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Archive for May, 2012

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Review: Herencia de Plata (Blanco) Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 22, 2012

Herencia de Plata Blanco Tequila is a 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila produced by TEQUILAS DEL SEÑOR, S. A. DE C. V.,  a mid-sized, fourth generation family company located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The company was founded in 1943 and currently produces a number of tequila brands which include, Reserva del Señor, Sombrero, Tekali, Herencia Histórico, and of course Herencia de Plata.

A sample bottle was provided to me by Westway L. LTD., who is the importer of this spirit in my home province of Alberta, and it was presented at a Tequila tasting event which I held for several friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon in March. Of course after the tasting event, I put the bottle through the paces of my review methodology to provide a review here on my website as well.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The aroma from the glass is somewhat soft and earthy with hints of honey caressed by a very light smoke and even lighter vanilla. A smattering of white pepper and of zesty lime has risen into the breezes, and that punky agave scent we know so well has melted nicely into the citrus and pepper. The overall impression I receive from the glass is a clean, fresh, almost floral spirit which seems to entice me to have a sip …”

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Herencia de Plata (Blanco) Tequila

I have also created a nice recipe for this spirit called The Turquoise Lament.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail recipe I have provided, Cheers!

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Herencia de Plata (Blanco) Tequila

Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 20, 2012

Havana Club’s new Selección de Maestros Rum is an authentic Cuban rum that has recently replaced the Havana Club Barrel Proof in the portfolio of Havana Club Rums. It is my understanding that the Selección de Maestros is produced in the same manner as the Havana Club Barrel Proof, and any differences between the two rums are more a matter of normal variations in batch production than any real difference between the rums.

The rum undergoes a rather unique maturation process where it is first aged in old white oak barrels, and when the final rum is blended, it is then finished in specially ‘selected’ younger finishing casks. I have heard of this ‘Double Barrel’ approach with whisky, but the Havana Club Barrel Proof and now its replacement, the Selección de Maestros, is the first rum that I know of which uses older white oak maturation casks and then younger fresh oak finishing casks.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The immediate nose is of sweet toffee, with a nice complement of cinnamon. Nutmeg and cloves work their way into the breezes along with a little oak, some hot orange peel and a touch of green tobacco. As the glass sits, the aroma of toffee intensifies making the rum seem very attractive, which of course leads me to steal a sip …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

As well I have added a Cuba Libre’ Style cocktail for your enjoyment called, Cuban Cane Harvest.

Please Enjoy my review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

Introducing: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 19, 2012

Captain Morgan Rum has just expanded their range of spiced rums to include a new “Black” spiced rum. I suspect that the recent success of  the Kraken Black Spiced Rum has motivated a move in this direction in order to garner a segment of this market. Of course the launch of the Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum was accompanied with a slick media campaign which you are probably aware of already, but in case you are not, I shall relate a little of the information here.

The newest addition to the Captain Morgan Brand was apparently inspired by the story of Captain Morgan’s burial on the shores of Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica in 1688. As it was related to me, an earthquake struck Jamaica, just after the good Captain was buried. His casket was dislodged from its tomb and washed out to sea. It was never recovered, and to this day it has been suggested that perhaps his spirit lives on haunting the seas of the Caribbean searching for his lost remains. The imagery of the background story is captured in the bottle presentation. As the bottle empties, images of Captain Henry Morgan’s casket and skeleton are revealed inside the bottle on the backside of the front label.

In addition to the background story, the promotional information sent to me by the PR firm for Captain Morgan Rum tells me

  “Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum is a mature and carefully crafted spirit that is meant to be savored like a fine whiskey or enjoyed in a classic cocktail. We believe this bold, interesting and unexpected new offering has the potential to make Captain Morgan the preferred spirit among a segment of consumers we don’t currently reach with our existing portfolio.”

In keeping with that claim, the Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum was constructed from a base of Caribbean Blackstrap rum and selected ingredients which include clove spice and cassia bark (cinnamon). The rum was also finished in double charred blackened oak to add additional smoothness and character.

I have been told that this black spiced rum has a bold, edgy look and feel, and is considered to be a complete departure from the Original Spiced Rum. The marketing campaign and the rum are designed a to bring to life the darker, more mysterious side of the real-life brand icon, Captain Henry Morgan. Of course, I cannot confirm nor deny any of the claims as to the quality of the spirit or whether this rum is truly something different…, yet.

However, samples are on the way, and you can expect a detailed review soon after they arrive. In the meantime, perhaps you could enjoy my reviews of the rest of the Captain Morgan line-up:

BTW: Although I have not received my sample as yet, Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum is apparently already in stores now. If anyone has tried some, feel free to give me feedback.

Cheers everyone!

Posted in Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Introducing: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

Review: Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 18, 2012

Cognac Ferrand has long a history of providing Cognac Casks to various Caribbean rum producers based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Because of this long history Cognac Ferrand has over time developed solid relationships with many of these producers. Based upon these relationships Cognac Ferrand has been able to acquire certain unique batches of rum from various Caribbean sources. Typically these rums are brought back to France to be finished in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks.

The Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum  is Cognac Ferrand’s Tiki style overproof rum. The base rum is a column distilled rum from Trinidad which was aged in oak barrels in Trinidad before being transported to France.

Here is an excerpt from  my review:

“… Sipping the rum at full strength is a bit challenging to say the least. Yet when I did so, I was almost fond of the experience. I admit, I had to take it extremely easy as this rum carries an intense alcohol sting and assertive hot spices in its wake. The rich caramel toffee I noted on the nose was just as strong in the mouth, and the marmalade aroma I had sniffed earlier seems to have a lot of orange peel bite coming along with it for the ride. I spite of my admiration for the intense flavour, I decide that adding an ice-cube to the glass is probably a good thing …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum

As well I have included my latest recipe creation, Zombie Plantation! (pictured to the left)

Enjoy the review and the cocktail!

Posted in Howls | Comments Off on Review: Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum

FORTY CREEK PORT WOOD RESERVE – RESERVATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 17, 2012

It was announced on the Forty Creek Website about two weeks ago that the second edition of the FORTY CREEK PORT WOOD RESERVE will be released for sale in September, 2012. This whisky marks the sixth special release for the distillery, and there will be only 6,600 bottles of Port Wood available. (The first release sold out before any bottles left Ontario.) However you can reserve your own numbered bottle if you act before June 7th, as once again Forty Creek is offering Canadian Whisky connoisseurs the opportunity to reserve their own bottle number of Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve. Customers can reserve any number between 0003 and 6,600 (I have already reserved bottle numbers 128, 129 and 130).

The reservation opportunity for numbered bottles began on May 7, and will continue only until 5:00 p.m. on June 7, 2012. As always, the reserved bottles must be purchased and picked up at the Forty Creek Distillery in Grimsby, Ontario, on the scheduled release day for the whisky in September. The distillery is unable (due to provincial and federal regulations) to ship the reserved bottles in the mail or across provincial borders.

Bottles numbers are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Port Wood Reserve will retail for $69.95.

For more information about Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve and how to reserve your personally numbered bottles click here.

You may read my review of the original (first) edition of Portwood Reserve here (to date I believe this is John Hall’s finest Whisky):

My reviews for other Forty Creek Special Releases may be read here:

Cheers everyone!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

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