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Archive for February, 2020

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Review: Sheringham Kazuki Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 20, 2020

Sheringham Distillery is located in Sooke B.C., a locale which overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Southern Vancouver Island. The name ‘Sheringham” is an homage to the name original name given to the area in 1846. When the first postal service arrived and the first Post Office was built, the name Sheringham was shortened to ‘Shirley’ so that it would fit properly on the postage stamp. (The Distillery was originally located at Shirley B.C which is about 20 minutes north of Sooke.)

The distillery produces two gins, Sheringham Seaside Gin which is a traditional juniper forward gin with a unique Island twist. They also produce the Kazuki Gin which brings an oriental flair to the Sheringham style. Sheringham Distillery also has an award winning Akvavit, and has began to bottle whisky as well (Red Fife, and Woodhaven).

The Modern Gin Cocktail

Sheringham Kazuki Gin is produced from B.C. grown white wheat and malted barley. Traditional botanicals are paired with Cherry blossom petals (imported from Japan) as well as premium yuzu peel,  and green tea leaves and flowers from Westholme Tea Farm in Cowichan Valley. It is meant to be a sort of East meets West gin with a mix of traditional and exotic botanicals.

Here is a link to my full Review:

Review: Sheringham Kazuki Gin

“… Alongside the juniper were spicy scents reminiscent of coriander and ginger which I suppose represent the tradition botanicals within Kazuki. However, there was also an exotic flair which evoked quite a response from my tasting group …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my serving suggestion, the Modern Gin Cocktail.

Chimo!

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Review: Montelobos Mezcal Joven

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 19, 2020

Montelobos Mezcal Joven is an artisanal mezcal made in Santiago Matatlán Oaxaca. The mezcal is crafted by Montelobos agave expert Iván Saldaña according to his vision and passion for agave and with respect for traditional production methods. Montelobos which means mountain of wolves is an unaged mezcal produced from 100 % organic Highland Espadin agave (sourced in Santiago Matalán Oaxaca). Espadin is a different variety in the agave family than what is used to make tequila (which uses the Blue Webber variety).

This agave is prepared in the traditional way which includes fire pit roasting for 5 to 7 days, followed by crushing the roasted agave by a mule drawn stone tohona wheel, after which the released juice is allowed to ferment naturally. Then the distilled agave juice is distilled in small wood fire copper pots.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Montelobos Mezcal Joven

“… The ‘highland’ agave characteristic is apparent when I nose the glass as I notice similar zesty citrus and pepper notes which we commonly associate with Highland tequila. These peppery notes are somewhat milder than I was expecting allowing me to notice the more earthy agave which lies underneath …”

Please enjoy the review which includes two cocktail suggestions, the Montelobos Picador, and (in an homage to the 80’s rock group Red Rider) As Far As Cyan.

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Review: Burwood Honey Rhum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 18, 2020

The Burwood Distillery is a small craft distillery founded by Jordan Ramey, Marco Cilic, and Ivan Cilic located in Calgary Alberta (4127 6th Street N.E). The Distillery includes a restaurant and Cocktail Lounge which offers a casual environment to enjoy the not only the distilleries fine spirits but also locally sourced farm-to-table menu items.

At Burwood, the focus is upon locally grown raw materials brought from the farm straight to the glass. The barley they use is grown and malted in Alberta by Rahr Malting Company of Alix, AB. Their honey comes from Ivan and Marko’s Father’s honeybees just outside of Chestermere, AB and through Greidanus Honey Mill in High River, AB. The team hand-crushes every grain, hand-scoops every ounce of honey, distills every drop of liquid, and bottles and packages it all in their Calgary facility.

According to the distillery, Burwood Honey Rhum is an Albertan spin on classic Sugar Cane Rum. A 100% Honey product produced from product from their own family farm. The spirit is finished with a dash of caramelized honey for extra dimensions of flavour.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Burwood Honey Rhum

“… The flavours from the nose translate well, although the spirit is perhaps more herbal than I anticipated. Not that I am complaining, the herbal grassy flavour which underlies the honey and caramel sweetness is welcome. Some pungent spiciness is apparent as well, some ginger, hints of cinnamon as well as a sort of earthy quality that is almost like licorice root and angelica …”

Please enjoy the review which concludes with my cocktail suggestion, Easy.

Chimo!

Note: I take exception to the use of the word ‘Rhum’ on the label. This is a mead spirit and should be proudly labeled as such. Distillate of spirit from honey, bears only a passing resemblance to sugar cane rum and as the word ‘rum’ is defined in Canadian Regulations to include only sugar cane or sugar cane products (here), in a bilingual country the defined term rightly includes it French spelling as well.

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Review: Perth Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 16, 2020

Top Shelf Distillers are located in Perth, a town in Eastern Ontario, located on the Tay River, about 80 kilometres southwest of Ottawa. At one time, Perth was home to four distilleries the two most famous of which (McLaren and Spalding & Stewart) were located in limestone buildings alongside the Tay River catering to the tastes of the early Scottish settlement by producing malt whisky similar to the Scottish style of the day. Prohibition (the Ontario Temperance Act of 1916) is largely blamed for the demise of the distilling industry in Perth; but now, just over one hundred years later, Top Shelf Distillers have began to once again bottle whisky in Perth.

Their Perth Whisky is a recent release and they have only limited quantity available, (35 cases currently in the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Control (AGLC) warehouse in a 500ml format bottle). They have also began to bottle the spirit in a 750ml format, and one of those bottles was sent to me for review. According to the information given to me, Perth Whisky is produced from from locally sourced ingredients, and is aged in both new American Oak charred barrels, as well as various used barrels from some of the larger distillers.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Perth Whisky

“… I like the leathery smells which remind me of both fresh leather and graham wafers. Light baking spice and almond round out the aroma, which while not being overly complex, nevertheless promises a robust grain flavour …”

Please enjoy my review of Top Shelf Distillers brand new Perth Canadian Whisky!

Chimo!

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Review: Wilson and Morgan Glen Elgin 1988 – 30 Year Old Single Malt

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 15, 2020

Wilson and Morgan is an independent bottler of Scotch Whisky based in Italy. The company was founded in 1992 by Fabio Rossi who also founded Rum Nation. Wilson and Morgan specialize in single grain and single malt whiskies which have been purchased by the barrel from selected Scottish distillers.

Wilson and Morgan Glen Elgin 30 Year Old Single Malt (1988) was distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2018. The whisky is part of Wilson and Morgan’s Special Release Barrel Selection of whiskies which don’t exactly neatly fit into their other range categories. Usually “one of a kind” encounters, these whiskies are unique but with no strict rules in terms of age, strength, type of casks and finishing.

The Glen Elgin Distillery (currently owned by Diageo) was the last distillery to be built during the boom years of the 1890s. The whisky produced at Glen Elgin is a key component of the White Horse brand, a blended whisky which is exported to over 200 countries worldwide.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Wilson and Morgan Glen Elgin 30 Year Old Single Malt (1988)

“… Oak sap and a firm sherry character have wrapped around each other with neither one dominating, but neither one submitting to the other either. Dry fruit (raisin, apricots, prunes, and dates) and bright citrus flavours combine with fudgy chocolate and dark black coffee …”

Please enjoy my review of this wonderful single malt from Wilson and Morgan.

Chimo!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Wilson and Morgan Glen Elgin 1988 – 30 Year Old Single Malt

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