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Review: One Barrel 5 Year Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 9, 2013

SAM_0825 One Barrel 5 YearsTravellers’ One Barrel 5 year Rum is the new name given to the rum formerly known a 5 Barrel Rum. Apparently the name was changed due to trademark issues which arose as the brand began to penetrate new markets. This a premium aged rum brand produced in Belize, (the northernmost mainland country of Central America). Belize is a former British Colony, and lies just south of Mexico with the Caribbean Sea to the east and Guatemala to the west and south. The producer of the One Barrel Rum brand, Travellers Liquors Limited, has been involved in the production of  rum in Belize since the early 1960′s originally working with independent distillers. In 1989, Travellers acquired full control of their own distillery, and they have remained in full control of their own brands ever since.

The One Barrel 5 Year Rum is made from locally grown Belize sugar cane. According to the Travellers website, this cane is cut and crushed in a manner which retains its natural flavors, and the all of the rum is aged in Kentucky oak barrels for a full 5 years. It is blended to be a full-bodied rum with the well-rounded taste which results from oak barrel aging.

SAM_0826 Ruby Rum MartinezRecently, I was given a bottle of the newly labelled rum by a representative of Travellers Liquor Canada for the purpose of spreading the news about the new labeling, and to announce the release of the rum in my home market of Alberta. I decided to give the bottle the full treatment of a new review as one never knows when labels change, if the blend has changed as well.

You may click on the following excerpt to read the new review:

Review: One Barrel 5 Year Rum

“… The immediate nose is filled with rich toffee, butterscotch and tobacco. Oak spices and vanilla waft out of the glass and bits of sandalwood are riding in the breezes. As I let the glass breathe, the tobacco and the oak scents deepened. I notice a firm sense of ginger spice …”

Of course I could not resist suggesting a new cocktail at the end of review, the Ruby Rum Martinez!

Please enjoy my latest review.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: One Barrel 5 Year Rum

GLENFIDDICH PARTNERS WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 8, 2013

14272 GF 15 YO WW Tround MockOn June, 2013 Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch announced that $2.00 from every bottle sold of Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Whisky in Canada would be donated to benefit Canadian Forces Members as part of their continued support for Wounded Warriors Canada. In honour of the ongoing partnership, Glenfiddich has changed its regular packaging throughout 2013 and beyond in recognition of the donation program to help raise awareness and funds for Wounded Warriors Canada.

You may read more here:

GLENFIDDICH PARTNERS WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA

_____________________________________________________________

(Once in a while I receive a press release that attracts my attention and I feel it is worthwhile to republish the information here upon my website. I do not know quite how I missed this one last month, but it certainly is worth bringing to everyone’s attention. Wounded Warriors Canada is a great organization who is trying to help our Canada Forces Members who have suffered injury while protecting our freedom and the freedom of other people around the Globe. The members of the Canadian Armed Forces are true heroes walking the fine line of serving Canada while respecting the rights of other nations and cultures. I am proud to bring awareness to Wounded Warriors Canada through this posting, and my hope is that many of you read the article and in some way support Wounded Warriors Canada or a similar organization which exists in your locale.)

Posted in Howls, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on GLENFIDDICH PARTNERS WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA

Review: Crown Royal Maple Finished™ Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 7, 2013

maple-bottleCrown Royal Canadian Whisky is produced in Gimli, Manitoba, at the Crown Royal Distillery. The distillery and the brand are owned by the spirits conglomerate, Diageo, and I think it is fair to say that Crown Royal is Diageo’s flagship Canadian Whisky brand. About a year ago Crown Royal Maple Finished™ Canadian Whisky was introduced as an addition to the Crown Royal family of whiskies. This is as far as I know the first flavoured whisky ever produced by Crown, and it presents itself as a Maple Finished™’ rather than maple flavoured.

Going through the Crown Royal Website (and the press materials I could find), I found very little information on the maple finish except one comment which stated that the master blender for Crown Royal had

“finished our celebrated whisky with maple toasted oak to yield a uniquely smooth experience. It’s a perfect blend of Crown Royal’s signature caramel and vanilla nose with the elegant aromas of light, fresh maple that creates a flavour profile that finished on an authentically warm and woody note.”

Last fall, my friend Lukasz brought over a bottle of Crown Royal Maple and allowed me to steal a sample (which I kept in a small sealed glass bottle). I finally made time to taste and assess the sample earlier this week.

You may click on the following excerpt (link) to read the full review:

Review: Crown Royal Maple Finished™ Canadian Whisky

“… The flavoured whisky has a lightly thickened consistency relative to the regular Crown Royal Whisky, but it is not nearly so thick as the other maple flavoured whiskies I have tasted recently. The initial aroma from my glass brings forward impressions of maple of course, with noticeable vanilla scents as well as what I will say is an ‘odd’ spiciness …”

Enjoy the review and have a great day!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Flavoured Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Crown Royal Maple Finished™ Canadian Whisky

Review: Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Spiced Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 6, 2013

SAM_0642 Dock 57Canadian Club has recently expanded their whisky line-up to include a flavoured whisky (Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Blackberry), and a new spiced whisky, (Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Spiced). According Tish Harcus, Canadian Club Brand Ambassador and Curator of the Historical Archives at the Canadian Club Heritage Centre in Walkerville, Ontario,

“C.C.’s new innovations will take the brand to the next level both for consumers new to whisky and more seasoned whisky drinkers who are seeking bolder flavour profiles and some spice. “

The Dock No. 57 branded whiskies are bottled at full strength (40 % alcohol by volume) ensuring that the full flavour of the Canadian Club whisky remains a strong component of the flavour profile. Last Spring, at a tasting event of mine, my friend Dennis brought over a bottle. I decided that this was a good opportunity to receive some feedback from my friends and a few months later, I did some more tasting and sampling and cobbled together this review.

You may click on the following excerpt to read the full review:

Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Spiced Whisky

“… I notice some nice honey and vanilla accents as well as some a pungent spiciness reminiscent of ginger and nutmeg. Some dry fruit is hinted at (dark cherries mainly) as is some dark pipe tobacco. I like the overall mixture, and I like that it is the whisky aroma which leads the parade of scents into the air …”

My suggested cocktail for this spiced whisky, is my new recipe, the Spiced Northern Julep. Take care everyone and have a great day!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Spiced Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Spiced Whisky

Review: Old Monk Very Old Vatted XXX Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 3, 2013

SAM_0815 Old MonkOld Monk is a dark rum produced by Mohan Meakin Limited in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. According to the information I received, it is a molasses distilled rum, blended and aged for a minimum of 7 years. The brand receives very little attention from the press, and does not appear to be represented in any advertising campaigns which I have seen. Rather Old Monk relies upon word of mouth and customer loyalty for its sales. Word of mouth must be good as this rum is (again according to information I received) the largest selling well-aged dark rum in the world.

(Note: India is a huge market for rum, and there is only a small presence of foreign brands on the sub-continent. Based solely upon sales in the home market, this would certainly be a believable statement.)

I was sent a sample bottle of Old Monk Very old Vatted XXX Rum by the local Alberta distributor, Madira Spirits Inc. and asked if I could provide a review here on my website. I was more than happy to oblige.

You may click on the following excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Old Monk Very Old Vatted XXX Rum

“… As the glass sits the aroma in the air deepens as the brown sugar and baking spices evolve into a scents of licorice stained molasses. Hints of soy sauce and exotic spice wanders into the air with sugar covered walnuts and pecans sitting underneath. I thoroughly enjoy nosing the glass …”

Of course I could not resist adding a couple of cocktails at the end of the review, the Monk’s Uncle and a Dark Rum and Cola designed for sipping.

Enjoy!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Old Monk Very Old Vatted XXX Rum

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