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Archive for the ‘Rum’ Category

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Rum Review: Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 14, 2010

Photo Courtesy Rum Runner Imports

Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum

 

A new premium rum hit the store shelves in Alberta recently.  It is being brought to this market by Rum Runner Imports (RRI),  a Vancouver based import company who have recently invaded my home Province with their Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum and a new Rum Liqueur called Mamajuana.

I was contacted by RRI, and asked if I could provide reviews for each of these products.  Of course, I was happy to oblige.

Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum is a product of R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd.  It is distilled in Barbados which is considered by many sources to be the birthplace of rum dating back to 1651 where the first known recorded written usage of the word Rum Bullion appears.  Rums from Barbados are called Bajan Rums, and I have previously reviewed two other Bajan rums, Mount Gay Extra Old Rum, and Cockspur 12 year Old Rum.    As you read the review for Doorly’s X.O., you will notice that I find the rum to be much different in flavour than the other Bajan rums I reviewed.   It has a lighter more laid back style which appeals to my northern palate; here is an excerpt from my review:

“…Over a period of two weeks, I sipped Doorly’s X.O.,  and I was captivated by contradiction.   The first flavour I noticed was a sweet mild caramel toffee, yet in spite of the mild flavour, my tongue was also greeted with a tart orange peel and oak tannin.  Apricots seemed to dance in the flavour profile with whispers of cherries, only to turn into bananas and raisins when I take the next sip…”

Please read the full review here:

Rum Review: Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum

Also I have provided two cocktail suggestions of mine for your enjoyment and one cocktail suggestion forwarded to me by Rum Runner Imports.  Enjoy the review.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Rum Review: El Dorado Premium Rums

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 7, 2010

The family of El Dorado Premium Rums

El Dorado Premium Rums

El Dorado’s family of premium rums are distilled in Demerara County (Guyana, South America) and are popular throughout the world for their rich taste and sweetness.  So popular that the word demerara has become an adjective used by reviewers of whisky and rum alike to describe this particular style of sweetness when reviewing fine spirits.

Demerara County in fact has a rich three hundred year history of rum production. Some of the wooden stills first used to produce their rum are still in use today, and I have said it before, if anyone ever puts together a list of the “seven wonders of the rum world”, these original wooden stills will be at the top of that list.  The combination of old wooden stills in conjunction with modern stills and distilling techniques has allowed Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL) to build a reputation for outstanding quality and consistent production over many years. In fact, Demerara Distillers is the currently one of the largest suppliers of bulk Caribbean rums to Europe and North America.

Over the next few months I will endeavor to review all three of El Dorado’s Premium Rums.  The 12 Year, The 15, Year and the 21 Year Old Rums.  I shall kick off this series with a review re visitation of El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum.  Although I have previously reviewed the 12 year Old I could not resist the chance to open a new bottle and see if my palate has changed.  Here is an excerpt from the review:

“…This rum enters my mouth with a spicy sweet baking spice explosion.  Deep dark brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, hints of orange peel and citrus fruit lay upon a foundation of spicy wood tannins….”

You may read the rest of the review here:

Review: El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum

Please enjoy this  review and the follow up reviews I will be providing for the rest of the El Dorado Premium Rums!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: El Dorado Premium Rums

Rum Review: Appleton Estate 21 Yr Old Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 31, 2010

This is the final review in my series of Appleton Estate Rum Reviews, which I began to publish about two months ago.  The impetus for the review series was an invite offered to me to attend a free tasting of Appleton rums in my hometown.  I received a small sample bottle of Appleton VX, and since I owned just about every other Appleton Estate Rum up to the 21 year old I thought it would be fun to review them all.  The 30 year old just about to be released in my locale will be missing from this review series unless I can acquire a sample at a later date.

Although the reviews have been published separately spaced out over two months, I did a lot of comparative tasting between the various ages and styles of Appleton.  My final reviews scores are accurate reflections of how I judge these rums relative to each other.  You can find all of my Appleton Reviews on the side of the blog in the Page menu which for your convenience lists all of the rums I have reviewed alphabetically.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The rum is a rich dark brown colour which leaves a thick film on my glass when it is swirled. This film slowly releases thick fat legs back into the rum.  As I watch the legs slowly crawl down the sides of the glass, the rum brings forth mild brown sugar and orange citrus notes.  But.. as you wait the nose begins to change…”

You may read more here:

Review: Appleton Estate 21 Yr Old Rum

As well my friend forrest and I have collaborated on a new cocktail we call THE MONK’S UNCLE.

Enjoy the review and cocktail.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: Appleton Estate 21 Yr Old Rum

Rum Review: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 28, 2010

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is a new spiced rum from Proximo Spirits. It is an imported black rum from the Caribbean, reputedly infused with 11 secret spices. The rum is named after the legendary sea monster which is claimed to have attacked sailing ships in the Caribbean during the 18th and 19th centuries. This is a 94 proof black spiced rum.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The rum is very dark with what looks like a kind of dark brown and plum colouration.   A moderate amount of legs are apparent when I swirl the glass, and a mildly spicy licorice, cinnamon and molasses rise into the air.  I catch faint wiffs of cloves, plum preserves, and black cherries as well…”

Please read the full review here:

Review: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum

As well I have went out on limb and designed a new cocktail for this rum which I playfully call,  My Pet Squid.   Enjoy!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Rum Review: Momento Amber Rum (Highwood Distillers)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 16, 2010

Highwood Distillers of High River, Alberta was created as Sunnyvale Distillers in 1974.  The distillery has seen moderate growth since its initial start up which has increased during the last several years as Highwood has began to assert itself as a major player in the Canadian Distilling Industry.

Although primarily known for their whisky, I have found that Highwood produces a quality rum.  Momento Amber Rum from Highwood Distillers is a Demerara blend of rums aged in charred oak barrels at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.    The rum itself,  is imported from the world famous Demerara County in Guyana, which has a 300 year tradition of producing top quality rums.  Here is an Excerpt from my review:

“…A light honeyed brown sugar aroma with spicy accents rises into the air after I swirl my glass.  Long skinny legs trail quickly back into the rum.  A vague hint of anise and orange peel oils  drift into the merry little breezes.  Finally a nice imprint  of vanilla and oak set themselves into the aroma as well.   Everything in the nose is light and clean.  This is very nice and bodes very well for what comes next…”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Momento Amber Rum (Highwood Distillers)

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Although this rum is a nice sipping rum, I have included three “forest Approved” cocktails for your enjoyment.   Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

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