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Archive for the ‘Canadian Whisky’ Category

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Review: Proof Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 27, 2011

Proof Whisky is a relatively new brand of Canadian Whisky produced by Proof Brands. The company currently produces whisky, rum and vodka all of which are bottled in unique stubby 500 ml bottles. The brand and the spirits are the creation of Michael Riley, at ten-year veteran of the alcohol beverage industry. Michael spent 5 years as the Director of Spirits for the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). He has also has worked with such brands as Crown Royal, Absolut, Captain Morgan, Chivas Regal and Molson Canadian.

According to the press information I was given, in Whisky Magazine’s 2011 World Whisky Awards, Proof Whisky was apparently on the short list for the best Canadian Whisky in the world.

Proof Whisky is a double grain whisky produced from wheat and rye bottled at 42% alcohol by volume in the signature stubby 500 ml bottle. And it is with this bottle that I shall begin my review. Here is an excerpt:

“…The aroma from the glass is very unusual. Balsam and saffron lead out with lemon quickly following. I sense fresh green bell-peppers, sandalwood, and some astringent citrus zest rising up into the breezes…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Proof Whisky

I have included two recipes with the review, the signature cocktail for Proof Whisky, The Urban Cocktail, and my suggestion, The Hippodrome.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktails!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Proof Whisky

Review: Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 18, 2011

Forty Creek Whisky has for the last number of years produced a special limited release whisky and allowed the public to participate in the release by offering to let you choose your own numbered bottle. As well you can have your bottle signed by their own Master Distiller and Whisky Maker, John Hall, when you arrive to pick up your pre-ordered bottles. These special release whiskies are built upon the foundation of the company’s flagship whisky, Forty Creek Barrel Select, and are basically versions of this whisky which have spent additional time finishing in selected oak barrels.  Last year’s release was the Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky, I manged to buy three signed bottles, and although it is a year later, I have decided that it is time to provide a review of this unique limited release bottling (16,800 bottles) of Forty Creek Whisky.

What makes this whisky unique is that it has been finished in Canadian Oak Barrels. These oak barrels were made from oak trees (growing only 40 miles from the distillery) which began their growth in Canadian soil approximately 150 years ago at the time of Confederation (The birth of Canada as a nation), hence the name Confederation Oak.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The aroma from the glass begins with typical Canadian Whisky notes of light rye and oak.  Soon, however, I begin to notice caramel corn and light baking spices building, then a strong indication of the new oak barrels imparting their fresh tannin into the liquid as fresh scents of honeycomb, vanilla, cedar and toffee rise into the breezes above the glass…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky

Please enjoy the review!!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky

Review: Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve Whisky (Lot 240)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 11, 2011

Today I am continuing a series of Forty Creek Whisky reviews with the Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve Whisky. This whisky was introduced in the fall of 2008. As a collector, I purchased and saved a few bottles from the first release, and now I have selected one of those first bottles to review.  This bottle is identified on the label as Bottle number 0043 from Lot 240.  Although this review is from my whisky collection,  I would like to thank Dave Gordon, the Regional Manager of Shiralli Agencies, who has provided me with a bottle from the current release (Lot 245) and I will be reviewing that bottle in the coming weeks.

Here is an excerpt from my review from Bottle number 0043 from Lot 240, of Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve Whisky:

“…When I brought the glass to my nose I received a light indication of rye spices gently being lifted out of the glass. This was quickly followed by an updraft of caramel corn and honeycomb. The whisky also brings forward strong dry woody notes (oak and cedar) and a touch of sweet maple….”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve Whisky (Lot 240)

Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve Whisky (Lot 240)

Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky Revisited

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 4, 2011

When I mentioned to Dave Gordon, the Regional Manager of Shiralli Agencies that I was reviewing a few Canadian whiskies on my website this summer. He arranged for me to receive a bottle of Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky to re-acquaint myself with the Forty Creek style. Although I have previously reviewed this whisky, I felt it was appropriate to revisit it and provide a new review. (I have left my original review at the bottom of the review page so that my readers can easily see what changes I noted in the blend since my first review.)

Here is an excerpt from the new review:

“…I allowed the glass to decant and began to notice a nice marmalade scent alongside the corn and caramel. Some light baking spices were developing as was a delicate smokiness. As the glass was allowed to breathe the baking spices seemed to deepen with obvious tinctures of vanilla growing in the breezes. In fact, the longer you allow the glass to sit and breathe, the more scents and aromas seem to drift up from the glass…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky

I have provided a nice elegant cocktail with the review which I call, Autumn Glow.

Please Enjoy the review and the cocktail!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky Revisited

Review: Gibson’s Finest 12-Year-Old Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 28, 2011

On November 15, 2009 I completed one of my very early Canadian Whisky Reviews. It was for the Gibson’s Finest 12 Year Old Whisky. Recently, I was sent a new sample bottle by the brand’s media company (Jesson + Company), and I have decided to revisit this Gibson’s Whisky to provide a more rounded out review, and to see if perhaps the blend has undergone any noticeable changes since my earlier review.

In 2002, the Gibson’s Finest brand was purchased by William Grant & Sons who acquired the brand to strengthen their position in the Canadian spirits marketplace. William Grant & Sons has moved the production of Gibson’s Whisky from the Schenley plant in Valleyfield, Quebec to the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario. It is this move from one distillery to another which causes me to believe the taste profile may have changed recently. I do not believe any change would have significantly altered the taste profile, but I admit I am curious:

Here is an excerpt from the new review:

“…The initial nose from the glass is of honey and fruit filled rye spices, some light butterscotch, and a vague dry oakiness. As the glass breathes, ripened fields of rye grain and corn seem to waft up out of the glass. …”

Here is the full review:

Review: Gibson’s Finest 12-Year-Old Whisky

As well as part of the review I have returned to a classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned Cocktail, which tastes just marvellous when made with Gibson’s Finest.!

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Gibson’s Finest 12-Year-Old Canadian Whisky

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