma from the glass carries a soft rummy caramel accented by cotton candy and perhaps a hint of mint. It is lightly vegetal indicating to me that very little if any aging has occurred. If you give the glass a little time to decant, the aroma turns slightly grassy and the caramel notes build up slightly.  Things are pleasant …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Cristal Parrot Lite Rum

Included in the review are a couple of nice cocktails including my own, Red Sky Morning.

Please enjoy the review and the suggested cocktails!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Cristal Parrot Lite Rum

Introducing White Owl Spiced Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 18, 2011

The guys at Highwood Distillery are at it again. In 2010 they broke all the rules, (and a few sales records too) when they introduced their premium aged White Owl Whisky (a clear Canadian Whisky which is aged up to 10 years). To say this product was s success is a vast understatement, as the only problem that surfaced with respect to the White Owl Whisky was that Highwood could not make it fast enough to satisfy the demand across Canada.

As I said, they are at it again. Highwood has just introduced White Owl Spiced Whisky. While other distillers are producing young brown whisky and using the spice to smooth out the flavour. Highwood is taking the other road, using a well aged clear whisky, and then using the spice to add a little depth and polish to an already smooth spirit.

I was sent a sample bottle of this new whisky, and here is an excerpt from my review:

“…I really like what I am sensing on the nose, and during one of my tasting sessions when I had invited my friend Lucasz to join me I discovered I was not the only one who really liked it. We both sat in our chairs for a good ten minutes just enjoying the subtle soft aroma of the spiced whisky smiling and exchanging those knowing glances of anticipation as we both relished the scents above our glasses…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: White Owl Spiced Whisky

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Introducing White Owl Spiced Whisky

Review: Northern Lights Eggnog

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 17, 2011

Northern Lights Eggnog is a new rum based premix from Highwood Distillers. Highwood produced 500 cases for the Western Canadian market this Christmas, and I was given a sample bottle by the distillery to sample at my leisure (and to provide feedback to the distillery).

I have been told by the distillery that Northern Lights Eggnog is produced with real rum from the distillery (their Highwood Brand) and uses (as much as possible) authentic natural ingredients. I admit I was very curious and I thought it would be fun to do an ‘official’ review here on the website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…I am quite pleased by what I see after I pour myself a little of the premixed eggnog into my glass. This looks rich and creamy in the glass and the ‘eggnog’ aroma has a nice firm imprint of rum and a nice mild spiciness. The vanilla is obvious and I sense hints of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, but, none of the spices seem overpowering or out of balance. This is going to be an easy-going eggnog as far as spiciness is concerned and one in which the rum is allowed to flourish in the mix….”

Here is a link to my full review and my suggesting serving, Northern Lights Eggnog Supreme:

Review: Northern Lights Eggnog

Please enjoy the review and the festive season!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Cream Liqueur, Extras, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Premix, Rum | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Northern Lights Eggnog