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Archive for the ‘Cocktails & Recipes’ Category

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Review: Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 11, 2011

The Auchentoshan Distillery is somewhat of an anomaly amongst Scottish Distillers. It is the only Scottish Distillery that triple distills their entire core range of whisky. Triple distillation is common amongst Irish distillers, but very uncommon for a distillery producing Single Malt Whisky. The result of the triple distillation is a more laid back easy-going style of whisky which perhaps carries more floral elements, but which also may be a little less robust in character than traditional single malts. As such, the Auchentoshan whisky may be more approachable for novice Single Malt Whisky enthusiast.

The Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky is part of that core range of Auchentoshan Single Malts. It is (of course) a triple distilled whisky which has been produced from aged stocks (at least 12 years) of a variety of different barrel types which may include Bourbon Casks, Oloroso Sherry Casks, Pedro Jimenez (Sherry) Casks, and Fine Wine Casks. I recently received a sample bottle of the Auchentoshan 12-year-old from the Regional Manager of Shiralli Agencies which is the local importer and distributor of Morrison Bowmore Products. (The Auchentoshan Distillery and its brands are owned by Morrison Bowmore.)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I poured the Auchentoshan 12 Year Old into my glass, I was quite taken aback by what I encountered on the nose. There was so much going on that I found myself sitting in my tasting room, not tasting anything. Instead I was just sitting there nosing the glass and wondering where all those wonderful scents were coming from…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Please enjoy the review of this surprising Single Malt Whisky as well as the surprisingly good cocktail suggestion, The Sour Scotsman.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Introducing Ceili’s Cream

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 10, 2011

Last week I reviewed Ceili’s Cream Cappuccino and I found it to be a likable cream liqueur with a nice firm coffee flavour. This week I had a chance to taste another Cream Liqueur from Highwood Distilleries, the lightly flavoured Ceili’s Cream. Ceili (pronounced Kay-lee) is an Irish word for a sort of community get-together complete with music, song, dance, and of course, a little food and the drink. Thus Ceili’s Cream is produced to be a Cream Liqueur  suitable for such an occasion. It is a product of Highwood Distillers, and is a cream liqueur which melds authentic Canadian Whisky with a lightly flavoured cream. It is bottled at 15 % alcohol by volume, and occupies the same market niche as Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Kahlua.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The flavour in the mouth is rather sweet with butterscotch and vanilla accented by hints of mocha. The rye influence is very noticeable, and I suspect that some persons will really like this while others would prefer the rye to be more buried in the cream and butterscotch. I also taste a little hint of spice…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Ceili’s Cream

Enjoy!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Cream Liqueur, Liqueur, Liqueur Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Introducing Ceili’s Cream

Arctic Wolf’s Christmas Eggnog

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 9, 2011

I like eggnog at Christmas, and so for the third year in a row I am going to post my favourite recipe for Christmas Eggnog.

This is a simple recipe in terms of ingredients, but it requires a bit of a baker’s touch get it just right. I switched up the Rum and the Whisky in the recipe from last year and found it to be as good as ever.

Arctic Wolf’s Christmas Eggnog
(This makes about four servings. )

3 eggs at room temperature, (yolk and whites separated)
3/8 cup sugar (for the yolks)
3 tablespoons sugar (for the whites)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
a touch fresh ground cloves (About 1/16 of a teaspoon)
a pinch of fresh grated nutmeg (About 1/8 of a teaspoon)
a dash of fresh ground cinnamon (About 3 /16 of a teaspoon)
1 1/2 cups whipping cream, chilled
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup Spiced Rum (George Street Spiced)
2/3 cup Bourbon Whiskey (Knob Creek)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is how to make it:

First the yolks

Separate your egg yolks and your egg whites in two bowls. Whisk the first amount of sugar and the vanilla into the egg yolks. Add a touch of  ground cloves, a pinch of nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon into the yolk bowl. Add the cream, the milk and the rum and whisky (for adult consumption only). Make sure everything is mixed thoroughly.

Now the whites

This is where a baker’s touch is necessary.
Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks (3-4 minutes). Add the second amount of sugar slowly during this beating process.

Now we combine

Gently and with large circular motions blend the egg white mixture into the yolk mixture, trying to keep things as ‘poofy’ as possible.

Sprinkle a little left over spice on the top of each glass, and enjoy with your favourite chocolates!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Posted in American Whiskey, Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Howls, Rum, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Review: Hendrick’s Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 7, 2011

The people who make Hendrick’s Gin pride themselves on being just a little quirky, and perhaps a bit eccentric. Their offbeat website revels in the odd and the peculiar and tries to convince all who peruse the site that Hendrick’s Gin is special exactly because of the things which make it odd and peculiar.

The gin is produced in Scotland, in the village of Girvin, Ayrshire by William Grant & Sons (who are perhaps better known for their whisky distillations than their gin). It is made small batches (450 litre batch size) using two unusual stills, a copper Bennett Still which has been dated to 1860, and a Carter-Headstill made in 1948. These stills each serve a different purpose, but together they create a unique gin made with 11 different botanicals, and infused with cucumber and rose petals one batch at a time.

I was provided with a bottle of Hendricks Gin by the William Grant media team here in Canada for the purpose of a review on my website. I guess it is time to find out if the Gin is as peculiarly good tasting as advertised.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The nose begins with mild citrus tones which are accented by juniper.  I catch hints of lemon-lime and orange as well as a fleeting impression of black licorice and fennel. The impressions continue to be fleeting with hints of light familiar scents, perhaps a touch of lilac, and perhaps something more earthy like damp moss. This is very complex …”

You may read my full review as well as my take on a quirky Gin and Tonic by clicking the link below:

Review: Hendrick’s Gin

Please enjoy the review and the quirky cocktail!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Hendrick’s Gin

Introducing: St-Rémy à la Crème

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 4, 2011

St-Rémy à la Crème is a rich and creamy liqueur which melds authentic French Brandy with smooth cream and the soft subtle flavours of caramel, chocolate and walnut. It is bottled at 15 % alcohol by volume and occupies the same market niche as Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Kahlua. The producer, St-Rémy, has been making French Brandy ever since the distillery’s opening in 1886, and the à la Crème is their latest product creation.

I was given a sample bottle of this new product by the Select Wines Marketing Team here in Alberta, and I am happy to share my review of the very first Brandy based cream liqueur I have tried.

Here is an excerpt from that review:

“…The balance between the caramel and the chocolate is just right. The hints of coffee goodness and the subtle flavours of the walnut and the vanilla entice me further. Finally there is a hint of soft spiciness, (cinnamon and nutmeg) which provides just the right compliment to the overall flavour…”

You may read the full review here:

Review:  St-Rémy à la Crème

I have also included two great cocktails at the end the review, Black Velvet, and the Orange Velvet Kiss.

Please enjoy the review and the recipes.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Cream Liqueur, Liqueur, Liqueur Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Introducing: St-Rémy à la Crème

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