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Archive for the ‘Liqueur Review’ Category

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Review: Luxardo Maraschino (Originale)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 20, 2014

MaraschinoAbout a year and a half ago I met Matteo Luxardo, who is the Export Manager of Luxardo S.P.A. and part of that sixth generation who are still active in the ownership and management of the distilling company which bears their name. We met at a small gathering sponsored by Lifford Wines who bring a wide range of the classic Italian liqueurs produced by Luxardo into the Alberta Market. A few of these products include, Amaretto, Grappa, Sambuca, Limencello, and of course Luxardo Maraschino.

The unique flavour of Maraschino Originale is a product of the fruit of the Marasca cherry (exclusively cultivated in orchards owned by Luxardo). Matteo explained to those of us at the gathering that Luxardo Maraschino (Originale) is one of the very few liqueurs in the world which is produced through distillation.

Bluebird of Happiness

Bluebird of Happiness

You may read my full review of the Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur by clicking on the following excerpt (link):

Review: Luxardo Maraschino (Originale)

“… The air above the glass is very sweet with the somewhat penetrating scent of the Marasca cherry. This scent resembles Turkish Delight with a lightly spicy twist. There is also a bit of an earthy almond-like scent underlying that cherry aroma which seems to bear a resemblance to the aroma crushed apple seeds …”

Of course my review includes a nice cocktail, the Bluebird of Happiness, which was inspired by the original Bluebird cocktail credited to W.J. Tarling.

Enjoy the review everyone, and let us hope the snow that is falling on this the first day of spring is but a blip in the weather, and the Bluebird of happiness will be singing her song of spring very soon!

Posted in Liqueur, Liqueur Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Luxardo Maraschino (Originale)

Review: Amaretto di Saschira (Luxardo)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 8, 2014

Luxardo AmarettoLuxardo S.P.A. was founded in 1821 in Zara, a port city on the Dalmatian coast of what is now the Republic of Croatia. At the conclusion of World War II and as a consequence of the borders within Europe having been redrawn, the company transferred its holdings to Torreglia in 1947, and has remained an Italian Company, 100% controlled by the founding family.

Amaretto di Saschira is the Company’s almond based liqueur, and according to Global Export Manager,  Matteo Luxardo, whom I met in Edmonton about 16 months ago, this Amaretto is produced using natural ingredients which include real almonds for flavouring. Matteo indicated the liqueur will be slightly drier than other Amaretto brands featuring the well-rounded taste of both natural almonds and vanilla. The spirit is bottled at 28 % alcohol by volume and packaged in an elegant bottle created by German designer Ady Ferner.

Photo courtesy forrest

Photo courtesy forrest

You may read my full review by clicking the following excerpt link:

Review: Amaretto di Saschira (Luxardo)

“… The nose is sweet and inviting with a strong likeness to marzipan (a mixture of crushed almonds and powdered sugar), and with a very noticeable vanilla overtone. I also sense hints of orange peel, and an underlying earthiness which reminds me of crushed apple seeds …”

Please enjoy the review which includes a great recipe which combines an aged oaky rum with Amaretto di Saschira. This is an original cocktail which was created by my good friend, forrest, (who has a wonderful site called “a drink with forrest“)  and myself in one of our many recipe collaborations.

Cheers everyone!

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Review: Southern Comfort

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 22, 2014

sc1Southern Comfort is a spirit which has been part of my liquor cabinet for some years now. I use the liqueur as a cocktail spirit to dress up some of my long tall bar drinks. I received a small bottle as an advent gift about four days before Christmas this year, and I decided it would be fun to put this drink through the paces of my review system.

When I went to the Southern Comfort website to learn a bit about this spirit, I was quite surprised when the web button on the bottom of their product description page linked me to Wikipedia for a more complete description of their spirit. According to that Wikipedia page,  Southern Comfort is “an American liqueur made from neutral spirits with fruit, spice and whiskey flavorings”. It was created in 1874 by an Irish American bartender named Martin Wilkes Heron, and its original name was ‘cuff and buttons’. Today the brand is owned and produced by Brown Forman, and in Canada it is bottled and sold at 35 % alcohol by volume.

You may click on the following excerpt to read my full review:
Alabama Slammer

Review: Southern Comfort

“… The initial aroma from that glass was lightly astringent, but also quite pleasing with a menagerie of herb-like and lightly spicy aromas rising into the air. Vanilla, cinnamon and butterscotch seem to be predominant; but I also catch glimpses of orange and lemon citrus, some red BC cherry stones, a bit of nutmeg, spicy clove …”

My review includes a nice recipe suggestion, the Alabama Slammer, which uses the goodness of Southern Comfort mixed with Sloe Gin, Amaretto and Orange Juice.

Please enjoy my latest review!

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Review: Sortilège Prestige

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 13, 2013

prestiqueSortilège Prestige is a Canadian Whisky based liqueur produced by Mondia Alliance Wine and Spirits in Montreal, Canada. According to the Sortilège website the product is handcrafted in small batches by combining Canada #1 – Extra Clear Maple Syrup (only available at the first thaw) with a 7 Year Old – 100 % Rye Grain Canadian Whisky. The final product is bottled at 40.9% alcohol by volume and is considered by the producer to be a more premium version of their Sortilège Original.

You may read my full review of this spirit by clicking on the following excerpt link:

Review: Sortilège Prestige

“… The flavoured whisky is somewhat ‘thickened’ in my glass displaying a rich brown mahogany/copper colour that actually reminds me of dark maple syrup. The aroma from the glass is very reminiscent of the previously reviewed Sortilège Original, although there is perhaps a stronger push of maple into the breezes above the glass due to the higher alcohol content (40.9% vs 30 %) of the Prestige …”

Please enjoy my review!

And to all my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Sortilège Prestige

Review: Agavero (Licor de Tequila)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 2, 2013

AgaveroAgavero is a blend of 100% blue agave Tequila (Reposado and Anejo), and the essence of the Damiana Flower. This is not a true Tequila spirit but rather a Tequila based liqueur. Lazaro Gallardo, the founder of Los Camichines Distillery, in Jalisco, Mexico, is credited with creating Agavero in 1857. It is produced as a sipping liqueur meant for those who want a lighter, sweeter and more refined Tequila experience.

Previously, Agavero was distributed worldwide by the Diageo conglomerate, however the brand was recently transferred to Proximo Spirits who have been increasing their presence on the world stage by acquiring key brands of distilled spirits such as Matusalem Rum, and Jose Cuervo Tequila. Agavero (Licor de Tequila) is bottled at 32 per cent alcohol by volume, and is currently distributed in my home market by The Kirkwood Group.

You may read the full review by clicking on the excerpt below:

Review: Agavero (Licor de Tequila)

“…The agave flavour, the orange and lime citrus notes, and the hot pepper burst are all felled into submission by a sweet sugary syrup. The result is a mild, somewhat pleasing combination of punky agave and sweet syrup…”

Please enjoy my review which includes a nice Margarita style cocktail, cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Tequila Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Agavero (Licor de Tequila)

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