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Archive for the ‘Rum’ Category

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Revisiting Flor de Caña Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 6, 2012

When I opened my website, my absolute favourite rums were the 7 and 12-year-old rums of Flor de Caña. And my initial scores for these two rums reflected that love affair. When I want to kick back and enjoy a nice drink, either one fits the bill nicely. However; I have noticed that my yearning for each of these rums has dimmed lately. Other sexy new rums have come across my palate, and I reach for the Flor de Caña less and less.

This Autumn, (as a treat for the Canadian Thanksgiving) my wonderful wife picked me up a new bottle of each knowing how I had raved about each of them in the past, and that night I opened the Seven Year Old and had a nice drink over ice. I noticed then (but I did not mention it to my wife) that the flavour wasn’t quite as I remembered it. I do not know if the rum has changed, or if after three years of reviewing rum, my perceptions and standards had changed. There was only (in my mind) one thing to do. I revisited each rum in my private tasting room (and with my friends on another day), and I rewrote my tasting notes and scores. From these I cobbled together two new reviews for my website.

I should point out before anyone gets concerned, that despite the changes I found, each rum still pleases me immensely. The Rums of Flor de Caña are still amongst my favourites. Here are the links to each of the new reviews:

Review: Flor de Caña Grand Reserve 7 Year

Review: Flor de Caña Centenario 12 YR Old Rum

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Revisiting Flor de Caña Rum

Lemon Hart Rum & Poppy Trust Fund

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 1, 2012

If you have not yet ‘Liked’ Lemon Hart Rum on Facebook, November may be 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 Lemon Hart Rum & Poppy Trust Fund

Reviews: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum and The Kraken

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 31, 2012

Captain Morgan Rum has expanded their range of spiced rums to include a new “Black” spiced rum. I strongly 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 just as was the case with the Kraken, the launch of the Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum was accompanied with a slick media campaign to push the rum into the forefront of the rum aficionado’s consciousness.

I decided that I should revisit the Kraken, and at the same time review the Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum. And what better day than Halloween to publish the two reviews. If you are familiar with my previous review of Kraken Black Spiced Rum, you will notice that the review has not changed much. (I did adjust the score a little to reflect my current opinion.) My Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum review is however, freshly pressed and brand new.

Here are the reviews for your enjoyment:

Review: Kraken Black Spiced Rum

Review: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Posted in Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Reviews: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum and The Kraken

Review: Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 28, 2012

Captain Morgan Rum traces its history back to 1945 when Seagram’s CEO, Samuel Bronfman, negotiated the purchase of the Long Pond Distillery from the Jamaican Government and formed the Captain Morgan Rum Company. The company’s iconic rum brand, Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum was based upon a recipe purchased from two local Jamaican pharmacists, the Levy Brothers, who had developed the recipe using rum from the Long Pond Distillery. The brand is now owned by the Diageo Conglomerate, and their Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is the best-selling spiced rum in the world.

The subject of this review, is the lessor known Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum, which (according to the Captain Morgan Website), is a blend of clear, rich Puerto Rican white rum and tropical spice with sweet vanilla character. It is bottled at 35% alcohol by volume and fortunately for me, the Diageo Marketing Team here in Alberta provided me a the sample of the Canadian bottle for my review.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The initial aroma is pleasant with a pleasing (but very mild) mixture of butterscotch and vanilla rising into the breezes. I sense some tropical fruit (mango, banana and orange peel) and light accents of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Also rising into the breezes is a very light oakiness…. “

Here is a link to the full review which includes a great cocktail of mine, the Spiced Darwin:

Review: Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum

Please enjoy the review, Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum

Review: Pyrat Rum Cask 1623

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 20, 2012

Photo courtesy and Copyright Lance Surujbally (of Liquorature)- all rights reserved!

Pyrat Rum Cask 1623 is, according to the Pyrat Website, the flagship brand for Pyrat Rum. It is constructed from aged Caribbean stocks, some of which are reported to be up to 40 years old. The brand is owned by Patrón Spirits a company created in 1989 by John Paul DeJoria, and Martin Crowley. The company does not own a distillery, rather they act as a third-party company sourcing what they believe to be the best stocks for their products and blending them according to their own formulas. There is always a bit of secrecy surrounding these private blends, but perhaps I can shed a little light on the production of Pyrat Rum.

Pyrat Rum was previously bottled by the Anguilla Rums Company. However there has been a recent change. When I was in Guyana earlier this year, I was given a tour of the Diamond Bottling Plant owned by Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL). During this tour, I was told that Pyrat Rum had just installed their own private bottling line within the Diamond plant. Pyrat Rum, I was told, is primarily a Demerara rum blended and bottled in Guyana. (A small portion of this blend is from rum sourced outside of Guyana). I was able to witness the Pyrat Rum bottling line in operation during my tour of the Diamond plant. I was also told that a portion of the Pyrat blend is produced on Demerara Distillers’ High Ester Still. This is a functioning John Dore Still which is capable of producing intense flavours within the distillate. If you have sampled any Pyrat Rum you have probably noticed a very different flavour profile.

I was able to acquire a 3/4 full bottle of the Pyrat Rum Cask 1623 from my good friend Lance Surujbally (of Liquorature). I put the rum though the paces of my Review Methodology and here is an excerpt from the resulting review.

“… The flavour of the rum is just as intense as the nose. It is that candied sweet aroma of orange and apricot brandy which dominates the rum. I also taste some nice vanilla accents, some spicy tobacco underneath, and just a little butterscotch. You either like this, or you do not. I have to admit that I am torn …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Pyrat Rum Cask 1623

Please enjoy the review of this most unusual rum!

Cheers!

Posted in Dark Rums, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Pyrat Rum Cask 1623

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