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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

Review: Khortytsa Premium Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 23, 2012

The Khortytsa Distillery is located in the City of Zaporizhzhia, in the south of Ukraine. The facility is relatively new, its first distilled products were rolled out in December of 2003. According to the company website, the distillery uses only high quality grain spirits produced by Ukraine’s best factories for vodka manufacturing. Although the facility and the brand are relatively new, they have made a significant impact in the global market where today, Khortytsa is found in 85 countries worldwide.

The Khortytsa Brand was recently introduced into Canada, and I was recently asked by the local importer, Ukrainian Drinks Ltd. to provide a few reviews of some of their selected products.The second of these products which I sampled is the Khortytsa Premium Vodka.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I took my first full swallow of the Khortytsa Premium Vodka, I noticed that the light sweetness and soft citrus remain at the front of the delivery. Although the vodka has this initial softness, it also imparted some significant spicy heat to my palate and to the back of my throat after the full swallow. The Vodka is smooth all the way down the throat …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Khortytsa Premium Vodka

I have included a great new cocktail with the review, the Estate Cocktail.

Please enjoy the review and the new cocktail I have created. Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Khortytsa Premium Vodka

Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 19, 2012

It was about a year ago that I was contacted by the fellows tho are responsible for Dictador Rum, and was asked if I would like to review their new Dictador XO Perpetual. This new rum sounded intriguing, and I was curious about the how the Dictador XO Rum might differ from the Dictador 12 and Dictador 20 Year Solera rums which I had already tasted and reviewed. I agreed to receive a sample and when it arrived, I found this statement on the plastic protective sleeve which slides over the box that houses the XO Perpetual.

” … The Dictador XO Solera System Rum is elaborated from the fermentation of unique virgin honey of sugar cane, then distilled in antique copper pot alembic then is aged in very high end pre-used oak barrels from 3 cardinal points… “

Additional statements on the Dictador website speak to a difference in the aging regimen used for the XO rums. Although the information is not specific, it appears that the major difference is in the oak selected. The intent seems to be to create a different flavour profile for the Dictador XO. As a result, the XO Rums (the Insolent and the Perpetual) promise to offer a new taste experience for the rum connoisseur.

The Dictador website also explains that the Dictador Rum are produced in Colombia, more exactly, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia at Cartagena de Indias City. These rums are based upon an international marketing concept, combining the traditions of Colombian rum making with Japanese bottle designs and European packaging and marketing.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The Dictador XO Perpetual has a beguiling quality in the glass. The initial scents are aromatic and fruity. I sense a wonderful butterscotch sweetness underneath a bouquet of oak and baking spices (vanilla, brown sugars, and cinnamon). Orange peel wells out of the glass, but if you are patient the orange peel soon melds with the butterscotch to give the air a lovely impression of marmalade …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Please enjoy the review, and my cocktail suggestion, the Rum Old Fashioned!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 16, 2012

True North Rye Whisky is produced from western prairie wheat and grains. It is aged in charred American oak barrels for a minimum of three years (as per Canadian Law) before being blended and bottled at the Highwood facility in High River, Alberta. True North is what I refer to as an economy whisky. It is inexpensive compared to other whisky in its category, and is a whisky meant for tall drinks as well as other cocktails in bars and restaurants (or on your back deck).

Highwood Distillers is the only Canadian distillery which uses wheat as its primary distilled grain. I have noticed when tasting the wheat based spirits in their portfolio that this grain seems to lend a soft gentleness to the final spirit. They use Rye is in much smaller quantities, and this grain adds a flavourful spiciness. Corn may also be used, and when it is, the corn provides additional sweetness, and body to the spirit.

Earlier this summer, I was given a bottle of Highwood’s True North Whisky for the purpose of a review here on my website. Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“…. True North tastes pretty much like an old-fashioned rye whisky with a nice bite of rye spice complemented with notes of butterscotch and caramel. I can taste the spiciness of ginger with perhaps just a dash of cloves and cardamom, and a very light sweetness. The spiciness warms the mouth, but there is  just enough dusty dryness and flavours of ripened grain to appeal to me… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

I have also provided a nice cocktail with the review, the Rye-jito.

Please enjoy the review and cocktail.

Cheers!

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For those who are interested I have provided a detailed overview of Highwood’s distillation and whisky making process which you may find her:

The Highwood Distillery Tour

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Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Distillery Tour, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

Review: Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 14, 2012

The Khortytsa Distillery is located in the City of Zaporizhzhia, in the south of Ukraine. The facility is relatively new, its first distilled products were rolled out in December of 2003. According to the company website, the distillery uses only high quality grain spirits produced by Ukraine’s best factories for vodka manufacturing. Although the facility and the brand are relatively new, they have made a significant impact in the global market where today, Khortytsa is found in 85 countries worldwide.

The Khortytsa Brand was recently introduced into Canada, and I was recently asked by the local importer, Ukrainian Drinks Ltd. to provide a few reviews of some of their selected products. The first of these products which I sampled is the Khortytsa Platinum Vodka whose formulation was apparently developed using a special silver and platinum filtration technology.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The first sip reinforced the nose with the spiciness of grain evident and a firm but mild citrus flavour. A lightly bitter aftertaste was present which reminded me of spruce bark and thyme. Despite this light bitterness, the vodka appears smooth and easy to sip. It is up to the individual sampling the Vodka whether that light bitter taste is appealing or not… “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

I have included a very nice cocktail which I call, the Minted Vodka Daiquiri.

Please enjoy the review and the great cocktail provided!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

Review: Redrum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 12, 2012

Three-D Spirits, Inc. (www.redrum.com) was founded in 1996 with the goal to create exceptional  handmade rums. The currently produce three spiced and flavoured rums, RedrumVooDoo Spiced Rum, and Jolly Roger Coconut and Key Lime Rum. The subject of this review, Redrum, is a blend of 100% Virgin Island Rums. The rum is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume, and includes flavours of natural mango, pineapple, coconut, and cherry.

According to Dan DaDalt, Chief Rum Runner, for Three-D Spirits, Redrum is a completely unaged spirit. To quote from Dan:

” I chose this direction mainly because I felt it (an aged rum) would not work as well with the natural fruit flavors as a more neutral rum base.”

This product is being brought into my market by River Valley Beverages who arranged for me to receive a sample for review.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…  I can piece out the coconut, the cherry, some grilled pineapple and the mango all lifting into the breezes. This actually smells quite nice. Although vanilla is not listed as one of the flavours, I seem to also sense some real vanilla essence in the air… “

You ,may read my full review here:

Review: Redrum

Please enjoy the review and my suggested cocktail, the Redrum Breeze.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Redrum