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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

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Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 20, 2012

Havana Club’s new Selección de Maestros Rum is an authentic Cuban rum that has recently replaced the Havana Club Barrel Proof in the portfolio of Havana Club Rums. It is my understanding that the Selección de Maestros is produced in the same manner as the Havana Club Barrel Proof, and any differences between the two rums are more a matter of normal variations in batch production than any real difference between the rums.

The rum undergoes a rather unique maturation process where it is first aged in old white oak barrels, and when the final rum is blended, it is then finished in specially ‘selected’ younger finishing casks. I have heard of this ‘Double Barrel’ approach with whisky, but the Havana Club Barrel Proof and now its replacement, the Selección de Maestros, is the first rum that I know of which uses older white oak maturation casks and then younger fresh oak finishing casks.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The immediate nose is of sweet toffee, with a nice complement of cinnamon. Nutmeg and cloves work their way into the breezes along with a little oak, some hot orange peel and a touch of green tobacco. As the glass sits, the aroma of toffee intensifies making the rum seem very attractive, which of course leads me to steal a sip …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

As well I have added a Cuba Libre’ Style cocktail for your enjoyment called, Cuban Cane Harvest.

Please Enjoy my review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

Review: Patrón Silver Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 10, 2012

Patron Silver Tequila is a pure 100% 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 masonry ovens for 79 hours. The steamed piñas are then shredded and placed into a traditional stone pit, where they are broken (or shredded) into finer pieces with a large stone milling wheel called a Tahona. The resulting juice is then fermented for 72 hours in a wooden fermentation vat, and distilled twice in copper pot stills.

As a highland tequila,we can expect the Patron Tequila to exhibit strong fruity citrus notes and to have a little hot pepper in the delivery and the finish. The company was created in 1989 when John Paul DeJoria, and Martin Crowley formed The Patrón Spirits Company with the stated singular goal of producing “the best tequila in the world.”

I received a 375 ml 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:

“… I think it is safe to say that the Patrón Silver has a traditional highland tequila finish filled with spicy white pepper and hot citrus. It is not overly harsh considering the spice; but, neither is it smooth. Some of the earthy agave is present in the exit, but the citrus and the pepper are definitely much more abundant than the earthy herbaceous agave. …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Patrón Silver Tequila

Please enjoy the review and my new cocktail suggestion, The Long Lavender Look.

Cheers!

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Patrón Silver Tequila

Review: Centennial 10 year Old Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 8, 2012

Centennial is a 10 Year Old Whisky produced by Alberta’s own Highwood Distillers. Rather than using corn to as the base grain for this whisky, Highwood uses soft Canadian winter wheat. This gives the Centennial a smooth and soft flavour profile unlike any other Canadian whisky I have encountered. In fact, using grains grown exclusively on the Canadian prairies, distilling the grain in their home Province of Alberta, and aging the spirit in the severe Western Canadian climate for a minimum of ten years, makes  Centennial is a Whisky unlike any other in the world.

Here is an excerpt from my review (originally posted on December 8, 2009) :

“… A clean crisp rye which fairly oozes honey and spice.  This is polished and subdued, with the hard rye buffed and smoothed.  The spices are light and enjoyable, and I find the balance to be superb.  A purist of Canadian rye may complain that the rye sits too far backward in the taste profile, but I disagree… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: Centennial 10 year Old Canadian Rye Whisky

As well I have provided a nice recipe for Canadian Rye Whisky, The Canadian Whisky Splash!

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Centennial 10 year Old Canadian Whisky

Review: Sortilège (Canadian Whisky and Maple Liqueur)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 3, 2012

In Canada we are lucky because maple is practically a national flavour. Even as far away from Maple Syrup Country as the Canadian Rockies (where certainly no maple trees grow) you will find little bottles of real Canadian Maple Syrup for sale in all of the souvenir shops. We have another passion. We also love our Canadian Whisky. So it is not surprising that we have several brands of flavoured spirits which are based upon Canadian Whisky and Maple Syrup.  Sortilège is one of these brands, and it has recently entered my marketplace here in Alberta.

Sortilège is a Canadian Whisky based liqueur produced by Mondia Alliance Wine and Spirits in Montreal, Canada. It is, of course, produced from Maple Syrup and Canadian Whisky. The product arrives in either a 375 ml or a 750 ml bottle and is sold at 30 % alcohol by volume. The bottle I am reviewing is the smaller 375 ml configuration, and it was given to me by the local rep for Mondia Alliance for the specific purpose of a review here on my website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… As the glass sits the maple seems to weave in and out of the breezes dancing merrily with sandalwood and oak, always with the spicy smells of Canadian Rye Whisky bubbling through. The spiciness appeals to me as it reveals tantalizing glimpses of cinnamon, ginger and fruity rye spice …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Sortilège (Maple Syrup Liqueur)

I have included a nice ‘smoothie’ style recipe for your enjoyment called the Maple Leaf Smoothie.

Please enjoy the review and the recipe!

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

Review: Nemiroff Premium Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 29, 2012

Nemiroff Premium Vodka was introduced as an elite-class vodka when it first appeared in the Ukrainian market in March of 1999. According to the Nemiroff website, this premium vodka is produced from a triple distilled spirit which must undergo ten stages of purification/filtration. The final spirit is polished to for clarity with a specially prepared absorbent. As with all Nemiroff Vodkas, only natural ingredients and are used in its production.

I received a sample bottle, and was asked to review the Nemiroff Premium Deluxe Vodka the local importer of Nemiroff Vodka here in Alberta, Canada.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The nose of the Nemiroff vodka when served at this temperature displays a very mild lime citrus with touches of bread dough and a few vaguely sweet and minty scents above the glass. When the Vodka is introduced to my mouth it coats my tongue and my palate with a nice creaminess, and the flavour matches the nose, especially with those light wisps of lime citrus). A spicy grain-like warmth fills the mouth and back of the throat upon swallowing. There is a lingering aftertaste of lime soda….”

You may link to the full review here:

Review: Nemiroff Premium Vodka

Please enjoy the review, and the suggested cocktails which I have provided!

Cheers!

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

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