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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

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Review: Patrón Añejo Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 17, 2012

Patron Tequila is a pure 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila made from agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The agave is 6 to 7 years old when harvested, and the heart of the plant or the piña is all that is used. These piñas are cut and slowly steamed in traditional masonry ovens for 79 hours, and then shredded placed into a traditional stone pit. Here they are broken into finer pieces with large stone milling wheels called “Tahonas”. The resulting juice is then fermented for 72 hours in a wooden fermentation vat, and distilled twice in copper pot stills.

Patrón Añejo Tequila is a blend of aged tequilas which all have been matured in small white oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months. I received a sample bottle of the this Tequila from Diamond Estates Wine and Spirits, who are the local distributor Patron Spirits.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I brought the glass to my nose, light scents of caramel, sawdust, sandalwood and mildly punky agave were rising from the glass. The tequila is noticeably fuller and oakier than the previously reviewed Patrón Reposado which needed more coaxing to release the oaky scent of sandalwood. Scents of honey and vanilla find their way into the breezes, and the fully decanted glass reveals ‘earthy’ smells of broiled zucchini and oven baked squash…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Patrón Añejo Tequila

I have included another very good cocktail with the review which I call, the Scarlet Ruse. (It turns out Blood Oranges and Tequila work very well together.)

Please enjoy the cocktail and my review!

Posted in Anejo Tequila, Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Patrón Añejo Tequila

Review: Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 12, 2012

Spicebox Whisky is based in Montreal, Quebec where they blend and bottle their Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky. According to their website the spiced whisky is blended from Canadian whisky stocks which are aged from 3 years to 6 years. The spices and vanilla used to flavour the blend are extracted through a process they call cold fusion. Apparently three different vanilla beans are used (from various parts of the world) as well as the blender’s “secret spices”.

The product is bottled at 70 proof or 35 % alcohol by volume and has been brought into the Alberta Marketplace by Mondia Alliance Wine and Spirits of Montreal. here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The whisky displays a nice light copper colour in the glass and a quick tilt of the glass and a slow swirl reveals a light coating of liquid on the inside of the glass which coalesces into thin legs running down into the whisky. The initial aroma is of vanilla and rye spice. I also notice some lighter notes of cinnamon and cloves with perhaps a smattering of nutmeg and citrus zest …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky

As well I have provided a nice bar drink which I call the Spiced Canadian Cooler.

Please enjoy my review and the suggested recipe.

Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky

Review: Patron Reposado Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 8, 2012

Patron Tequila is a pure 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila made from agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. This Agave is 6 to 7 years old when harvested, and the heart of the plant or the piña is all that is used. These piñas are cut and slowly steamed in traditional masonry ovens for 79 hours. The steamed piñas are then shredded and placed into a traditional stone pit, where they are broken into finer pieces with large stone milling wheels called “Tahonas”. The resulting juice is fermented for 72 hours in a wooden fermentation vat, and distilled twice in copper pot stills.

Patrón Reposado Tequila is a blend of unique tequilas which have been aged in oak barrels for an average of six months. I received a sample bottle of the Patron Silver Tequila from Diamond Estates Wine and Spirits, who are the local distributor Patron Spirits.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I brought the glass to my nose, light scents of caramel and mildly punky agave were rising from the glass, and he initial aroma is very enticing. As the glass sits some light scents of sandalwood develop and some hints of honey and vanilla. The decanted glass has a nice ‘earthy’ aroma with fruity accents of broiled zucchini and oven baked squash softening the more pungent agave and muting the peppery spice we usually encounter in a highland tequila… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: Patrón Reposado Tequila

As well I have included a wonderful Tequila cocktail which combines Orange and Mango Soda with Patrón Reposado Tequila; I call my recipe, Bright Orange for the Shroud!

Please enjoy the review and my amazing cocktail!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Reposado Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Patron Reposado Tequila

Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 5, 2012

I would like to welcome Joy Spence, the current Master Blender for Appleton Estate Rum to my website.

I was granted a rare chance to interview Ms. Spence via email in early June just before the launch announcement of Appleton Estate’s brand new and very rare Limited Edition Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve. Ms. Spence speaks clearly about her job as Appleton Estate Rum’s – Master Blender; the incredible heritage of Appleton Estate Rum; and the unique Terrior that is the Nassau Valley where all the sugarcane for Apple Estate Rum is grown. We also discuss the aforementioned Limited Edition Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve as well as my current favourite Appleton Rum the Appleton Estate Master Blenders’ Legacy. We even have some fun learning which rum Ms. Spence would prefer to drink in the Canadian Arctic, and which would be her favourite if she were stranded on a tropical island. Finally Joy Spence surprises even me by revealing her favourite rum cocktail, and for a guy like me who loves to mix great rum with soda, it is a sure-fire winner!

Click here for my interview with Joy Spence….

An Interview with Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence

I hope you all enjoy the interview!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Extras, Interviews, Rum | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence

Review: Demerara Superior High Wine

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 3, 2012

The Diamond Distillery sits on the East Bank of the Demerara River near Georgetown, Guyana. The Distillery was originally part of the Diamond Estate which was the last of the Sugar Plantation Estates in Guyana to produce rum, and it is now home to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

I was given a unique opportunity to witness this facility in operation when I was invited by Woodman Wines and Spirits and Demerara Distillers to travel to Guyana for a very exclusive tour of the DDL facilities. Part of that tour included visiting trade establishments within nearby Georgetown to get a feel for the local retail market. One product which I saw in a lot of the local establishments was Demerara Superior High Wine. This product is a single distilled high-proof ‘high wine’ produced for the local Guyanese market. I was intrigued by this High Wine for two reasons. First, because it seems to be extremely popular in the local market, and second, because it represents the base distillate which DDL produces from the original Diamond Estate Coffey Still No. 3. This is one of the important stills used in the production of their world-class rums.

I requested a small sample of this ‘high wine’ because I wanted to taste this spirit before it was altered by further distillation and/or years of barrel aging. I thought sharing this review here on my website might prove interesting for my readers as well. Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I poured my High Wine into my glencairn glass, I understood very quickly why this product is so popular locally. It displays a very attractive nose. Light scents of sugarcane, hints of banana and orange peel, and a very light ribbon of mint rose to the air almost immediately… “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Demerara Superior High Wine

Please enjoy this glimpse into the unaged Demerara Rum flavour profile !

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Overproof Rum, Rum, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Demerara Superior High Wine

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