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Archive for the ‘Rum’ Category

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Review: Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 28, 2012

The Whistling Andy Distillery is a locally owned micro-distillery located in Bigfork, Montana. They advertise that they are Veteran owned, and are proud of utilizing American made equipment (a hand-made Vendome Cooper and Brassworks still from Louisville, Kentucky) and American only grown grains (all of the grains are from the Flathead Valley), fruits, and botanicals. Their rum by the way is made from molasses and cane from the South. The Distillery is named for Roger Anderson, father of Distiller, Brian Anderson, whose nickname in the Air Force was Whistling Andy.

The subject of this review, Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum, was apparently developed to pay homage to both the 1950′s surfer, and to Whistling Andy’s Hand Crafted Rum. It is flavoured with real hibiscus and coconut. I was provided with  375 ml review sample by the distillery, bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume. (This product is being brought into Canada by Purple Valley Imports.)

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“… The rum has a rich reddish brown colouration, and the immediate nose has a lightly sweet floral aroma which reminds me of cranberries and Nanking cherries. (This floral cherry-like aroma is I believe very similar to the aroma of the hibiscus flower.) The coconut is much more subdued, at times I seem to sense the coconut in the breezes above the glass combined with the impression of ripe banana; but I would say that the cherry-like hibiscus scent is more obvious… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum

Please enjoy the review, Cheers!

Posted in Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 27, 2012

Ron Zacapa Rums are made from sugar cane harvested in southern Guatemala, which is pressed into virgin sugar cane honey, a process unique to the Guatemalan style of rum production. This liquid is then fermented, distilled and taken to the mountains for aging, where the flavor of the rums is further refined through the premium aging process known as Sistema Solera.

The Ron Zacapa Centenario XO is blended from these solera aged stocks which range in age from 6 years to 25 years.  These stocks were aged in special cellars more than 7000 feet above sea level. The solera barrels are a mixture of reused American Bourbon, Sherry, Pedro Ximenez wines, and Cognac barrels. The combination of solera aging and the wide variety of reused barrels creates a highly complex rum with a rich aroma and flavour.

I recently received a Ron Zacapa Tasting Kit in the mail which for me was the perfect excuse to revisit my previously published review for the Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“….Richness and luxury ooze from the nose of this sweet nectar. Scents of mild toffee and spice combined with a rich oak and vanilla aroma rise from the glass to the delight of my nostrils. There seems to be a light orange citrus weaving through the aroma. The spices I can identify by smell are vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg with just a hint of cloves…”

You may link to the full review here:

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

BTW:  The review includes a decadent cocktail called The Royal Batiste.

Cheers Everyone.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

Introducing: Archeologist Frederick Hanselmann

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 21, 2012

Project Director Fritz Hanselmann (Photo Credit: Jonathan Kingston)

I would like to welcome Mr. Frederick “Fritz” Hanselmann to my website.

Frederick “Fritz” Hanselmann is the Research Faculty and Chief Underwater Archaeologist and Dive Training Officer with the River Systems Institute and the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University. I was offered a chance to interview Mr. Fritz Hanselmann via telephone a few short weeks ago to discuss his search for the most famous Privateer in history, Admiral Sir Henry Morgan (aka Captain Morgan). Circumstance conspired against me such that a telephone interview was not possible, however, I was graciously allowed to conduct my interview via email.

Most people associate Captain Morgan with the iconic logo on the rum bottle; but Hanselmann’s team of U.S. archaeologists, with the help of the Captain Morgan brand, are on a mission to find the fleet of ships the iconic real-life privateer lost in the Caribbean in 1671. The search began in earnest in September 2010, when the team discovered six iron cannons which might have possibly belonged to Sir Admiral Henry Morgan during their archaeological survey mouth of the Río Chagres off the coast of Panama. The team of archeologists continued their work this past summer with the the discovery of a 17th century wooden shipwreck, which is potentially one of the five ships Captain Morgan lost at the mouth of the river. Among the five ships lost was Admiral Sir Henry Morgan’s flagship “Satisfaction”.

In the interview we discuss underwater diving and archeology learning how these seemingly disparate fields are coming together in the search for Captain Morgan’s lost fleet. We examine the evidence recovered in an effort to verify whether the artifacts found to date can really be assigned the Privateer of legend. Mr. Hanselmann elaborates on his most exciting finds to date, and even theorizes on the possibility of finding a stash of rum at the bottom of the sea.

You may read the full interview here:

Seeking Captain Morgan: An Interview with Archeologist Frederick Hanselmann

Please enjoy the Interview!

Posted in Extras, Interviews, Rum, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Introducing: Archeologist Frederick Hanselmann

Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 19, 2012

It was about a year ago that I was contacted by the fellows tho are responsible for Dictador Rum, and was asked if I would like to review their new Dictador XO Perpetual. This new rum sounded intriguing, and I was curious about the how the Dictador XO Rum might differ from the Dictador 12 and Dictador 20 Year Solera rums which I had already tasted and reviewed. I agreed to receive a sample and when it arrived, I found this statement on the plastic protective sleeve which slides over the box that houses the XO Perpetual.

” … The Dictador XO Solera System Rum is elaborated from the fermentation of unique virgin honey of sugar cane, then distilled in antique copper pot alembic then is aged in very high end pre-used oak barrels from 3 cardinal points… “

Additional statements on the Dictador website speak to a difference in the aging regimen used for the XO rums. Although the information is not specific, it appears that the major difference is in the oak selected. The intent seems to be to create a different flavour profile for the Dictador XO. As a result, the XO Rums (the Insolent and the Perpetual) promise to offer a new taste experience for the rum connoisseur.

The Dictador website also explains that the Dictador Rum are produced in Colombia, more exactly, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia at Cartagena de Indias City. These rums are based upon an international marketing concept, combining the traditions of Colombian rum making with Japanese bottle designs and European packaging and marketing.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The Dictador XO Perpetual has a beguiling quality in the glass. The initial scents are aromatic and fruity. I sense a wonderful butterscotch sweetness underneath a bouquet of oak and baking spices (vanilla, brown sugars, and cinnamon). Orange peel wells out of the glass, but if you are patient the orange peel soon melds with the butterscotch to give the air a lovely impression of marmalade …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Please enjoy the review, and my cocktail suggestion, the Rum Old Fashioned!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Review: Redrum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 12, 2012

Three-D Spirits, Inc. (www.redrum.com) was founded in 1996 with the goal to create exceptional  handmade rums. The currently produce three spiced and flavoured rums, Redrum, VooDoo Spiced Rum, and Jolly Roger Coconut and Key Lime Rum. The subject of this review, Redrum, is a blend of 100% Virgin Island Rums. The rum is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume, and includes flavours of natural mango, pineapple, coconut, and cherry.

According to Dan DaDalt, Chief Rum Runner, for Three-D Spirits, Redrum is a completely unaged spirit. To quote from Dan:

” I chose this direction mainly because I felt it (an aged rum) would not work as well with the natural fruit flavors as a more neutral rum base.”

This product is being brought into my market by River Valley Beverages who arranged for me to receive a sample for review.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…  I can piece out the coconut, the cherry, some grilled pineapple and the mango all lifting into the breezes. This actually smells quite nice. Although vanilla is not listed as one of the flavours, I seem to also sense some real vanilla essence in the air… “

You ,may read my full review here:

Review: Redrum

Please enjoy the review and my suggested cocktail, the Redrum Breeze.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Redrum

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