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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

Review: Effen Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 24, 2012

A few months back a good friend of mine (actually Lance from Liquorature) gave me a bottle of Effen Vodka. It has taken me a while to put the spirit on my review schedule, but recently I invited a few friends over for a Sunday Afternoon Vodka tasting, and I had the chance to taste this spirit alongside four other premium spirits.

Effen Vodka, is produced from wheat grown in Northern Holland which has been continuously distilled at (what their website says is) a lower temperatures than other Vodkas to avoid caramelization of the sugars during distillation. The product is filtered five times through a patented ‘bottom-up’ process which apparently pumps the spirit up through the filtrate.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… I noticed the spirit was extremely creamy when served at a temperature that was just above freezing. I let my nose take a few cautious sniffs. My first impression was that this  spirit was what I would call grainy and medicinal. It had a light vegetal aroma reminding me of a raw alcohol which had just been distilled…”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Effen Vodka

As well I have included a recipe for a brand new cocktail I call, the Green NV.

Please enjoy my review and my cocktail suggestion!

Cheers!

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Review: Citadelle 6C Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 8, 2012

Citadelle 6C Vodka is a handcrafted spirit produced by Cognac Ferrand. This vodka is initially distilled in a five column still. However the final distillation is carried out on a small copper Charentias pot still. It is during this sixth distillation that very small quantities of a few secret ingredients are incorporated into the distillation. The Citadelle Vodka website gives vague references to special barks and spices but otherwise remains mum on exactly what these secret ingredients are.

It is this sixth distillation which gives the vodka its name, 6C, representing the sixth distillation on the Charentias still which is where the master distiller uses his art to create the delicate flavours which add special character (and delicate flavour) to the Vodka.

This product is not available in my home market. I was sent a bottle by the producer, Cognac Ferrand to review on my website as they welcome the world-wide exposure which my reviews receive. Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When it was time to sample the Citadelle Vodka, I poured out 5 shot-glasses , one for each of us, and we began to take notes. Everyone agreed the vodka was very clean with only whispers of aroma in the glass. A light touch of grain was all anyone could smell (although at warmer temperature a hint of lemon-lime citrus is also evident)… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: Citadelle 6C Vodka

As well I have included some nice recipes for your enjoyment.

Please enjoy the recipes and my review!

Cheers!

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Review: Pampero Seleccion 1938 Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 3, 2012

In 1938, a distillery in Venezuela was established called Industrias Pampero, C.A.. This distillery is said to be the first distillery in Venezuela to set the high standards for which Venezuelan Rum is now famous for. Their flagship rum,  Pampero Seleccion 1938 is a rum which unfortunately is unavailable any longer where I live in Alberta, because Diageo, the spirits conglomerate which currently owns the rights to the Pampero brand outside of Venezuela, has chosen not to market this rum in my locale. The way it was explained to me is that boutique brands such as Pampero, regardless of how well-regarded they may be, just don’t sell well enough in my market to warrant the effort.

I found what I believe was one of the last bottles for sale in Edmonton about two years ago and now, two years later, I cannot find the rum anywhere in the Province. Sadly, it seems the entire family of Pampero rums will be absent from Alberta shelves for quite a while. I did however review the bottle I found, and here is an excerpt from that review:

“…The rum looks dark and rich with red streaks.  The glass smells of nutmeg and roasted hazelnut.  A very faint cigar and leather aroma lies under a dark caramel molasses and is very inviting.  There is a very small medicinal quality to the nose indicating a younger spirit than I was expecting…”

Here is a link to the full review”

Review: Pampero Seleccion 1938 Rum

As part of the review I have provided my Cocktail Recipe, The Selection Cocktail.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail!

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Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 29, 2012

The Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum is a pot-distilled, Demerara rum which is produced from molasses using an extra long fermentation period prior to distillation. The rum is first aged in Guyana in used bourbon barrels after which it is transported from Jamaica to France by Cognac Ferrand to be finished in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks.

Cognac Ferrand has long had a special relationship with a variety of Caribbean rum producers which is based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Based upon this relationship, Cognac Ferrand is able to acquire certain old and unique batches of rum from various Caribbean sources, which they bring back to France and finish in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks. This Demerera Rum was one such unique batch of rum acquired by Cognac Ferrand. It was bottled at 42 % alcohol by volume as part of Cognac Ferrand’s growing line-up of Plantation Rum.

Here is an Excerpt from my Review:

“…The initial nose from the glass is full of oak tannins which have been tainted with a woody spiciness, rich toffee,and orange peel. I smell light baking, an almond nuttiness, and a firm vanilla. I like the nose, it is spicy, and full of character…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Please enjoy the review and the wonderful cocktail suggestion I have for this fine rum!

Cheers!

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Review: Zirkova Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 25, 2012

Zirkova Vodka is a relatively new Vodka brought to the market here in Canada by Multiculture Bevco owners of the Slava Ultra Premium Vodka and Zirkova Vodka brands. Although this company is based in Oakville, Ontario, the Zirkova is an authentic Ukrainian Vodka produced in the Cherkassy region of Ukraine at the Zlatogor Distillery from rye and wheat grain. This Premium Vodka is four times distilled with only the ‘center cut’ of each distillation brought forward to the final spirit.

I spent a little time with John Vellinga at the Rocky Mountain Food and Wine Festival this past fall. He is the founder of both the Zirkova and Slava Vodka brands and the CEO of Multiculture Bevco. I found that Mr Vellinga is passionate about his Vodka, and this passion was evident in our discussions as he went to great lengths not only in educating me about his Vodka production, but he also poured me several shots and cocktails to demonstrate the character of both of his Vodka brands in the glass.

I was given a bottle of Zirkova Vodka by the local distributor, River Valley Beverage Group for the purpose of a review here on my website. Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The Zirkova is not as creamy as some of the more recent vodkas my tasting group have tried. It is, however, very clean upon the palate, and as I swallowed this first sip, it was very clean in the throat as well. A mellow rye-spice ‘heat’ is present in my throat after I swallow. I detect no bitterness, only a very light aftertaste of rye and a delicate impression of lemon-lime flavour of citrus zest… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Zirkova Vodka

As well I have included a recipe for the Rustic Breeze, a cosmopolitan style cocktail with a nice raspberry twist.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail recipe!

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