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Review: Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 2, 2016

Evan Williams SAM_1709Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a whiskey brand produced and bottled in Kentucky by Heaven Hill. This company refers to its entry-level whiskey as a ‘black label brand’, and as such it is meant to be the flag bearer of the Evan Williams line-up. The whiskey has no age statement, however the Evan Williams website tells us that it is aged longer than required by law. (Straight whiskeys must by law be aged for 2 years in new oak barrels; however, if they do not have an age statement they must be aged for 4 years. )

Here is a link to my review of the Evan Williams Black label Bourbon:

Review: Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon

“… The initial aroma is nice with scents of corn-syrup and maple mingling with oak and wood sap. There are also pungent spicy tobacco aromas, a gentle hay-like grassiness, a few indications of raisins, bits of orange peel, and a mild influences of canned apricots in the breezes. A light banana-like aroma is hinted at …”

Please Enjoy my review.

Chimo!

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If you are interested, here is a link to another of my whiskey reviews of the Evan Williams brand:

Posted in American Whiskey, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Review: Dulce Vida Organic Rocky Mountain (Añejo Tequila)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 31, 2016

Dulce Vida Rocky MountainDulce Vida Tequila is produced from 100% organic agave grown in the Los Altos highlands which are situated in the Tequila Region of Mexico. The company produces the only 100° proof, 100% organic tequila (also free from additives of any kind) in the world. As well as being 100% organic, their tequila is also produced in a manner which embraces the concept of sustainability.

Dulce Vida Organic Rocky Mountain Edition is produced from a special selection of barrels chosen by Dulce Vida’s Colorado State Manager which have rested in the light, crisp air of the Rocky Mountains’ high altitude and outdoor environment. The Añejo Tequila was aged in these single barrels in the Los Altos region of Jalisco at 1790 meters of altitude in the dry, crisp climate of San Ignacio Cerro Gordo near Arandas, also known as Tierra Colorada.

Here is a link to my review of this special Añejo Tequila:

Review: Dulce Vida Organic Rocky Mountain (Añejo Tequila)

“… The initial scents above the glass carry impressions of fine oak spices and sandalwood interspersed with wisps of butterscotch, honey and vanilla. As I inspected the breezes I soon noticed a very well-defined highland spiciness (white pepper and lime zest) coming forward which was accented very nicely with the light earthy aroma of agave fruit. Pineapple, pumpkin and baked squash all seem to be hinted at …”

Please enjoy my review which completes my examination of the Dulce Vida Range.

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Note: Here are links to my other reviews of Dulce Vida Spirits:

 

 

 

Posted in Anejo Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Dulce Vida Organic Rocky Mountain (Añejo Tequila)

Cocktail Hour: The Ice Wyrm

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 30, 2016

This recipe came about when I was choosing a suitable short cocktail for a particular Añejo tequila (shown below). I studied my previous cocktail creations and a cognac recipe of mine called the Medusa Coil caught my eye. That particular recipe is basically a sweetened Brandy Sour with added elements of Amaretto and bitters to give the serving extra dimensions of flavour. I thought to myself, I wonder if amaretto and tequila can share a harmonious coexistence?

Although this was a sour recipe, I wanted my chosen tequila (Dulce Vida Añejo Rocky Mountain) to shine through the bar drink so I decided to adjust the proportions of my agave based Medusa Coil by increasing the amount of Añejo Tequila and pairing back the Amaretto and the bitters both of which I felt might overpower the nuances of flavour in the Special Edition Dulce Vida. Things were not quite right until I also reined in the lemon and sugar as well.

The Dulce Vida Rocky Mountain Añejo Tequila was now the star of my cocktail. Do try this one, it tastes quite delicious.

Ice WyrmThe Ice Wyrm

2 oz Dulce Vida Rocky Mountain Añejo
1/8 oz Luxardo Amaretto
1/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 dash Fees Cocktail Bitters
1/8 oz Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio)
Lemon peel
ice

Add the first five ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a coil of lemon peel
Add a small lump of ice to the center of the lemon coil

Please Enjoy Responsibly!

If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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Originally, I was going to call my recipe, the Mexican Rattlesnake as my final recipe shared some characteristics with another bar drink called the Rattlesnake Cocktail. And, it did seem to me that the coil of lemon with the lump of ice in the middle (used as the garnish) sort of looked like a coiled up rattlesnake. However once I photographed my creation, I realized that no rattlesnake would ever survive our cold Edmonton winters. Then I remembered a fanciful creature that is said to haunt the ski slopes of our Canadian Rockies swallowing up those skiers who dare wander into the forbidden areas out of bounds, the Ice Wyrm. It seemed a more fitting name for the cocktail pictured upon my snowy back deck.

And please note, my review of the wonderful Dulce Vida Organic Rocky Mountain Añejo Tequila will publish tomorrow.

 

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Cocktail Hour: The Ice Wyrm

The Rum Howler Top 100 Spirits

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 29, 2016

Alberta Premium 25 Year Old SAM_1728I began working on my Rum Howler 2015 Top 100 Spirits list at the beginning of July last year, and put the final touches on it in early September. Fortunately, most of the spirits I would be including were in my possession as part of my growing collection of fine spirits, and I had an opportunity to re-taste some of them side by side with others of similar quality to ascertain their rankings. However, it was also true that a number of the spirits I was considering for inclusion were no longer in my possession. I (and my friends) had consumed them over time, and I had not (as yet) re-added them to my collection. In those cases I had to make a judgement call, and my rankings for those spirits were based purely upon the memory of my past indulgences (and my review scores).

Persons unfamiliar with my website should be aware that the primary spirits of interest to me are rum and whisky. Therefore my list is perhaps weighted in favour of those spirits which I particularly enjoy. However, I have manged to taste and review many excellent examples of all of the major classes of distilled spirits, and my Rum Howler 2015 Top 100 Spirits List does indeed include outstanding examples of each class (yes, even a few Vodkas).

Here is a link to my final list, The Best 100 Spirits I have ever tasted:

The Rum Howler 2015 Top 100 Spirits

 

Posted in Awards, Extras | Tagged: | Comments Off on The Rum Howler Top 100 Spirits

Review: Bacardi Gold Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 27, 2016

Bacardi GoldIn 1862, Facundo Bacardi and his brother José bought the Santiago de Cuba Distillery and began to distill what would become the most popular commercial rum in the world. Using a method of charcoal filtering, and oak barrel aging  along with a still of copper and cast iron, Facundo Bacardi created a smoother more refined version of the locally made rum. His smoother version of the spirit became local favourite, and over time, an international sensation.

The Bacardi Gold Rum is  produced using column still distillation and oak barrel aging (for one to two years). The final rum is further ‘shaped’ by filtering the aged rum through a secret blend of charcoal. This charcoal filtration helps to blunt some of the harsh flavour characteristics of a young rum. Along with Bacardi Superior White Rum, this spirit forms the backbone of Bacardi’s portfolio of brands which includes more than 200 different labels.

Here is a link to my latest review:

Review: Bacardi Gold Rum

“… The rum translates well from nose to palate. Leading out is a soft butterscotch flavour melded with banana and orange peel with a smattering of oak, cardamom and ginger spices following. Almond and vanilla ride along with hints of brown sugar spice and cinnamon …”

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on Review: Bacardi Gold Rum

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