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Archive for the ‘Liqueur’ Category

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Review: Blackmaker Root Beer Liqueur

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 20, 2011

I was invited visit the local office of the River Valley Beverage Group recently where I met Doug Robb who took some time out of his day to show me around and let me sample some of the spirits which they were importing into Alberta. Just before I was about to leave (after tasting some downright wonderful stuff) Doug asked me, “Do you like root beer?”

I think the question was rhetorical. After all, who doesn’t like root beer? My answer being firmly in the positive gave Doug a reason to reach into a nearby box and he pulled out a bottle of Blackmaker Root Beer Liqueur.

This root beer liqueur is produced by White Rock Distilleries of Lewiston, Maine. It is apparently made from a combination of wintergreen, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, anise and sweet birch; the combination of which creates an authentic root beer flavour. Although I was given a few other samples to take home and review, curiosity got the best of me, and the first of the sample bottles which was opened in my tasting room was the Blackmaker Root Beer Liqueur.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The color is a deep brown with some reddish tinges, and the aroma from the glass is like an old-fashioned root beer flavoured lollipop. I admit that I just sat back in my chair in my tasting room and enjoyed taking wiffs from my glass relishing in the aroma. It was kind of like being a kid again, except that this root beer lollipop has some real ‘pop’ in the aroma that was never included in the regular variety lollipop…”

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Blackmaker Root Beer Liqueur

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Liqueur Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Blackmaker Root Beer Liqueur

Review: Nemiroff Cranberry (Liqueur)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 21, 2011

For the last several weeks I have been enjoying myself sampling and reviewing various Nemiroff Vodkas and Flavoured Vodkas. Today, however, I am reviewing a the Nemiroff Cranberry, which is a liqueur rather than a flavoured Vodka.  Nemiroff Cranberry is a Vodka based liqueur which derives its flavour not just from Cranberries (apparently hand-picked in Siberian marshes) but also includes the natural flavours of apple juice, elderberries and Hawthorne. As a final touch, Crimean Brandy is used to complement these flavours in a complex but delightful finished product.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The leading flavour is indeed a tart but sweet cranberry juice; but there is a solid influence of sour green apples as well. A light wine-like grape flavour lies underneath which gives the everything a slightly fermented flavour. Then there is something very different that I have never tasted before…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Nemiroff Cranberry (Liqueur)

As well I have included two nice cocktails, A Rumberry Cocktail and a Long Cranberry Cocktail. Please enjoy the reviews and the cocktails.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Nemiroff Cranberry (Liqueur)

Review: Sweet Sippin Canadian Maple Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 11, 2010

As I promised a few weeks ago, I have completed my full review of a nice Maple Whisky Liqueur from Highwood Distillers.   To refresh your memory,  Sweet Sippin’ Maple Whisky is the fusion of three ingredients, Highwood Canadian Rye Whisky (a five-year old wheat based Canadian Whisky), 100% pure natural Amber Maple Syrup from Quebec, and Pure Natural Spring Water.  No additives are used in producing the Maple Whisky which probably accounts for the inviting flavour profile I encountered.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…In the glass, the liqueur has a very nice aroma. A gentle sweet maple rising up with just a hint of rye whisky. The maple is very dominant and effectively hides the more subtle nuances of the whisky.  If one allows the glass to sit caramel tones become apparent,  and very light alcohol tones begin to disperse as well….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Sweet Sippin’ Canadian Maple Whisky

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Introducing 1921 Tequila Cream

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 6, 2010

Today I would like to discuss yet another wonderful spirit which I encountered at the Rocky Mountain Food and Wine Festival, the 1921 Tequila Cream. I will admit that I was a skeptic when the importer for this spirit compared it favourably with other cream liqueurs like Bailey’s Irish Cream, but one sip at the festival, and I was convinced.

1921 Tequila Cream is the only Tequila Cream made in Mexico. It is filled nice cafe mocha flavours and light spices of nutmeg and cinnamon. My Rum Club found it nice when sipped neat, although most web sites I researched recommended using the Cream Tequila in cocktails as a replacement for Irish cream to give the drink a nice Mexican flair.

Ernesto Orozco of Westway L. Ltd. is the importer in my locale, and he was more than happy to supply me with a sample bottle to review.   Here is an excerpt from the review:

“…The 1921 Tequila Cream enters the mouth with a surprising and delicious combination of light tequila/agave  flavour coupled with rich cream, caramel, mocha coffee and a nutty marzipan.  Swimming within the currents of these main flavours are hints of, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate and hazelnut. The light nuance of agave tequila rides the currents throughout, but the agave never becomes sharp or aggressive.  I find the flavour simply outstanding….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: 1921 Tequila Cream

Please enjoy the review and the cocktails which follow.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Tequila Liqueur | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on Introducing 1921 Tequila Cream

And Now for Something Different: Bols Blue

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 10, 2010

Last week I wrote about a Lucas Bols Event at the Devlin Lounge in Edmonton.  I alluded to a brand new cocktail I designed in honor of the 5th annual Bols Around The World Cocktail Competition. This competition is open to all bartenders across the world and although I am no bartender I could not resist breaking open my bottle of Bols Blue and try to get my creative juices flowing.  I started with a well-known Bols Recipe, Electric Lemonade. This is a vodka based drink which combines vodka with Bols Blue in a tall refreshing bar drink that I like very much.

I could not help thinking as I enjoyed it, that I would really like to substitute out the Vodka and replace it with a really good quality gin.  So I omitted the sugar syrup from the recipe, played with the proportion of Bols Blue to Gin, and tried varying amounts of each ingredient until I had it tasting just right.   Last night a few friends were over to watch a movie, and I gave my cocktail the final test.   (My friends claim to despise gin so it is fun to mix up a drink and prove them wrong.)

The verdict was unanimous as all of my friends loved this long sexy bar drink.  Thus my fully tested cocktail creation for the Bols 5th Annual Cocktail Competition is now revealed:

Big Blue Sexy

(please click on the link for the recipe)

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Of course I could not resist providing a full review of the Bols Blue (Curacao) Liqueur that I received as a gift at the Bols Event.  Here is a link to the Bols Blue (Curacao) review:

Review: Bols Blue (Curacao)

I hope everyone enjoys the cocktail and the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur | Tagged: , | Comments Off on And Now for Something Different: Bols Blue

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