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Archive for the ‘Rum’ Category

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Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 5, 2012

I would like to welcome Joy Spence, the current Master Blender for Appleton Estate Rum to my website.

I was granted a rare chance to interview Ms. Spence via email in early June just before the launch announcement of Appleton Estate’s brand new and very rare Limited Edition Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve. Ms. Spence speaks clearly about her job as Appleton Estate Rum’s – Master Blender; the incredible heritage of Appleton Estate Rum; and the unique Terrior that is the Nassau Valley where all the sugarcane for Apple Estate Rum is grown. We also discuss the aforementioned Limited Edition Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve as well as my current favourite Appleton Rum the Appleton Estate Master Blenders’ Legacy. We even have some fun learning which rum Ms. Spence would prefer to drink in the Canadian Arctic, and which would be her favourite if she were stranded on a tropical island. Finally Joy Spence surprises even me by revealing her favourite rum cocktail, and for a guy like me who loves to mix great rum with soda, it is a sure-fire winner!

Click here for my interview with Joy Spence….

An Interview with Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence

I hope you all enjoy the interview!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Extras, Interviews, Rum | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence

Review: Demerara Superior High Wine

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 3, 2012

The Diamond Distillery sits on the East Bank of the Demerara River near Georgetown, Guyana. The Distillery was originally part of the Diamond Estate which was the last of the Sugar Plantation Estates in Guyana to produce rum, and it is now home to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

I was given a unique opportunity to witness this facility in operation when I was invited by Woodman Wines and Spirits and Demerara Distillers to travel to Guyana for a very exclusive tour of the DDL facilities. Part of that tour included visiting trade establishments within nearby Georgetown to get a feel for the local retail market. One product which I saw in a lot of the local establishments was Demerara Superior High Wine. This product is a single distilled high-proof ‘high wine’ produced for the local Guyanese market. I was intrigued by this High Wine for two reasons. First, because it seems to be extremely popular in the local market, and second, because it represents the base distillate which DDL produces from the original Diamond Estate Coffey Still No. 3. This is one of the important stills used in the production of their world-class rums.

I requested a small sample of this ‘high wine’ because I wanted to taste this spirit before it was altered by further distillation and/or years of barrel aging. I thought sharing this review here on my website might prove interesting for my readers as well. Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I poured my High Wine into my glencairn glass, I understood very quickly why this product is so popular locally. It displays a very attractive nose. Light scents of sugarcane, hints of banana and orange peel, and a very light ribbon of mint rose to the air almost immediately… “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Demerara Superior High Wine

Please enjoy this glimpse into the unaged Demerara Rum flavour profile !

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Overproof Rum, Rum, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Demerara Superior High Wine

Review: Ragged Rock Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 26, 2012

Ragged Rock Rum is produced by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). It is apparently made  from the same 4 marques of Jamaican Rum which are used to produce their Famous Newfoundland Screech. I was  told that the treatment of these marques is slightly different, which could mean that they are blended in different proportions, or perhaps they are not aged for the same length of time in once used white oak bourbon barrel. (However by Canadian Law all rum, dark, white, spiced or otherwise, must be aged at least full year in oak barrels.) I was  told by a representative of the brand that I should consider the Ragged Rock to be an amber or lighter version of Screech Rum, and perhaps that is the most reasonable description to begin with.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… I poured a little rum into my glencairn glass, and began as I often do with a good look at the spirit. We have a pale amber spirit which leaves light sheen on the inside of the glass when I tilt and swirl it. A few legs form, but most of the oily sheen disappears back into the glass without fanfare. The initial aroma is one of butterscotch with light impressions of banana and orange peel. The rum smells simple and light in the glass light and not overly complex …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Ragged Rock Rum

I found the rum to be a great mixer and I have included a nice recipe for your enjoyment, the Ragged Dagger.

Please enjoy the review and my cocktail selection!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ragged Rock Rum

The Good Food Revolution Interviews The Rum Howler!

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 25, 2012

On my recent trip to Guyana, one of the members of our Canadian contingent was Jamie Drummond. Jamie is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution. Although born in Edinburgh, he is now based in Toronto where he acts as a Sommelier, a food consultant, writer, judge, and educator. If you are interested in Good Food, Jamie is your all round Good Guy.

During the trip when we were relaxing at Baganara Island, he did a little video interview with me. He combined the interview with some footage from the trip and published it on The Good Food Revolution last Friday.

(Clicking on the picture below will take you to The Good Food Revolution where you can see Jamie Drummond’s interview of The Rum Howler (set to music))!

As you can see from the footage, Jamie had video camera running all the time (even when we were not expecting it).

Enjoy the Good Food Revolution Everyone!

Cheers!

Posted in Howls, Interviews, Rum | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on The Good Food Revolution Interviews The Rum Howler!

Panama Red Arrives in Alberta

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 22, 2012

Panama Red 108 is a Panamanian rum brought to you by PANAMONTE BRANDS. The rum is handcrafted by the creator of Zafra Master Reserve, Master Blender, Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez. It is produced from the sugar cane that grew in Las Cabras de Pese, the same region where the Distillery is located. Although the rum is stated as overproof, Don Pancho has assured me that the rum will feel much smoother in the mouth than a typical overproof rum. It has as its base, a 3 year molasses based rum which is aged in used Bourbon casks at the distillery warehouse in Pese.

There is a bit of a romantic story behind the name of this Rum and it was related to me via email by the Mr. Carlos E. Esquivel G., the Executive Director of PILSA (A Rum distillery and production company, specializing in Aged Rums, and Rum related products in Panama and South America). With his permission, I have reproduced the story to serve as the backdrop for my review here:

The Story of Panama Red… (click on the link to read the story).

Read my Original Review Here:

Review: Panama Red 108 Overproof Rum

Of course, the review includes a great cocktail, Savalle Row.

Please enjoy the story, the review, and the cocktail.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Panama Red Arrives in Alberta

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