Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category
Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 27, 2013
The Black Velvet brand has a long history in North America, originally produced at the Schenley Distillery in Valleyfield, Quebec in the late 1940s. The whisky was originally called Black Label; but because of the perceived smoothness of the whisky, the producers soon changed the name to Black Velvet. It has been a staple of the Canadian whisky scene ever since. It is now produced at the Black Velvet Distillery (also called the Palliser Distillery) in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Black Velvet Toasted Caramel is a new flavoured whisky produced introduced last year by the company. It is apparently constructed from natural toasted caramel flavour and Black Velvet Whisky. The product is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume.
You may read the full review by clicking the following excerpt:
“… Black Velvet Toasted Caramel runs towards the sweet side of the palate with caramel and maple flavour leading the way. The strong undercurrent of maple confuses me at first; but upon reflection I suspect this must be the wood and whisky spices showing through and moving some of that caramel flavour to maple …”
Please enjoy the review which includes a nice new recipe, the Canadian Caribou High Ball.
Cheers!
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: Black Velvet Distillery, Canadian Whisky, Caribou Cocktail, Cocktails and Recipes, Flavoured Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Review: Black Velvet Toasted Caramel
Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 26, 2013
A few weeks back, I contacted the distributor for Blackheart Spiced Rum with a view towards providing a review here on my website. It turned out Heaven Hill Distilleries, who own Blackheart Rum, also own Whaler’s Rum and the local importer, Diamond Estates, was hoping I would taste some Whaler’s Rum along with the Blackheart Spiced. I didn’t really know a lot about Whaler’s rum so I agreed to sample this “Hawaiian” style Rum. I say Hawaiian style, because Whaler’s takes great pride in letting everyone know that Whaler’s Rums are blended from old Hawaiian recipes. Their line-up includes three traditional rums, and five flavoured rums.
There is quite an interesting story behind the name of the Whaler’s Rums, and you can read that story as well as my review by clicking on the following excerpt:
“”… Usually these young dark rums are full of molasses and caramel which gives the rum a thickened syrupy look. The Whaler’s seems to be traveling a different path from what I was expecting. The breezes above the glass carry a significant amount of vanilla with the molasses and licorice scents taking a back seat to that vanilla …”
Of course the review includes a nice recipe which particularly well suited for the Whaler’s Dark Rum called the Mandeville.
Please enjoy the review and the cocktail provided!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Black Rum, Dark Rum, Heaven Hill, Mandeville, Rum, Rum Review, Whaler's Rum | Comments Off on Review: Whaler’s Dark Rum
Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 23, 2013
Souvenir Vodka (according to their website) is a quadruple distilled Ukrainian Vodka. It arrives in a frosted bottle with a clear window shape in the front which is designed to allow the consumer to have their own image placed at the back of the bottle to be seen through this window. The idea is to allow clients to use the bottle for a variety of purposes such as to commemorate special events like weddings or anniversaries, or to advertise company logos, or whatever other purpose can be imagined. I was told that the Vodka within is a very high quality product from a major Ukrainian distillery, and therefore the company or individual who has purchased the Vodka for their event will not only gain the branding impact of the bottle presentation, but will also be seen as having discriminating taste.
The concept sounds interesting, and I decided to put the Souvenir Vodka through the rituals of my tasting methodology to see how it stacks up.
You may click on the following excerpt to read the full review:
“… As I took my first full swallow of the Souvenir Vodka ‘shot style’, I noticed a spicy warmth upon my palate and in the back of my throat. To my way of thinking this spiciness is almost rye-like and it tickles the tonsils giving the spirit a ‘bracing’ quality …”
The review includes a new recipe I call the Viridian Viper.
Please enjoy the review and the recipe, Budmo!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Souvenir Vodka, Ukranian Vodka, Viridian Viper, Vodka, Vodka Review | Comments Off on Review: Souvenir Vodka
Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 21, 2013
Flavoured and Spiced Whiskies seem to be popping up all over the landscape these days. It seems that not only rum companies are jealous of the success of Captain Morgan. The Whisky producers want a share of this market too. Time will tell whether these flavoured spirits are just a fad or part of a new market trend. But since they have arrived with such force, I will continue to review those which cross my path.
SinFire Cinnamon Whisky is produced by Hood River Distillers, an importer, producer, and bottler of spirits in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The Company’s bottling plant is located beside Columbia River with Mt. Hood standing majestically behind the facility, and they have been there since 1968. I received a small sample of their new SinFire Whisky a few weeks ago and decided to put the sample through the paces of my review methodology. This cinnamon flavoured whisky apparently combines imported Canadian whisky with spicy-sweet natural cinnamon flavors. It is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume.
You may click on the following excerpt to read the full review which includes a nice Highball style cocktail for Cinnamon Whisky called The Buzz Saw Highball:
“… As I put my snoot near the glass I receive a very strong indication of cinnamon heart candies. Some butterscotch is apparent in the breezes as well as a light sandalwood and hints of rye whisky. Although I receive indications of sweetness, it does not appear to be overdone …”
Please enjoy the review!
Cheers!
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Whisky, Spiced Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Cinnamon Whisky, Flavoured Whisky, Hood River Distillers, SinFire, Spiced Whisky, Whisky | Comments Off on Review: SinFire Cinnamon Whisky
Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 19, 2013
A few weeks back, I received a few bottles of the different flavours of Whaler’s Rum from the local importer here in Alberta, Diamond Estates. They were hoping I would taste them, share some with my friends, and perhaps write a review or two. I didn’t really know a lot about Whaler’s Rum so I agreed to accept the samples of these “Hawaiian” style rums.
According to the Whaler’s Rum website, the rum is made from an old Hawaiian recipe. The story goes that early seafarers used to rattle vanilla beans in empty rum bottles at sunset to attract migrating whales to their ships. The whales (who apparently were friendly in those earlier days) then guided the sailors to the tropical haven known as Hawaii. There, the seafarers discovered the old rum makers of Maui, and they were so impressed with that rum that they called it Whaler’s in homage to friendly whales who led them to the rum.
You may click on the excerpt to read the full review:
“… The aroma is very nice with coconut scents mingling with light caramel and vanilla. I was expecting more intensity in the breezes above the glass from a flavoured rum labeled “Killer Coconut, but the scents in the air above the glass are rather laid back. I guess Killer Whales are more laid back and relaxed than I thought …”
I have included two recipes for the Killer Coconut Rum, the Chocolate Covered Banana and A Day At The Beach.
Please enjoy the review!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Coconut Rum, Flavoured Rum, Killer Coconut, Rum, Whaler's Rum | Comments Off on Review: Whaler’s Killer Coconut Rum
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