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Review: Ragged Rock Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 26, 2012

Ragged Rock Rum is produced by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). It is apparently made  from the same 4 marques of Jamaican Rum which are used to produce their Famous Newfoundland Screech. I was  told that the treatment of these marques is slightly different, which could mean that they are blended in different proportions, or perhaps they are not aged for the same length of time in once used white oak bourbon barrel. (However by Canadian Law all rum, dark, white, spiced or otherwise, must be aged at least full year in oak barrels.) I was  told by a representative of the brand that I should consider the Ragged Rock to be an amber or lighter version of Screech Rum, and perhaps that is the most reasonable description to begin with.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… I poured a little rum into my glencairn glass, and began as I often do with a good look at the spirit. We have a pale amber spirit which leaves light sheen on the inside of the glass when I tilt and swirl it. A few legs form, but most of the oily sheen disappears back into the glass without fanfare. The initial aroma is one of butterscotch with light impressions of banana and orange peel. The rum smells simple and light in the glass light and not overly complex …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Ragged Rock Rum

I found the rum to be a great mixer and I have included a nice recipe for your enjoyment, the Ragged Dagger.

Please enjoy the review and my cocktail selection!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ragged Rock Rum

The Good Food Revolution Interviews The Rum Howler!

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 25, 2012

On my recent trip to Guyana, one of the members of our Canadian contingent was Jamie Drummond. Jamie is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution. Although born in Edinburgh, he is now based in Toronto where he acts as a Sommelier, a food consultant, writer, judge, and educator. If you are interested in Good Food, Jamie is your all round Good Guy.

During the trip when we were relaxing at Baganara Island, he did a little video interview with me. He combined the interview with some footage from the trip and published it on The Good Food Revolution last Friday.

(Clicking on the picture below will take you to The Good Food Revolution where you can see Jamie Drummond’s interview of The Rum Howler (set to music))!

As you can see from the footage, Jamie had video camera running all the time (even when we were not expecting it).

Enjoy the Good Food Revolution Everyone!

Cheers!

Posted in Howls, Interviews, Rum | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on The Good Food Revolution Interviews The Rum Howler!

Review: De la Tierre (Maple Liqueur Tequila)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 24, 2012

De la Tierre is an interesting fusion of 100% Blue Weber Agave Reposado Tequila, Pure Amber Maple Syrup, and flavours extracted from Ceylon Cinnamon Bark. The Reposado Tequila used is distilled in a copper pot still and aged in American Whiskey barrels; the natural Maple Syrup is preservative free and contains no GMOs or artificial flavors; and the flavours extracted from the Ceylon Cinnamon Bark are extracted through a distillation process in copper stills from off-grade bark, leaves and roots.

I received a sample of the De la Tierre from Pure Global Imports, who are the local distributor for this product.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The maple syrup gives the spirit a heavy body, and the initial aroma rising from the glass is a nice mixture of maple syrup and agave. If the glass is allowed to sit the smell of cinnamon soon joins, and over time it begins to dominates the breezes above the glass… “

You may read my full review here:

Review: De la Tierre (Maple Liqueur Tequila)

Please enjoy this review of a very interesting Tequila Liqueur.

Cheers!

Posted in Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Tequila Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: De la Tierre (Maple Liqueur Tequila)

Review: Patrón XO Cafe

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 24, 2012

Patrón XO Cafe is a blend of the premium Patrón Silver Tequila and the natural essence of fine coffee. According to the Patron website, the taste of this agave coffee spirit is dry, rather than sweet, with notes of chocolate and vanilla. It is suggested that the spirit is meant not only for sipping, but also as a premium cocktail ingredient, or as a delectable dessert topping.

I received a sample of the Patrón XO Cafe from Diamond Estates Wine and Spirits, who are the local distributor Patron Spirits.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The initial flavour is rich with coffee and vanilla, underlain with agave. The flavour is sweet rather than dry, and there is a nice peppery bite which is working well with the overall flavour. As I sip I begin to sense that the sweetness is similar to cane syrup and the mouth-feel has that syrupy texture as well…”

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Patrón XO Cafe

As well, I have included a nice recipe from the Patron website with the review which they call, Dark Spell.

Please enjoy the recipe and the review!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Tequila Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Patrón XO Cafe

Panama Red Arrives in Alberta

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 22, 2012

Panama Red 108 is a Panamanian rum brought to you by PANAMONTE BRANDS. The rum is handcrafted by the creator of Zafra Master Reserve, Master Blender, Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez. It is produced from the sugar cane that grew in Las Cabras de Pese, the same region where the Distillery is located. Although the rum is stated as overproof, Don Pancho has assured me that the rum will feel much smoother in the mouth than a typical overproof rum. It has as its base, a 3 year molasses based rum which is aged in used Bourbon casks at the distillery warehouse in Pese.

There is a bit of a romantic story behind the name of this Rum and it was related to me via email by the Mr. Carlos E. Esquivel G., the Executive Director of PILSA (A Rum distillery and production company, specializing in Aged Rums, and Rum related products in Panama and South America). With his permission, I have reproduced the story to serve as the backdrop for my review here:

The Story of Panama Red… (click on the link to read the story).

Read my Original Review Here:

Review: Panama Red 108 Overproof Rum

Of course, the review includes a great cocktail, Savalle Row.

Please enjoy the story, the review, and the cocktail.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Panama Red Arrives in Alberta