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Archive for the ‘Rum’ Category

Review: Admiral Nelson’s Coconut Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 13, 2013

ANCocoA few weeks back, I received a bottle of Admiral Nelson’s Coconut Rum from the local importer here in Alberta, Diamond Estates. They were hoping I would taste the spirit, and perhaps write a review (if it was my inclination to do so). In doing my research I was not able to glean much information about how the Admiral Nelson’s Coconut Rum is produced. I understand that it is bottled in the U.S. by the Admiral Nelson Rum Company of Missouri (at 21 % alcohol by volume), and although the brand was previously controlled by Luxco, in 2011 Heaven Hill Distilleries acquired the rights to the entire Admiral Nelson Brand.

You may click on the following excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Admiral Nelson’s Coconut Rum

“… The nose is lightly sweet with a mild coconut aroma. There also seems to be a touch of vanilla sitting in the background. A light alcohol astringency is rising from the glass which surprises me in such a low proof offering; but this astringency is quite mild and is probably just a reflection of a young rum which makes up the base of the spirit …”

Please enjoy my review which includes two nice recipes, A Day at the Beach, and the Chocolate Covered Banana.

Enjoy this fine Monday everyone!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Admiral Nelson’s Coconut Rum

Review: Smuggler’s Cove Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 30, 2013

SAM_0724 Smuggler's CoveSmuggler’s Cove Dark Rum is a brand owned by Glenora Distillers Limited who are located in Glenville Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This dark rum is blended from Jamaican stocks which have been aged a minimum of two years. In fact, these stocks are the same stocks (although the proportions may be different) which are used to produce Famous Newfoundland Screech Rum. The connection with Screech Rum is quite strong as the company which produces Screech, Rock Spirits (a division of the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC)) is also the same company which packages the Smuggler’s Cove for Glenora Distillers. It would be fair to say however, that these stocks would be treated quite differently to produce the high-proof (45 % abv) dark rum, which is Smuggler’s Cove.

This brand is quite popular in Nova Scotia, and also has a strong presence in the provinces of Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

You may click on the following excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Smuggler’s Cove Dark Rum

The initial breezes above the glass are full of molasses and candied caramel. As well, dark liquorice, cinnamon and cloves all taint the air above the glass with their presence. Allowing the rum time to breathe reveals some nice accents of orange marmalade and rich vanilla …

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Smuggler’s Cove Dark Rum

Review: Rum Nation Jamaica 26 Year Old (Distilled 1986)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 23, 2013

Rum Nation Jamaica 26yo (1986-12) SL VI  GBAbout a month ago, 60 bottles of a special rum from Rum Nation hit the store shelves here in my home province of Alberta. This small batch bottling (only 760 bottles per batch) was distilled upon a pot still at the Long Pond Estate in Jamaica in 1986 and was bottled in 2012 by Rum Nation. (In case you did not know, the Long Pond Distillery is the original home of Captain Morgan Rum.) The rum is apparently produced from locally grown Jamaican sugar cane molasses, and was originally aged in American Ex Bourbon Casks. However, after 18 years of aging in the Bourbon Cask, the rum was transferred to Oloroso Sherry butts where it aged for an additional 8 years.

I was sent a sample of this rum by Fabio Rossi, the owner of Rum Nation, and he advised me that he considers this a small batch rum made for primarily for connoisseurs. Crush Imports is handling the distribution here in Alberta.

You may click on the excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Rum Nation Jamaica 26 Year Old (Distilled 1986)

” … The dominant impression is fresh asphalt with the scents of the thick black paving oil and the fresh sand and gravel which lie within. (I worked on a paving crew for two years and you never forget that scent after two summers of being immersed in it.) Under that phenolic rubber-like smell is an impression of coarse brown sugar and orange marmalade. Dry fruit, cocoa and licorice add to the complexity of the aroma with impressions of tobacco, toffee, baking spices, and vanilla all residing within those breezes above the glass …”

Please enjoy my review of this remarkable rum!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Rum Nation Jamaica 26 Year Old (Distilled 1986)

Screech Wins Gold!

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 13, 2013

ScreechVindication is nice. Two years ago, when I reviewed The Famous Newfoundland Screech, I openly questioned the other online reviews which indicated the rum was harsh and unappealing because my own experience was the opposite. In fact I liked the Screech Rum so much that in my 2011 Rum Howler Awards, I declared it the Best Rum Bottled in North America! Then in 2012, I gave Screech the Runner Up Award in the same category (Rock Spirits other great rum George Street Spiced barely edged it out in 2012), and an honourable mention in the Best Amber Mixing Rum Category. For two years I have been howling about how good this rum is, (and for two years people have been openly questioning my sanity).

But, as I said, vindication is nice! A few days ago I received word from Greg Kerr of Rock Spirits that Screech won double gold at the 2013 San Fransisco Spirits Competition, and was declared the Best Gold Rum in the competition.

As my way of congratulating Rock Spirits (a subsidiary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation) for this recent success, I thought I would republish my original review from 21 months ago.

You may click on the following excerpt to read my original review!

Review: Famous Newfoundland Screech Rum

“…  As you fist sip the rum you will find that it full of molasses flavour with those typical Jamaican Rum flavours of banana and orange peel heating the palate alongside that molasses. As the rum sits in the glass, the heat subsides and you can notice charred caramel and baking spices beginning to build …”

Congratulations to all the folks at Rock Spirits!

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

Review: Whaler’s Vanille Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 11, 2013

SAM_0690 Lemon Vanille CocktailToday I am continuing my trek through some of the line-up of Whaler’s Rums. A few weeks back, I received a few bottles from the local importer here in Alberta, Diamond Estates. They were hoping I would taste some of the different rums and perhaps write a review or two. I didn’t really know a lot about Whaler’s Rum so I accepted the samples of  these “Hawaiian” style rums. I say Hawaiian style, because Whaler’s takes great pride in letting everyone know that Whaler’s Rums are blended from old Hawaiian recipes. Their line-up of rum includes three traditional rums, and five flavoured rums.

You may click on the following excerpt to read my review for Whaler’s Vanille Rum:

Review: Whaler’s Vanille Rum

“… I catch sweet sugary notes alongside a firm vanilla aroma. There is also more than a bit of an almond scent riding in the coat tails of the breezes as well as a rather indistinct fruitiness which reminds me of canned peaches …”

Please enjoy the review which includes a nice cocktail at the end, the Lemon Vanille Cocktail.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Whaler’s Vanille Rum