Author Archive
Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 25, 2011
The original recipe for Old Sam Demerara Rum stretches back to 1797 when Edward Young & Co. (from London & Liverpool, England) imported their rum from the Caribbean (primarily from Guyana) and brought the first barrels marked ‘Old Sam’ to London, England. Today the rum no longer travels to England to be blended and bottled, rather it travels to Newfoundland where it is blended and bottled by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). The entire blend hails from Guyana, and I have been informed that the age of these rums in the blend is no younger than 2 years old. In fact some of the rum in the blend may be as old as 12 years, but as the rum is blended to a specific taste profile, the oldest rum in the blend may change from batch to batch. I was given a sample of the Old Sam Demerara Rum by Greg Kerr of the NLC for the purpose of my review.
Here is an Excerpt from that review:
“…The taste of molasses, candied caramel and orange peel leads out into the mouth but these flavours are soon accompanied by tobacco and musty leather. I also taste a dry fruity flavour which reminds me of raisins and prunes with perhaps a few figs and dates thrown in for good measure…”
You may read the full review here:
I have included a nice recipe which I call the Maritime Mai Tai.
Please enjoy my review!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Dark Rum, Newfoundland and labrador Liquor Corporation, Newfoundland Rum, Rum, Rum Review | 9 Comments »
Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 24, 2011
I found myself watching an old western on the television a few weeks ago on one of those rare days when the movie suited my mood perfectly. Of course, I wanted a drink, but not just a drink…. I wanted a drink that suited the mood I was in and the movie I was watching. I settled on a dusty Canadian Rye Whisky and settled down to watch my movie.
Afterwards I began to think about why I wanted a particular drink for that particular movie, and I realized that this actually happens to me quite often. For me movies are a ‘mood’ experience. I have to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies. Certain moods call for certain styles of drinks. So I began to put together a list of my favourite movies and thought about what I would like to drink while watching. I analyzed each movie briefly before selecting the appropriate cocktail for each. I came up with this list:
This is just Part 1, next month or thereabouts I will post Part 2 with five more movies.
Cheers!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Extras, Gin, Rum, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Movies | Comments Off on Movies and Cocktails: Part 1
Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 23, 2011
I contacted Gregg Kerr of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Commission (NLC) a few months ago informing him of my plans to begin a series of vodka reviews on my website, and how I was hoping to include at least a few Canadian spirits. Greg was kind enough to forward me a bottle of their new Vodka.
Shiver Vodka is a new product of the of the NLC. Made in Newfoundland and Labrador from Ontario grown corn, Shiver Vodka is four times distilled and triple filtered for clarity and purity. It is what the NLC calls an economy priced Premium Vodka, meant to be light on the pocketbook, but also meant to compete well in the Premium Vodka Spirit category.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…We all felt the Vodka was very clean on the nose with just a few hints of citrus and grain apparent, however once the Shiver Vodka was sipped that citrus spiciness grew in strength considerably. The sensation warmed our mouths more than a little bit…”
You may read the full review here:
I have included I a nice cocktail adapted from the Shiver Vodka Website, the Arctic Sun.
Please enjoy the review and the cocktail!
Posted in Howls | Comments Off on Review: Shiver Vodka
Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 21, 2011
Canadian Club Whisky is the oldest and probably the most influential brand of Canadian Whisky in the world. It can be found in over 150 countries and boasts sales in Canada that are unmatched by any other premium whisky brand. Its popularity spiked during the days of Prohibition when Canadian Club was the whisky of choice for smugglers and whiskey runners, and it has even been reported that Canadian Club was the whisky of choice for Al Capone who is said to have smuggled thousands of cases of Canadian Whisky into the USA .
The Canadian Club Reserve is a step up from the previously reviewed Canadian Club Premium. Still ‘Blended at Birth’, the whisky is a mixture of rye, rye malt, corn and barley spirits. Although separately distilled, these spirits are blended before being placed in white oak barrels where the blend ages for a minimum of 10 years.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…In the air, a light toffee has developed which has that same almond taint I noticed in the younger Canadian Club whisky. Dank tones of corn and tobacco are present as well as a light smokiness which hints at baked apples. A dusty rye and light oak spices weave in and out of the aroma which is noticeably more complex than the Canadian Club Premium…”
Here is a link to my full Review:
I have included a nice cocktail with the review called the Woodcutter. I hope you enjoy the review and the cocktail.
Cheers!
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Club, Canadian Whisky, Cocktails and Recipes, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Review: Canadian Club Reserve Whisky
Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 18, 2011
The Plantation Nicaragua (1998) Rum is a column distilled rum which has been aged in used bourbon casks. The rum was transported from Nicaragua to France, and then it was aged for a short time in used Cognac casks to enhance the rum before it was bottled as part of Cognac Ferrand’s growing line-up of Plantation Rum. Cognac Ferrand has long had a special relationship with a variety of Caribbean rum producers which is based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Based upon this relationship, Cognac Ferrand is able to acquire certain old and unique batches of rum from various Caribbean sources, which they bring back to France and finish in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks.
I was given eight sample bottles, each 200 ml in size, which represent a good portion of the Plantation Rum line-up. The Plantation Nicaragua is the fourth of these sample bottles which I have chosen to review here on my blog.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…As I let the glass decant, the honeyed molasses evolves into a more butterscotch-like aroma, and I also begin to sense which seems to be some wisps of leather and green tobacco in the aroma. A growing awareness of fruit has come over me as a light sweet grapiness is also apparent…”
Here is a link to my full review:
Please enjoy the review!
Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Dark Rum, Nicaraguan Rum, Plantation Rum, Rum, Rum Review | Comments Off on Review: Plantation Nicaragua (1998) Rum
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