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Archive for the ‘Dark Rums’ Category

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Review: London Dock Rum (Favell’s 100 Proof)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 3, 2012

 

Favell’s London Dock Rum is (according to the label anyways) blended and bottled in Canada for White Favell (Vinters). The Canadian agency responsible for blending and bottling this rum is the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC).

The label tells us that London Dock is a Demerara Rum produced in Guyana; therefore I can deduce that the rum was distilled on the East Bank of the Demerara River at the facilities of Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL).  (This information was confirmed to me by both the NLC and Demerara Distillers.) It is apparently produced from original marques of rum which in the past would have been shipped to England to mature in the London Docks, hence the name London Dock Rum. Of course, the rum no longer travels to England to mature, rather it travels from Demerara County in Guyana in bulk to St. John’s Newfoundland to be blended bottled by the NLC. London Dock is an old style Demerara rum, with strong flavours of molasses and treacle.

(I was given a sample bottle by the NLC for the purpose of a review here on my website.)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The Rum has a strong aromas of molasses and burnt caramel. There is also a bit of astringency rising into the air which is not unexpected from a young overproof rum. I say young because I detect only a light  ‘woodiness’ rising from the glass. Other scents drift up from the glass into the breezes, in particular I notice a bit of orange marmalade and banana peel …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: London Dock Rum (Favell’s 100 Proof)

As well please enjoy my suggested cocktail, the Cosmopolitan Rum Swizzle!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: London Dock Rum (Favell’s 100 Proof)

Review: London Dock Rum (Favell’s 70 Proof)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 3, 2012

Favell’s London Dock Rum is (according to the label anyways) is blended and bottled in Canada for White Favell (Vinters). The Canadian agency responsible for blending and bottling this rum is the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC).

The label tells us that London Dock is a Demerara Rum produced in Guyana; therefore I can deduce that the rum was distilled on the East Bank of the Demerara River at the facilities of Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL).  (This information was confirmed to me by both the NLC and Demerara Distillers.) It is apparently produced from original marques of rum which in the past would have been shipped to England to mature in the London Docks, hence the name London Dock Rum. Of course, the rum no longer travels to England to mature, rather it travels from Demerara County in Guyana in bulk to St. John’s Newfoundland to be blended bottled by the NLC. London Dock is an old style Demerara rum, with strong flavours of molasses and treacle.

(I was given a sample bottle by the NLC for the purpose of a review here on my website.)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The London Dock Rum has a strong aroma of molasses and burnt caramel, and there is only a light essence of ‘woodiness’ rising from the glass. (My general impression from the aroma is that the rum has been aged somewhere in the range of two years or so.) Other smells drift up from the glass, a bit of orange and banana peel, some indications of vanilla and some  medium sweet baking spices …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: London Dock Rum (Favell’s 70 Proof)

Included with the review are two cocktail suggestions for this rum, the Mandeville, and Baron Bliss.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktails suggestions that follow, Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: London Dock Rum (Favell’s 70 Proof)

APPLETON ESTATE BARTENDER CHALLENGE (CANADA)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 26, 2012

I was sent an interesting press release yesterday, Apparently Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum is having a nationwide contest to find the best bartender in Canada as part of their Appleton Estate Bartender Challenge. I love cocktails so I thought I should throw up the essential details from the presser here on my website.

If you think you can mix a mean cocktail, then maybe you should head over to the Appleton Estate Bartender Challenge Canada Facebook page to obtain all of the rules and regulations of the contest which is open until June 30th (the contest is available to all Canadian Bartenders and Wait Staff). The winner will be announced on August 12th, and (this is the good part) will be awarded an all expense paid trip to Jamaica to represent Canada in the Appleton Estate Jamaica International Bartender Challenge in October 2012. Those interested in participating must submit a video entry of themselves mixing an Appleton Estate V/X and an Appleton Estate Reserve cocktail, using Angostura Bitters as an ingredient in one of their original creations. Four finalists will be notified on July 15th and their respective cocktail recipes will go on to be judged by a panel of local experts and media on the basis of flavour, originality, creativity, presentation, technique, style and knowledge of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum.

To get you in the mood here is one of my original Appleton Estate Rum Cocktails!

Cheers!

The Appleton Celebration

2 oz Appleton Reserve Rum
2 oz  Fresh Squeezed and strained Pink Grapefuit Juice
3/4 oz  London Dry Gin
2 dashes Angostura bittlers
1 teaspoon Grenadine
ice
1/4 oz Sloe Gin
lemon slice for garnish

Combine the first five ingredients into a metal shaker with ice.
Shake until the metal shaker chills.
Strain into a cocktail glass (with or without ice).
Float the sloe gin on top
Garnish with lemon slice

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on APPLETON ESTATE BARTENDER CHALLENGE (CANADA)

Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 20, 2012

Havana Club’s new Selección de Maestros Rum is an authentic Cuban rum that has recently replaced the Havana Club Barrel Proof in the portfolio of Havana Club Rums. It is my understanding that the Selección de Maestros is produced in the same manner as the Havana Club Barrel Proof, and any differences between the two rums are more a matter of normal variations in batch production than any real difference between the rums.

The rum undergoes a rather unique maturation process where it is first aged in old white oak barrels, and when the final rum is blended, it is then finished in specially ‘selected’ younger finishing casks. I have heard of this ‘Double Barrel’ approach with whisky, but the Havana Club Barrel Proof and now its replacement, the Selección de Maestros, is the first rum that I know of which uses older white oak maturation casks and then younger fresh oak finishing casks.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The immediate nose is of sweet toffee, with a nice complement of cinnamon. Nutmeg and cloves work their way into the breezes along with a little oak, some hot orange peel and a touch of green tobacco. As the glass sits, the aroma of toffee intensifies making the rum seem very attractive, which of course leads me to steal a sip …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

As well I have added a Cuba Libre’ Style cocktail for your enjoyment called, Cuban Cane Harvest.

Please Enjoy my review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Havana Club Selección de Maestros Rum

Introducing: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 19, 2012

Captain Morgan Rum has just expanded their range of spiced rums to include a new “Black” spiced rum. I suspect that the recent success of  the Kraken Black Spiced Rum has motivated a move in this direction in order to garner a segment of this market. Of course the launch of the Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum was accompanied with a slick media campaign which you are probably aware of already, but in case you are not, I shall relate a little of the information here.

The newest addition to the Captain Morgan Brand was apparently inspired by the story of Captain Morgan’s burial on the shores of Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica in 1688. As it was related to me, an earthquake struck Jamaica, just after the good Captain was buried. His casket was dislodged from its tomb and washed out to sea. It was never recovered, and to this day it has been suggested that perhaps his spirit lives on haunting the seas of the Caribbean searching for his lost remains. The imagery of the background story is captured in the bottle presentation. As the bottle empties, images of Captain Henry Morgan’s casket and skeleton are revealed inside the bottle on the backside of the front label.

In addition to the background story, the promotional information sent to me by the PR firm for Captain Morgan Rum tells me

  “Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum is a mature and carefully crafted spirit that is meant to be savored like a fine whiskey or enjoyed in a classic cocktail. We believe this bold, interesting and unexpected new offering has the potential to make Captain Morgan the preferred spirit among a segment of consumers we don’t currently reach with our existing portfolio.”

In keeping with that claim, the Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum was constructed from a base of Caribbean Blackstrap rum and selected ingredients which include clove spice and cassia bark (cinnamon). The rum was also finished in double charred blackened oak to add additional smoothness and character.

I have been told that this black spiced rum has a bold, edgy look and feel, and is considered to be a complete departure from the Original Spiced Rum. The marketing campaign and the rum are designed a to bring to life the darker, more mysterious side of the real-life brand icon, Captain Henry Morgan. Of course, I cannot confirm nor deny any of the claims as to the quality of the spirit or whether this rum is truly something different…, yet.

However, samples are on the way, and you can expect a detailed review soon after they arrive. In the meantime, perhaps you could enjoy my reviews of the rest of the Captain Morgan line-up:

BTW: Although I have not received my sample as yet, Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum is apparently already in stores now. If anyone has tried some, feel free to give me feedback.

Cheers everyone!

Posted in Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Introducing: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

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