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Archive for the ‘Extras’ Category

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Football Fun – Ranking the Quarterbacks

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 15, 2013

QuarterbackThis post is just for pure fun. A complete change of pace and direction intended solely for my own benefit. My Top 25 List of the best current NFL Quarterbacks counted down from number 25 to number 1.

My rankings are based purely upon my own speculation of whom I would want to quarterback my team at the start of the next season. Winning the big game is important, but if you can’t win consistently enough in the regular season, then you won’t get a chance to get to the big game.

By the same token, winning throughout the season is important, but if you lose at clutch time, then the season’s stats mean very little. I guess this is the ranking of quarterbacks who I think have the best chance to take a team all the way to the big show and to win the prize.

Click here to find the Rankings.

The Quarterbacks – How they stack up.

Posted in Extras | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Football Fun – Ranking the Quarterbacks

Announcing the 2013 Edmonton Whisky Festival

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 5, 2013

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In Support of the MS Society

Where: Edmonton Delta South

When: Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ticket Price: $75.00 each

This event is a must for any whisky enthusiast or for those new to the exciting world of whisky.

Tickets includes entrance, whisky sampling, and the commemorative Glencairn Whisky Glass.

Chat in a relaxed atmosphere with whisky and scotch principals from across Canada.

All proceeds raised at this event are donated to the MS Society of Canada – Alberta Division.

For more information please contact:

Vines – Riverbend Wine Merchants (Edmonton)
Telephone: 434-9444
Email: info@vineswinemerchants.com

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Posted in Extras, Festivals, Festivals and Events, Fund Raisers | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Announcing the 2013 Edmonton Whisky Festival

Introducing: Alexandre Gabriel (Cognac Ferrand)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 28, 2012

(a reposting of my best interview of 2012)

Allow me to welcome Alexandre Gabriel, President and Owner, of Cognac Ferrand to my website.

Alexandre Gabriel was born in France, on a farm in southern Burgundy near the medieval town of Cluny, where his grandfather taught him how to make wine and distill spirits. He went to university in Lyon, and then in the U.S. as an exchange student, before returning to Paris to attend business school. More than 20 years ago, Alexandre came upon an ancient and almost defunct Cognac house. Through his passion and his vision, Alexandre Gabriel turned this small Cognac House into a specialized house of artisan spirits before the term was even coined. He re-built what is known today as Cognac Ferrand, in the heart of the Grande Champagne district of Cognac.

Mr. Gabriel believes in making spirits for people who enjoy the epicurean life and for the bartenders that make these epicurean libations possible.

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I was given the opportunity to conduct an email interview with Alexandre Gabriel here on my website, and to my delight, Mr. Gabriel exceeded all of my expectations sharing his energy and passion for Craft Spirits. Mr. Gabriel shares how he “fell into a barrel of Cognac” when he was “only 2 years into drinking age by American standards”. He explains why craft spirits are so important to Cognac Ferrand, and whether or not he is he is leading the spirits world into the realms of madness.

We discuss not only Cognac, but also Gin, Vodka and Rum, and then Mr. Gabriel shares not only two of his favourite cocktails with me, but also (after a certain amount of wailing and gnashing of the teeth), his favourite or most treasured spirit which Alexandre would wish for if he were to be stranded on a deserted island…

Here is a link to the full interview:

A Man of Passion: Alexandre Gabriel

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Posted in Brandy and Cognac Reviews, Cocktails & Recipes, Gin, Interviews, Liqueur, Rum, Vodka | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Introducing: Alexandre Gabriel (Cognac Ferrand)

Top 30 Rums Countdown # 1 – Ron Millonario XO Reserva Especial Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 24, 2012

Top 30Ron Millonario XOPeople always ask me, (when they find out about my website), what my favourite rum is. I usually hedge my bets and say something about how it depends upon my mood or what time of year it is. And for the most part, that is a truthful answer. Some spirits seem to taste better in the winter when it is cold, and some seem to find their sweet spot in the summer it is warm and the barbeque is grilling some hot dogs. But if I am really honest, I must admit that there are a few rums which seem to always find my sweet spot regardless of mood or time of the year. The Ron Millonario XO Reserva Especial is one of those great rums which never disappoints me. It never disappointed any of my Judging Panel either!

So without any further hoopla, allow me to introduce the 2012 Rum Howler Rum of the Year, judged by my Panel of Judges to be the Best in the World!

# 1 – Ron Millonario XO Reserva Especial Rum

“…  When I took my first sip of this rum, my immediate reaction what to exclaim, “Oh, that is lovely!” and subsequent sips and samplings have done nothing to dissuade me from this initial reaction. The main flavours of caramel/molasses, oak spice and baking spices seem to be perfectly melded together. Hints of raisin, figs, tobacco and chocolate seem to provide just the right accent to make this a suave mouth watering rum …”

The rum has it all, great depth of flavour, wonderful consistency from nose to mouth to finish, and wonderful balance between all of its elements. I simply love it, and my Judges did too!

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Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Top 30 Rums Countdown # 3 – El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 22, 2012

Top 3021yo-rThe Demerara Distillers Ltd. Master Blender is credited with the creation of El Dorado 21-Year-Old Rum which uses a blend of rums selected from their world-famous stills: their ancient Enmore (wooden Coffey still) and Versailles (single wooden pot still); and the metal Albion (Savalle still). All of the rums in the blend have been aged in oak for a minimum of 21 years, making this one of the oldest production rums in the world. This 21 Year old Rum is part of a family of luxury cask aged rums which also includes a 12-Year-Old Rum,  a 15-Year-Old rum and a 25-Year-Old Rum, all of which have previously set their mark upon my countdown of the 30 best rums in the world.  In my opinion (and in the opinion of all but one of my judges) this 21 Year Old Special Reserve Rum is the absolute best rum that Demerara Distillers produces. It is also number 3 in my list, of the best rums in the world:

#3 – El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve Rum

“… The immediate nose is full of baking spices, orange peel, vanilla, and dry fruits. There are absolutely no medicinal notes or harsh scents associated with the aroma. As the rum decants, I begin to sense glimmers of almonds and hazelnuts weaving through the tapestry of smells, and I sense a building oakiness which is bringing more spice to the fore. The fully decanted glass is steeped with brown sugars and toffee and even features a vague impressions of anisette and apricot brandy …”

Nosing the glass is delightful!

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Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Top 30 Rums Countdown # 3 – El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve Rum

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