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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

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Review: Pendleton 1910 (Aged 12 Years) Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 6, 2012

Pendleton 1910 Canadian Whisky is a 100 % Canadian Whisky. The spirit is produced and aged in Calgary Alberta, and then transported to Oregon where it is brought to bottling proof by Hood River Distillers using the glacial fed waters from Mt. Hood. The whisky is named to honour the year of the very first Pendleton Round-up, which is a respected rodeo in Pendleton, Oregon. In fact, Pendleton Whisky sponsors numerous rodeos, including the aforementioned  the Pendleton Round-Up, the Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Walla Walla Frontier Days.

According to the company website, the whisky is crafted from 100 % rye, distilled and oak-aged in Canada for 12 years.

I was given a bottle of the Pendleton 1910, by my contacts at Authentic Wines and Spirits who are the local importers of this whisky in my Province of Alberta.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The whisky displays a pale gold colour in the glass and the initial nose is of gentle rye spices. Some sandalwood and oak lie under the rye and the overall effect of this combination is most pleasing. I notice some light honey scents and a pleasant drifting of vanilla.

The oak deepens over time and a few scents of charcoal are added to the fray. Some mild baking spices evolve (ginger, nutmeg and ever so light scents of cinnamon), and as the glass sits even longer, the whisky reveals more… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Pendleton 1910 (Aged 12 Years) Canadian Whisky

I have included one of my original recipes with the review, The Woodcutter.

Please enjoy my review and my original cocktail!

Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Pendleton 1910 (Aged 12 Years) Canadian Whisky

Review: Siesta Key Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 4, 2012

Drum Circle Distilling is a small artisan distillery located in Sarasota, Florida. Their distillation system was crafted for the distillery by Christian Carl, a German company which has been producing distillation systems for over 150 years. Working directly with Christian Carl, Drum Circle Distilling was able to custom design a small-batch copper still (which can be run as a simple pot still or with a side column) which they believe is perfect for making great tasting rum. This distillation system operates in a 6400 square foot work space which also includes barrel racks for aging, as well as labeling and bottling stations. At this Florida distillery the spirits are hand-crafted from beginning to end in a batch style production cycle from Florida grown sugar cane.

I was sent a sample of the Siesta Key Gold Rum for the purpose of a review upon my website. After a somewhat tortuous journey my sample arrived a few weeks ago.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The immediate nose brings forward sweet butterscotch, orange peel, almond and vanilla. I allowed the glass to breathe a few minutes, and noticed that a few oak spices had entered the breezes with a few scattered baking spices… “

Here is a link to the full review;

Review: Siesta Key Dark Rum

I have include a couple of recipes which work well with the rum, the Celebration Cocktail and my own Sloe Lime Daiquiri.

Please enjoy my review, and the cocktails that follow!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Siesta Key Dark Rum

Review: Sahara Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 30, 2012

Highwood Distillers is a Canadian distillery situated in the town of High River, Alberta, which lies just about 40 minutes due south of Calgary, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. I have visited the distillery and watched first hand as they turned the local wheat into whisky, vodka. and gin. Sahara Dry Gin is produced in the London Dry style. This spirit is produced from Canadian wheat and naturally sourced Rocky Mountain water. Juniper, Citrus of Lemon, and other botanicals are all added during the final distillation.

This is s very dry gin. So dry in fact, that the folks at Highwood named it Sahara. I was provided with a sample bottle of this gin from the folks at Highwood Distillers (early in the summer) for the purpose of a review on my website.

Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“… The nose has a laid back quality of juniper and lighter accents of lemon and grapefruit. There is a bit of an alpine scent mingled with the juniper and perhaps some scents of willow thicket, meadow grass, and spring flowers. Everything is all rather mellow; but it is also rather enjoyable …”

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Sahara Dry Gin

I have also provided a very nice ‘cooler’ style cocktail to enjoy with the Sahara, one I call the Jumping Buffalo Cooler. Please enjoy my review and my suggested cocktail.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Sahara Dry Gin

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 27, 2012

Ron Zacapa Rums are made from sugar cane harvested in southern Guatemala, which is pressed into virgin sugar cane honey, a process unique to the Guatemalan style of rum production. This liquid is then fermented, distilled and taken to the mountains for aging, where the flavor of the rums is further refined through the premium aging process known as Sistema Solera.

The Ron Zacapa Centenario XO is blended from these solera aged stocks which range in age from 6 years to 25 years.  These stocks were aged in special cellars more than 7000 feet above sea level. The solera barrels are a mixture of reused American Bourbon, Sherry, Pedro Ximenez wines, and Cognac barrels. The combination of solera aging and the wide variety of reused barrels creates a highly complex rum with a rich aroma and flavour.

I recently received a Ron Zacapa Tasting Kit in the mail which for me was the perfect excuse to revisit my previously published review for the Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“….Richness and luxury ooze from the nose of this sweet nectar. Scents of mild toffee and spice combined with a rich oak and vanilla aroma rise from the glass to the delight of my nostrils. There seems to be a light orange citrus weaving through the aroma. The spices I can identify by smell are vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg with just a hint of cloves…”

You may link to the full review here:

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

BTW:  The review includes a decadent cocktail called The Royal Batiste.

Cheers Everyone.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

Review: Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 26, 2012

Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky is produced in the small City of Lethbridge in my home Province of Alberta. It is produced for Williams & Churchill by Schenley Distilleries Inc. at the Black Velvet Distillery, (also referred to locally as the Palliser Distillery). According to the information on the product label, this whisky is a result of blending carefully selected small batch whiskies. The Private Reserve is apparently “diamond filtered” to add further polish to the whisky.

A friend of mine brought this whisky to a Canadian Whisky Tasting event which I hosted earlier this summer. He graciously allowed me to keep the bottle so that I could review it here on my website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The initial nose is full of rye spices, cardamom and ginger in particular, with a few scattered scents of cloves. Some light hints of butterscotch reach the breezes (although this whisky displays less sweetness than most Canadian Whiskies I have nosed). Some sandalwood and sawdust rise up as well as some light hints of effervescent fruitiness… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky

Please enjoy the review and my suggested recipe, the Emerald Cooler.

Cheers Everyone!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky

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