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Leatherback Special Reseve Rum (North of 7 Distillery)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 18, 2018

Greg Lipin and Jody Miall are both avid rock climbers who regularly travel to Kentucky on climbing trips. It was on one of these trips that the two friends developed a passion for ‘brown spirits’ which ultimately led them to opening their own Micro-distillery (North of 7) in Ottawa, Ontario. They currently produce several styles of Canadian Whisky, their Leatherback Dark Rum (sold at 40 % abv. and at 57 % abv.) Triple Beam Gin and Illuminati Vodka.

The subject of this review is Leatherback Special Reserve Rum. This is a single barrel dark rum produced without the addition of additives, vanilla flavouring, or caramel colouring. The spirit was aged in 53 gallon barrels from Independent Stave Company which have been ‘special craft toasted’ and charred.

The Special Reserve Leatherback Rum was bottled at 57 % alcohol by volume and is available for sale in the distillery store (hopefully soon at the LCBO and across Canada).

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Leatherback Special Reseve Rum

“… The aroma wells up immediately after you pour the dark rum into the glass, and I immediately begin to notice oak spices, licorice stained molasses, and a spicy mixture of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon (baking spices). Vanilla, dark dry fruit, and tobacco linger in the air as well. I am very pleased as the scents and smells are assertive and enticing … “

Please enjoy my review which concludes with two serving suggestions.

Chimo!

 

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Review: Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Rye Whiskey

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 16, 2018

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Rye is a Straight Kentucky Rye Whiskey, distilled and bottled at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in  Versailles Kentucky. The folks at Woodford Reserve pride themselves in the manufacture of what they call ‘craft whiskeys’. The Kentucky distillery is apparently located over top of a deep limestone aquifer which contains mineral rich (iron free) limestone water. This is of course the aquifer from which the distillery draws the water required for fermentation of their rye rich grain mash. (This mash is composed of 53 % rye grain.)

The fermentation tanks are constructed from cypress which (according to the folks at Woodford Reserve) helps to eliminate unwanted flavours which could arise in a stainless steel fermentation tank. The wash is distilled three times on copper pots stills to a full 158 proof, and the resulting new make is barreled in freshly charred new oak barrels prepared by the distillers own cooperage. The spirit is set down to mature in a temperature controlled warehouse where it is carefully monitored to be bottled when the right flavour characteristic has been achieved.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Rye Whiskey

“… I noticed a nice mixture of vanilla, honeycomb and baking spices (ginger, light cinnamon notes and hints of nutmeg) welling up. The robust grain scents are beginning to remind me of graham wafers. There is also a light fruitiness with orange peel moving towards marmalade, as well as green apple and hints of pear. Almond scents moving towards marzipan round out the nose which shows both depth and complexity …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a very nice cocktail suggestion, the Ward 8 Cocktail.

Chimo!

Posted in American Whiskey, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Rye Whiskey

Review: Herradura Anejo Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 14, 2018

The Herradura Tequila brand is owned by Brown-Froman. It is produced thirty miles from Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, in the town of Amatitan, at Brown – Forman Tequila Distillery Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. which is also referred to as Hacienda Herradura.  The agave spirit produced here uses agave cooked in traditional old stone ovens, and distilled on old copper pot stills.

The subject of this review, the Herradura Anejo is a true 100% Weber Blue agave tequila.According to the Brown-Forman website:

Herradura Añejo matures in the barrel for 25 months, which is more than double the 1-year age requirement for a tequila to be considered an Añejo by Mexico law. This aging gives it both a deep amber color and a complex, spicy taste. Herradura Añejo was introduced by Casa Herradura in 1962.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Herradura Anejo Tequila

“… Firm fruity agave gives the spirit a strong lowland character. Black pepper breaks through heating the palate, and then some light oak flavours of caramel and vanilla come through as well. The overall flavour is more balanced than either the Silver or the Reposado was. Although fruity agave dominates, the oak and the characteristic tequila spice play a strong role as well. I find that when I sip the spirit over ice, the tequila is quite pleasing with additional flavours of raisin, chocolate and perhaps even a touch of walnut appearing …”

Please enjoy my review which concluded with my recommended cocktail, the Tequila Anejo Old Fashioned.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Anejo Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Review: Saddleback Maple Bacon Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 13, 2018

Saddleback Maple Bacon Whisky is produced by Proof Brands. The company currently produces whisky, rum and vodka all of which are bottled in unique stubby 500 ml bottles. The brands and the spirits are the creation of Michael Riley, a veteran of the alcohol beverage industry. Michael spent 5 years as the Director of Spirits for the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). He has also has worked with such brands as Crown Royal, Absolut, Captain Morgan, Chivas Regal and Molson Canadian.

This Little Piggy!

Proof Brand’s Maple Bacon Whisky was released in 2017, marking the 50th Anniversary of the British Saddleback Pig, which they claim is the world’s best hog for bacon. Michael blends his Proof Canadian Whisky(a blend of Canadian prairie rye and wheat which is distilled with pristine water from the Rockies) with natural maple syrup and bacon flavours.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Saddleback Maple Bacon Whisky

“… The initial aroma speaks loudly to the presence of maple, however there is also a light backdrop of wood spice. As I give the glass time to breathe I begin to glimpse the presence of the smoky bacon aroma. It is somewhat smothered by the overt maple, but hints of a light smoky bacon are evident …”

I hope everyone enjoys this review of this interesting new flavoured Whisky! For your added enjoyment I have included a nice cocktail suggestion, This Little Piggy!

Chimo!

 

 

 

Posted in Flavoured Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Saddleback Maple Bacon Whisky

Review: Berry’s Finest Panama Rum (Aged 11 Years)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 11, 2018

Berry Bros. & Rudd is one of London’s oldest Wine and Spirits Merchant with over 300 years of experience and tradition from which to draw upon. The company began its operation at 3 – St. James’s Street (in London, UK) in 1698, and still operates from that same location today. Although they are primarily merchants of wine, the company has a strong presence in the sale of distilled spirits as well. And in fact, this presence within the spirits industry had its beginnings approximately 100 years ago. (The Cutty Sark brand was developed by Berry Bros & Rudd in 1923.)

Today Berry Bros & Rudd acts as an independent bottler of Whisky, Cognac, Armagnac, and of course Rum. A few of their rum offerings are available in my locale, and I was able to obtain a sample of the 11 Year Old – Berrys’ Finest Panama Rum.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Berry’s Finest Panama Rum (Aged 11 Years)

“… The first sip brings rich flavours of vanilla and butterscotch forward which are accompanied by marzipan and fine wood spices. Ginger pops into the mind immediately as does cinnamon and orange peel. There is a light bitterness underneath which seems to be part of the light flavour of oak sap which runs through the rum. A distinct fruitiness is evident and my mind conjures up images of canned apricots and orange marmalade …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a nice recipe suggestion, the Aztec Rum Old Fashioned.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Berry’s Finest Panama Rum (Aged 11 Years)

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