Archive for the ‘Awards’ Category
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 23, 2016
Panama Red 108 is a Panamanian rum brought to you by PANAMONTE BRANDS. The rum is handcrafted by the creator of Zafra Master Reserve, Master Blender, Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez. It is produced from the sugar cane that grew in Las Cabras de Pese, the same region where the Distillery is located.
Although the rum is stated as overproof, Don Pancho has assured me that the rum will feel much smoother in the mouth than a typical overproof rum. It has as its base, a 3 year molasses based rum which is aged in used Bourbon casks at the distillery warehouse in Pese.
Don Pancho was certainly accurate in his assessment, and his wonderful rum is the Number 2 spirit in my 2016 Rum Howler Top 50 Mixing Rum Countdown. Here is my original review:
“… After just a few sips, the rum has heated the mouth with orange peel spiciness, and then I began to notice the baking spices building. The longer I allowed the glass to decant, the richer and more complex the flavour became as the baking spices continued to build in the glass to the benefit of my palate …”
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Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I will be revealing my choice for the Number 1 Cocktail Rum in the entire world, stay tuned!
And you can follow the rankings by bookmarking this page:
The Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown
Posted in Awards, Extras, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 2016 Rum Howler Top 50, Mixing Rum Countdown, MixingRum, Overproof, Panama Red 108, Rum, Top 50 Mixing Rum | Comments Off on Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rum Countdown #2: Panama Red 108
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 23, 2016
In November of 2005, Highwood Distillers finalized the purchase of Potters Distilleries (founded by Ernie Potter in 1958). Part of this acquisition, was the purchase of all of the remaining barrel aged stocks of whisky in the Potters facility. The whisky brands which Potters Distilleries had established (Century and Potters) were added to Highwood’s portfolio of spirits where they have not only been maintained but also expanded upon. Part of that expansion was the 2013 addition of the ‘Ninety’ branded whiskies to the Century Distillers line-up.
Highwood Distillers chose the brand name ‘Ninety’ for their new corn grain whiskies because these whiskies are bottled at 90 proof (or 45 % alcohol by volume) rather than the usual 80 proof (40 % alcohol by volume). The higher bottling strength means that the final whisky will retain a character closer to the original cask strength whiskies from which they were blended. In the case of the Ninety “Decades of Richness” 20 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky, the bulk of blend almost certainly has been drawn from Highwood’s treasured reserves of remaining Potters whisky stocks which are rumoured to contain barrels of whisky as old as 33 years.
Here is a link to the number 2 ranked whisky in my 2016 Rum Howler Canadian Whisky Countdown:
“… The different aspects of the aroma (the wood and rye spiciness and the corn and butterscotch sweetness) are melded together beautifully creating a very enticing aroma in the air above the glass. As I enjoy those breezes, I also notice impressions of creamy vanilla pudding, hints of almond turning to sweeter marzipan, zesty orange peel turning to sticky marmalade, and lightly sweetened cereal grain …”
Stay tuned as the countdown continues tomorrow with the Number 1 Canadian Whisky.
Chimo!
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* You may follow my 2016 Canadian Whisky Countdown by bookmarking this link:
The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016
Posted in Awards, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: 20 Year Old, 2016 Rum Howler Canadian Whisky Countdown, Canadian Whisky, Century Distillers, Decades of Richness, Highwood Distillers, Ninety, Review, Top 50 Canadain Whisky | 2 Comments »
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 22, 2016
Pineapple Rum was quite a popular delicacy in the 19th century. In fact, in Charles Dickens first serial novel The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (published in 19 monthly magazine instalments, from March 1836 to October 1837), Pineapple Rum is the preferred tipple of the fictitious Reverend Stiggins, who while publicly preaching temperance, secretly enjoys his pineapple rum, usually mixed with hot tea.
Alexander Gabriel (President and Owner, of Cognac Ferrand) in collaboration with Dave Wondrich (cocktail guru and author of Imbibe) researched the original recipes of Pineapple Rum, and then set about to re-create this lost libation.
The collaboration was an unmitigated success and their Stiggins’ Fancy Plantation Pineapple Rum has roared up my list to grab the honour of being the 3rd best Mixing Rum in my 2016 Countdown.
Here is a link to my recent review:
“… Alexandre Gabriel and Dave Wondrich created this spirit with and eye towards cocktails, and so I thought I would try my hand at mixing one. With the pineapple accent so obvious within the rum, I decided that pairing that flavour with lime make the most sense. I added a bit of Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, a dash of bitters and a touch of sugar syrup and shook it over ice. The result was wonderful …”
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Stay tuned for more mixing rum revelations as I will be adding to this list each day until Christmas Eve.
And you can follow the rankings by bookmarking this page:
The Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown
Posted in Awards, Extras, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 2016 Rum Howler Top 50, Fancy, Mixing Rum Countdown, Pineapple, Plantation Rum, Review, Rum, Stiggins, Top 50 Mixing Rums | Comments Off on 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rum Countdown #3: Stiggins’ Fancy Plantation Pineapple Rum
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 22, 2016
I began hearing about Mt. Logan Whisky just this past summer as a few of my regular readers sent me requests for a review. When I researched the brand, I discovered it was a ‘destination’ brand exclusive to Liquor Depot and Wine & Beyond (Liquor Stores N.A. Inc.) stores in Western Canada. Apparently, Ryan Engen, Director of Spirits, Liquor Stores N.A. Inc., worked closely with Highwood Distillers to produce a new Canadian WHisky range for their family of Liquor Stores.
According to the label on the back of the bottle, Mt. Logan 20 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky is produced in a batch style distillation with the spirit was matured in charred American white oak. According to Ryan, the spirit is a 100 % corn whisky blend making this a true Single Grain Whisky.
Here is a link to the 3rd Best Canadian Whisky in the World, the Mt. Logan 20 Year Old Whisky.
“… The initial breezes above that glass are rich with vanilla, dusty dry oak spice, butterscotch and canned creamed corn. The strength and purity of the corn scent surprises and delights me. As the whisky breathes, the fine oak spices gain momentum. Orange peel begins to turn to marmalade as the butterscotch melds into the spice; dark tobacco wells up; and a firm sense of marzipan begins to unravel into the breezes …”
Stay tuned as the countdown continues tomorrow with the Number 2 Canadian Whisky.
Chimo!
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* You may follow my 2016 Canadian Whisky Countdown by bookmarking this link:
The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016
Posted in Awards, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: 20 Year Old, 2016 Rum Howler Canadian Whisky Countdown, Canadian, Mt. Logan, Review, Rum howler, Top 50 Canadain Whisky, Whisky | Comments Off on Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown #3: Mt. Logan 20 Year Old
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 21, 2016
For the first time in 5 years, I did not publish a daily countdown for the Best Rums of the Year. I did however compile a list, and this is my reveal of the Rum Howler Top 50 Rums of 2016.
Every year when I publish my annual list I receive emails wondering why certain rums were left off. It always boils down to the same two answers.
- That particular Rum just wasn’t up to the standard of the rest of the spirits on the list.
- That particular spirit was not made available for me to taste and access in time for inclusion.
On the first score, I make no apologies for my rankings. Just because some other publication or a particular marketing campaign says that such and such a rum is the Elixir of the Gods, that doesn’t make it so. I trust my tasting sessions. I do not trust marketing hype.
If you are wondering how your favourite rum fared this year, Here is my Rum Howler List of the Top 50 Rums of 2016:
Just in time for Christmas giving!
Chimo!
Posted in Awards, Extras, Rum | Tagged: 2016, Rum howler, Rup, Top 50 Rums | 2 Comments »
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