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Archive for the ‘Rum’ Category

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Top 30 Rums Countdown begins with Cruzan Single Barrel

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 23, 2012

This year, when I was deliberating over my 2012 Rum Howler Awards, it occurred to me that the line-up of rum which I had tasted over the past year was impressive. When I further considered all the rums I had tasted since I opened this website, I realized this was indeed an impressive amount of rum that I have tasted and scored. Adding it all up, I have tasting and scoring notes for over 300 rums which I have had the privilege of sampling over the past four years. (Note: In addition to the nearly 175 rum reviews I have published on this site, I also have tasting notes and scores compiled for over 125 more rums which I encountered at various festivals and judging events which I have attended.) This gives me a broad perspective on the world of rum. And perhaps, all this rum tasting and scoring gives me at least some of the qualifications to embark on a very particular quest to uncover and list the Best Rums in the World.

If you are interested in such things, a detailed explanation of how I came up with this list is available here, (The Rum Howler 2012 Top 30 Rums). This web page also contains the complete list in reverse order. One catch, is that I will be filling that list out over the next several weeks, one rum at a time, countdown style. As I fill out the list, I will be providing my most up to date review for that particular Rum. Some of these rums have been reviewed previously, and those reviews will be updated if required to reflect my feelings on the most recent bottling. Some of the Rums on the list will be reviewed for the first time. Although the effort put into this project was very significant, I hope that those who read the reviews and follow the countdown have some fun. Disagreement with my Panel of Judges is welcome, and so are questions about the list.

I shall begin the list with the 30th Best Rum in the World as chosen by myself and my esteemed Panel of Judges:

#30 –   Cruzan Single Barrel Rum

I hope everyone enjoys my 2012 Top 30 Rums Countdown!

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Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Top 30 Rums Countdown begins with Cruzan Single Barrel

Demerara Distillers’ Diamond Distillery

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 20, 2012

The Diamond Distillery sits on the East Bank of the Demerara River near Georgetown, Guyana. I was given a unique opportunity to witness this facility in operation when I was invited by Demerara Distillers and Woodman Wines and Spirits to travel to Guyana for a very exclusive tour of their operations. Led by Operations Manager, Lennox Shaun Caleb, I was allowed to tour the Diamond Distillery on April 14, 2012 with a small group of Canadian Spirits Writers and Restauranteurs. Some of the Stills I saw in operation were over 250 years of age, and they are still producing (as closely as possible) the same historic marques of rum which they produced on the estates from whence they came. Superimposed upon the scene of ancient Stills and equipment is the dichotomy of a brand new distillation plant which works side by side with the historic stills. The new distillation plant represents a bridge to DDL’s future of new technology and methods of production. However, by continuing to operate the old plant and maintaining the unique marques of rum upon which the company built its original success, the foundations for that bridge to the future have been set firmly in their historic past.

Here is a link to my write-up on the Diamond Distillery Tour:

Demerara Distillers’ Diamond Distillery Tour

Posted in Distillery Tour, Extras, Rum | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Demerara Distillers’ Diamond Distillery

The Year In Rum (Part 2 – The Best of Rum)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 18, 2012

We have come to my final posting with regards to the 2012 Rum Howler Awards. This is The second half of my Rum awards where I determine the Best of the Best in the world of Rum.

White Rum, Spiced Rum, Flavoured Rums and Mixing Rums have all been examined to determine the best that 2012 has given us for our cocktail enjoyment. As well I have examined the best sipping rums aged from four years in oak all the way to fifty.  When it comes to sipping rums, age matters, but not necessarily as much as you might think. It has been a great year in rum for The Rum Howler, and it is time for me to reveal Part 2 of the 2012 Rum Howler Awards for Excellence in the Production of Rum. These Awards are for the Best and Greatest Rum Spirits which I encountered in the year 2012.

Here is the link:

The 2012 Rum Howler Awards for Rum (Part 2 – The Best of Rum)

Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Year In Rum (Part 2 – The Best of Rum)

The Year in Rum – Part 1

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 14, 2012

Today, I am continuing my 2012 Rum Howler Awards by selecting the best rum from the various rum producing regions of the world. After all, it is not just the Caribbean Islands which make great rum. Rum is produced in almost every part of the world where sugar cane is grown. And in some cold weather climes (like Canada), where they cannot grow the cane, there is a long tradition of buying rum in bulk from various rum producers and then blending their own unique styles. As with my other awards to date, all of the awards I am presenting today are based upon side by side tasting sessions held over a period of several weeks. I began over two months ago slowly tasting different Rums side by side bringing only the very best forward for the final tastings which took place over the past month.

Here is a link to my 2012 Rum Howler Regional Rum Awards:

The 2012 Rum Howler Awards for Rum (Part 1 – The Regional Awards)

Enjoy my award selections!

Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on The Year in Rum – Part 1

The Poppy Trust Fund

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 11, 2012

If you have not yet ‘Liked’ Lemon Hart Rum on Facebook, now is the time to do so while helping them reach their goal of raising up to $5000 for The Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund. During the month of November 2012, Lemon Hart Rum will donate $1.00 for every ‘Like’ they receive to the Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund of The Royal Canadian Legion.

About the Poppy Trust Fund

On July 5, 1921, the forefather of The Royal Canadian Legion, the Great War Veterans Association, adopted the Poppy as its “Flower of Remembrance”. Each year approximately 18 million poppies are distributed (by Legionnaires, Veterans and cadets across Canada ) to all persons who makes a contribution large or small. The proceeds, after deducting expenses such as the costs of poppies, wreaths and other supplies, are placed in trust to be used for the benevolent support of Veterans and their dependents.

The primary purpose of the Poppy Trust Fund is to provide financial assistance to veterans in need, and to their dependents. In accordance with the General By-laws of The Royal Canadian Legion, the need may be for shelter, food, fuel, clothing, prescription medicine or necessary transportation. Comforts for veterans and their surviving spouses who are hospitalized and in need, may also be provided.

So Please Visit the Lemon Hart Facebook Page and “Like” Lemon Hart Rum. Here is the Link:

Facebook.com/LemonHartRum

Posted in Dark Rums, Extras, Fund Raisers, Rum | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on The Poppy Trust Fund

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