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Archive for the ‘Rum Reviews’ Category

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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 »

Review Revisitation: Appleton Master Blender’s Legacy Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 14, 2010

My journey up the ladder of Appleton Estate Rums is almost complete.  This week’s review is another re-visitation to an older review.  I opened a new bottle of Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy,  and started fresh as if I had never tasted the rum before.

The Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy was produced to recognize three generations of Appleton Estate Master Blenders, Joy Spence, the current Master Blender, Owen Tulloch, the  previous Master Blender, and, David Morrison the current protégé of Joy Spence.   All three blenders have set their mark on this luxurious rum.

The rum itself is a blend of rums which range in age from 18 years to 30 years.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The rum continues to surprise me in this second review.  The texture is cleaner than I remember, almost like a good whisky.  Tart spices of orange peel, lemon are laid behind a backdrop of clean pure oak. Sweeter flavours of baked fruit (apples and pears), brown sugar and honey lie under these spices….”

Of course the entire review may be read here:

Review: Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy

I have left the original review at the bottom of the page in case it interests you in seeing how my perceptions have changed!


Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review Revisitation: Appleton Master Blender’s Legacy Rum

Rum Review: Calico Jack Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 9, 2010

John “Calico Jack’ Rackham was a pirate of the early eighteenth century who seems to have two primary claims to fame.  The first was that his design of the ship’s flag may actually have been the first use this design for a  Jolly Roger flag ever on a pirate ship.  The second is that his crew featured two female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read (Rackham actually believed Mary Read was a man when she joined his crew).

Researching  Calico Jack , I learned he received his nickname due to his fondness for colourful cotton calico clothing.  Also he and Anne Bonny were apparently lovers, although it appears she was actually another man’s wife.

Calico Jack’s pirate days seem to have begun in 1718 when he was elevated to the Captaincy on an English warship during a mutiny, and it ended at the end of a hangman’s noose in November of 1720 after being captured off the shore of Jamaica.  His short career of piracy was highlighted by the plundering smaller ships near the coastal shorelines in a stolen sloop and ended shortly after it began.

I could actually find little in the way of redeeming qualities for “Calico Jack” the Pirate, who appears to have captured the imagination popular culture on the basis of the Jolly Roger flag alone.  He certainly seems to have been a lousy pirate.  Perhaps standards were different back then, but huddling close to shorelines attacking only smaller ships, then allowing yourself to be captured after only a brief stint of pirating hardly seems to be the stuff of legend. (It is even rumoured that he was captured in a fight which saw only his female pirates fighting back.  Calico Jack surrendered without a fight.)

I hope that White Rock Distillers, the owners the of Calico Jack Spiced Rum Brand have a rum which fairs better than the its namesake.

You can read the full review here:

Review: Calico Jack Spiced Rum

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Posted in Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

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