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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

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Whisky Review: Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 29, 2010

Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979

I have a thing for well aged whisky. I love the spirits which have been aged 15 … 20 even 25 years. I also have a soft spot for a bargain. So when I spied a 25 year old Scotch for only $125 bucks, I was like a hungry fish spying a shiny new lure. In spite of my firm resolution to only buy what I sample first, I was hooked! I did not even put up much of a fight.

The Cooper’s Choice seems to be a relatively new third party bottler who have stepped into my market place bringing in Scotch whisky from distillers who typically do not bottle their own products.   In this case the Mortlach Distillery in Dufftown,   a Speyside distillery.

(I know what you are thinking and No! This is not the home of Duff Beer,  The Simpson’s and the Mortlach Distillery are not related.)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The nose prepared me for the onslaught from the bottle.  My palate was filled with a triumvirate of heavy smoke, heavy oak, and 92 proof alcohol.  It pretty much knocked my taste buds back and crippled them to the other nuances.  It was not until I rested my palate, and added an ice-cube that I was able to taste the other nuances of the dram…..”

You may read the full review here:

Review: The Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979

Rum Review: Havana Club 7 Year Old Cuban Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 26, 2010

Havana Club 7 Year Old Cuban Rum

In most of the world,  Havana Club rum  is associated with the brand owned by Pernod Ricard who is currently embroiled in a battle with Bacardi over whom owns the rights to the Havana Club Trademark.  Suffice it to say, if you buy Havana Club outside of the US, it is probably the Pernod Ricard brand, and if you buy it within the borders of the US,  it will be the Bacardi brand.  In the end, after lots of lawyers have made a ton of money, the matter may finally be resolved…or not.

The subject of my review is Havana Club 7 Year Old. It is an authentic Cuban Rum.   This rum has become widely available in markets outside of the US, including where I live in Alberta, Canada.

Introduction:

Sometimes when I take the first sip of new rum, I close my eyes and let the it show me where it belongs.  This rum brought me to an old tavern, close to the docks.  The kind of place you see in old movies where the rum flows and stories get taller in the telling.  The place has an oily, tobacco stained floor. Cigarette smoke drifts up to the ceiling mingling here and there with the occasional smell of a Cuban cigar.   A girl sits on a boardwalk stage, singing slightly out of key, as the patrons in the tavern pay more attention to their stories than to her.  A burly bartender, who looks like he can handle whatever trouble comes his way, wipes the sweat from his brow, and then with the same towel wipes the bar-top.  He glances at me playing solitaire in the corner of the room and sipping the rum he served me.  I had told him I would stay and pay him well if the rum was good.   He served me a soft oily, smoky rum called Havana Club.  I smile… the tip will be generous tonight.

You may read my full review here:

Review: Havana Club 7 Year Old Cuban Rum

As usual I have included a couple of recipes for your enjoyment.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: Havana Club 7 Year Old Cuban Rum

Whisky Review: Wiser’s Special Blend Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 22, 2010

I noticed a change on the new bottles of Wiser’s Special Blend about two years ago.  The older bottles proudly proclaimed, ‘Wiser’s Special Blend Canadian Rye Whisky‘, whereas  the newer labels say ‘Wiser’s Special Blend Canadian Whisky‘.  The difference of course is the word “rye” which has been taken off the label. It is small changes like that which give me cause for apprehension.  I like rye whisky, and as the number of Canadian rye blends is diminishing, I am growing concerned that my favourite whisky will one day be only a memory.  Fortunately for me, I was recently given a bottle with the new label by the folks at Wiser’s in the hopes that I would provide an honest review of the Special Blend.  It so happens that I already owned a bottle carrying the previous label so I intend to compare the two bottles to see if the blend as well as the label has changed.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…In the glass, the Wiser’s Special Blend shows itself as a rich copper coloured whisky with lighter shades of amber.   The vapour from the glass is  mildly spicy,  and seems to be  sweetened with an aroma of  ripe fruit.   Light hints of caramel lie in the breezes as well…”

You may read the rest of the review here:

Review: Wiser’s Special Blend Canadian Whisky

Two original cocktails have been added and both are “forrest approved“.  Click on the following link to visit his great site, a drink with forrest.

Enjoy!!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Wiser’s Special Blend Canadian Whisky

Tequila Review: PaQuí Tequila (Silvera)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 18, 2010

Tequila Review: PaQuí Tequila (Silvera)

According to the information sent to me,  PaQuí is handcrafted in small batches in the town of Tequila, Mexico, where the master distiller uses a process called Selective Distillation.  This process separates the heart of the distillation resulting in a very pure tequila.  This new  brand is a result of extensive market research which sought to establish the credentials luxury tequila drinkers seek in a fine tequila and to bring such this product to market.

To quote John Chappell, Vice President of  Brand Development,

“Conceived nearly three years ago, PaQuí Tequila is the result of extensive research where we learned that the high-end tequila experience is about celebrating and having fun with an authentically Mexican tequila. PaQuí,  is deeply Mexican and captures the sense of adventure

the drinker is seeking. The luxury tequila drinker also cares intensely about quality so we went out and hired the best Master Distiller to create an outstanding tequila. The result is PaQuí Silvera, a distinctive tequila that expresses the essence of blue agave with an inviting, flowery aroma and exquisite taste.”

PaQuí Tequila has recently been brought to market by Tequila Holdings, Inc., who are the distillers distillers and the importers.  It is currently available in the States of California and Texas.

I was contacted several months ago by the firm, Maury Rogoff, PR and Marketting, (I assume they were engaged by Tequila Holdings Ltd.) who sent me press release information regarding PaQuí Tequila, and requested a review of their Silvera.  The sample bottle arrived in my possession about six weeks later, and after several sessions of tasting I can now share the results of my review:

“…Upon pouring the glass I noticed a light sheen on the sides of my vessel which indicated the presence of a light oil.  The Tequila has no colour at all, that is to say,  it has, to my eye at least, perfect clarity.  The aroma from the glass is laid back.  An earthy agave scent is present, but it does not jump from the glass, rather it seeps out slowly….”
You may read the full review here:

Review: PaQuí Tequila (Silvera)

As well I have provided two recipes to enjoy!

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Tequila Review: PaQuí Tequila (Silvera)

Whisky Review: Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 14, 2010

Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky

I am continuing my journey through the Wiser’s family of Canadian whiskies. Previously I have reviewed, the Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky, and the Wiser’s Red Letter Canadian Whisky. I am writing my reviews in no particular order, preferring to sample and taste at my leisure rather than conforming to a particular schedule.

Wiser’s De Luxe is a premium whisky from Wiser’s Canadian Distillers, (owned by H. Corby Distilling Company).  Originally founded by John Philip Wiser, the company has produced Whisky since 1957.  In fact, it may have been J.P. Wiser who first used the Term “Canadian Whiskey” on a whisky label when he introduced his brand of whisky to the World at the Chicago’s World fair in 1893.

Today Wiser’s De Luxe is distilled at the Hiram Walker Distillery in Walkerville, Ontario (since 1989), and aged in their facilities at Pike Creek near Lakeshore Ontario.   There is no age statement on the Wiser’s De Luxe, but my sense from the sampling and tasting is that we have a blend of whiskies no younger than 8 years and perhaps as old as 12.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“….I took my first sip of  Wiser’s De Luxe, and I was delighted by an aggressive oak toffee which coated my tongue and provided the foundation for the whisky’s flavour profile.   The oak is deep and rich in the mouth with a hint of smoke (perhaps this is a whisper of dried fruit instead).   I also taste orange peel, vanilla, corn and rye in that order of dominance.  A wonderful mildly sweet honey and caramel lies under these flavours….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky

As well as the review I have provided a new cocktail suggestion for Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky.

Please Enjoy the review.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

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