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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

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Rum Review: Bermudez Don Armando

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 9, 2010

This is the second review I am publishing with respect to the rums of Ron Bermudez . I previously reviewed the Ron Anejo Bermudez 5 Anos here on my blog based upon a sample bottle provided to my by Westway L. LTD.  My sample bottle of the Don Armando 1852 Ron Anejo 10 Anos rum was also supplied by Westway L. Limited, as they are introducing the Bermudez rums into my home Province of Alberta.  The year 1852 is proudly displayed on the label of each bottle of Bermudez rums indicating the year in which the Bermudez family began to produce rum commercially.   In fact, the Bermudez rums have been produced in the Dominican Republic practically from the beginning of its nationhood making the Bermudez Distillery the oldest commercial rum distillery in the Dominican Republic.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…This is a soft, oily, slightly dry rum with a nice spicy oak accent on the tongue.   It is not as sweet in the mouth as the nose will suggest.  Rather than a rich brown sugar we have more of a mellow butterscotch on the palate….”

To read the full review please click here:

Rum Review: Bermudez Don Armando

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail provided at the end.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: Bermudez Don Armando

Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 4, 2010

Bruichladdich Black Art
1989 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (19 Years Old)

Bruichladdich (Pronunciation = Brook Laddie) distillery was built in 1881 on Hebridean Isle, in what is now known as the Islay region of Scotland.  It was one of many distilleries, which despite it long history and tradition of whisky making, was closed in 1994 due to industry consolidation.  The distillery no longer produced whisky, but the existing stocks left inside continued to age.  The good news is that on 19th December, 2000, the distillery was purchased by a small band of investors.  It was  renovated and reopened, and on May 21, 2001 the distillery once again began to distill whisky.

This small band of investors has proceeded to turn the Scottish whisky world upside down.  They love to blend and bottle their whisky in small artisan production runs using a multitude of unique finishing casks.  Borrowing ideas from their own past experiences, they are bringing to market a variety of  one of a kind whiskies, the like of which the Scottish Whisky World has never seen before.

The Bruichladdich 1989 Black Art is just such a bottling.  Master Blender, Jim McEwan,  used 1989 Vintage whisky stocks and a secret combination of wine finishing casks to create this unusual Vintage Single Malt Whisky.  Although I have tried to find out which types of wine casks were used to finish this whisky, my research was to no avail. Apparently, Mr McEwan didn’t allow anybody to see.   All we know is what is written on the bottle, which is where I will start the review (click on the link below to read the full review):

Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

As per my usual style, I have added an original cocktail I call The Warlock.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

Rum Review: Bermudez Ron Anejo 1852

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 2, 2010

Bermudez 1852 5 Anos de Anejamiento

Photo Courtesy of Westway

Earlier this week I received a welcome call from Westway L. LTD., who are the importers of the Bermudez rums in my home province of Alberta. They had suggested to me about six months ago that they would be bringing the Bermudez rums into Western Canada, and as a way of introducing the rums into this area would like for me to review a few samples of the range.  The rum has arrived and will be released in Alberta with a few weeks.

The Ron Bermúdez  Company, (as I guessed from the label on the bottle) has a long history that stretches back to 1852. This is almost as old as the Dominican Republic itself, and I think it is easy to suggest that the Ron Bermudez Company is an important part of the history of the Dominican Republic.  Don Erasmo Bermudez apparently created the company’s first rum, sold as Bitter Panacea which quickly became extremely popular and provided the foundation for the company’s  success.

The Company is currently in its fourth generation of management, still represented by the Bermudez family. Don Carlos Alberto Bermúdez Pippa, is currently the management leader for the company.  At the time of this writing I have been unable to access the Ron Bermudez website but I leave the link here in case access is available at a future time.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The rum flavours are there in spades, make no mistake;  rich caramel and butterscotch flavours lead out with soft ripe fruit following quickly.  A touch of citrus zest finds its way into the oak spices and the result is quite delicious. …”

You may read the rest of the full review here:

Review:  Bermudez 1852 5 Anos de Anejamiento

As always a few recipes follow the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: Bermudez Ron Anejo 1852

Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 30, 2010

Over the next several months, I plan to complete a review series of  Wiser’s Canadian Whiskies    I will start with a relatively new member to the Wiser’s portfolio, the Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky, and then I will wander through their whisky family, reviewing the Wiser’s Special Blend, The Wiser’s Deluxe, and the Wiser’s 18 Year Old in no particular order.  I will also complete a full review of a brand new Wiser’s Canadian Whisky, Wiser’s Legacy.   ( I have previously provided a first impression of the Legacy (click the link to read this first impression), and now that the Wiser’s Legacy  bottles will hit the store shelves soon it seems a good time to do this review series.)

An astute person may ask about the Wiser’s Red Letter Whisky, the recently named Canadian Whisky of the Year in the Jim Murray 2010 Whisky Bible,  but an even more astute person will realize that I reviewed the Red Letter last year in November. A second review so quickly is hardly necessary.  If you are interested,   The review for the Wiser’s Red Letter whisky can be found here.

I  confess that I look forward with great anticipation to this review series.  I have always enjoyed the Wiser’s Whisky brands and the chance to give the entire whisky family a good once over with my review system is an opportunity that I cannot resist.

Here is an excerpt from my first review for the Wiser’s Small batch Canadian Whisky:

“The whisky is soft and supple on the tongue with a richness that I do not encounter in the Canadian Whisky Category very often.  Hot oak spices tickle the tongue in a smooth delivery which carries flavours of  butterscotch, maple, and ripe fruit.  Corn and light rye flavours provide the foundation upon which  the sweeter flavours are carried….

You may read the entire review here:

Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

As usual I have a few cocktail suggestions for this whisky. Enjoy the review.

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

Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 28, 2010

Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The 1991, Isle of Jura, 16 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky was distilled at the Isle of Jura distillery in 1991 and set down to age in bourbon casks. At some point in the history of this malt, several casks (perhaps seven or eight) were purchased by the private bottler Murray McDavid. These casks were chosen for their special character, and in 2007 they were blended and bottled in a Limited Release Bottling numbering only 1500 bottles.   Three of these bottles have found a way into my possession, and I am pleased to review the contents of one of them and share the results of this hard labour with you.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…Honey and caramel drift out of the glass with a gentle sweetness that is inviting.  As the glass sits, deeper scents of ripe fruit and spicy oak follow with a very small whisper of salty smoke trailing in the breeze.  A touch of water opens the ripe fruit to reveal apricots and peaches is a spicy sweet syrup….”

You may read the full review and the cocktail I have chosen for this splendid whisky here:


Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

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