The Rum Howler Blog

(A Website for Spirited Reviews)

  • Copyright

    Copyright is inherent when an original work is created. This means that the producer of original work is automatically granted copyright protection. This copyright protection not only exists in North America, but extends to other countries as well. Thus, all of the work produced on this blog is protected by copyright, including all of the pictures and all of the articles. These original works may not be copied or reused in any way whatsoever without the permission of the author, Chip Dykstra.

  • Cocktails and Recipes

    Click Image for Awesome Recipes

  • Industry Interviews

    Interviews

    Click the Image for Great Interviews with the Movers of Industry

  • The Rum Howler Interview (Good Food Revolution)

    Click on the Image to see my interview on Good Food Revolution

  • The Rum Howler Blog

    Unknown's avatar

  • Rum Reviews

  • Whisky Reviews

  • Gin Reviews

  • Tequila Reviews

  • Vodka Reviews

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 1,092 other subscribers

  • Subscribe

  • Visitors

    • 15,531,290 pageviews since inception

  • Archives

  • Follow The Rum Howler Blog on WordPress.com

Archive for the ‘Whisk(e)y’ Category

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 16, 2012

True North Rye Whisky is produced from western prairie wheat and grains. It is aged in charred American oak barrels for a minimum of three years (as per Canadian Law) before being blended and bottled at the Highwood facility in High River, Alberta. True North is what I refer to as an economy whisky. It is inexpensive compared to other whisky in its category, and is a whisky meant for tall drinks as well as other cocktails in bars and restaurants (or on your back deck).

Highwood Distillers is the only Canadian distillery which uses wheat as its primary distilled grain. I have noticed when tasting the wheat based spirits in their portfolio that this grain seems to lend a soft gentleness to the final spirit. They use Rye is in much smaller quantities, and this grain adds a flavourful spiciness. Corn may also be used, and when it is, the corn provides additional sweetness, and body to the spirit.

Earlier this summer, I was given a bottle of Highwood’s True North Whisky for the purpose of a review here on my website. Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“…. True North tastes pretty much like an old-fashioned rye whisky with a nice bite of rye spice complemented with notes of butterscotch and caramel. I can taste the spiciness of ginger with perhaps just a dash of cloves and cardamom, and a very light sweetness. The spiciness warms the mouth, but there is  just enough dusty dryness and flavours of ripened grain to appeal to me… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

I have also provided a nice cocktail with the review, the Rye-jito.

Please enjoy the review and cocktail.

Cheers!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

For those who are interested I have provided a detailed overview of Highwood’s distillation and whisky making process which you may find her:

The Highwood Distillery Tour

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Distillery Tour, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

Review: Adams Private Stock Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 9, 2012

I was a little curious about the heritage of Adam’s Private Stock Whisky so I dug into its past a little. When I did, I found a newspaper ad on page 98 of the Ottawa Citizen (dated December 1, 1960), which advertised Adam’s Private Stock Whisky. The ad says (in part),

” … Years ago Adams distilled 29 great whiskies, each with its own distinctive characteristics, and then aged them in special oak casks. Now Adams has married these 29 rare whiskies to create the superb flavour of Adams Private Stock. This custom blend is presented in its crystal decanter at a popular price…”

That ad is the earliest trace that I can find of the existence of Adams Private Stock Whisky. It was apparently produced by Thomas Adams Distilling Ltd. of Toronto Ontario. Things change of course, and according to the label on both of my bottles, the whisky is now imported into the USA and bottled by White Rock Distilleries. Of course, I have no idea whether Adam’s Private Stock is still blended from 29 rare whiskies. I just know that this whisky is getting harder and harder to find. And that’s a pity, because I have fond memories of the Private Stock Whisky which stretch back over 30 years when I received one of my first ever bottles of whisky. I was never a regular consumer of the Adams, because even back then, it was hard to find.

Sadly this whisky is going to be even harder to find in my locale as I have noticed that it has been discontinued from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Control website. However, recently, I decided to go into my private collection and pull out one of my last remaining bottles of the Private Stock Whisky to put it through the paces of my review system. It was a bit of a nostalgic experience for me, hopefully it will be a useful review for some of you.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Adams Private Stock Canadian Whisky

As well you might want to check out my suggested cocktail for this whisky, the Double Diamond Fizz.

Cheers Everyone!!

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

Review: Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 5, 2012

Highwood Distillers is a Canadian spirits manufacturer in the town of High River, Alberta, which is situated 40 minutes south of Calgary, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Recently, I visited this distillery, and watched first hand as they turned the local prairie grains into whisky, vodka. and gin. They make their spirits one batch at a time in a family style atmosphere which could not help but make me a fan.

Recently I received a sample of their Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur. The spirit represents a fusion of Canadian Whisky and aromatic cinnamon. No artificial flavours or additives (except caramel for colour) have been used in the production of this whisky liqueur which is bottled at 36 % alcohol by volume.

Here is an excerpt from my resulting review:

“… When I pour the liquid from the bottle into my glass and bring it to my nose, what I smell first and foremost is cinnamon. In fact the aroma is very reminiscent of those little red cinnamon heart candies which are all the rage on Valentines Day. Under this obvious cinnamon scent are some indications of whisky, but these whisky accents are only that, accents upon a strong cinnamon presence… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur

Enjoy the review and my wonderful cocktail that follows, the Buzz Saw.

Cheers Everyone!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Whisky, Liqueur, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur

Introducing – Master of Malts, Iain McCallum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 31, 2012

I would like to welcome Iain McCallum, the current Global Master of Malts for Morrison Bowmore Distillers to my website. I was granted an email interview with Mr. McCallum in early June, and after a bit of back and forth the interview was concluded in mid July.

Iain discusses his job as the Global Master of Malts for Morrison Bowmore Distillers (MBD) as well as the various styles (and brands) of whisky that Morrison Bowmore produces at the three MBD distilleries in Scotland, the Bowmore Distillery, the Auchentoshan Distillery and the Glen Garioch Distillery. The interview moves on to the McClelland Single Malt Whisky brand which is also produced by Morrison Bowmore, and then on to a questions about MBD’s practice of aging the Bowmore Islay whisky offsite.

I am surprised to learn that the The Scottish Whisky Act has very little to say regarding the use of oak casks which have previously contained other wines and spirits (and how much of this liquid may be left in these casks to influence the flavour profile of the resulting whisky). Finally, Mr. McCallum gives his recommendations for the enjoyment of each of the Morrison Bowmore Distillery offerings sharing opinions regarding his favourite Malts, and his favourite cocktails with me.  I am happy to learn that even the Master of Malts allows himself to enjoy a great cocktail!

You may read the full interview here:

An Interview with the Global Master of Malts, Iain McCallum

Please enjoy the Interview!

Posted in Interviews, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Introducing – Master of Malts, Iain McCallum

Review: Crown Royal XR (LaSalle) Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 26, 2012

Crown Royal unveiled their new Crown Royal XR, LaSalle Whisky in the US market a few short months ago. The previously released Crown Royal XR Whisky, (click here for my review) was a unique bottling of Crown Royal Whisky, which included in the blend, the last aged stocks from the Crown Royal Waterloo Distillery which burned down in 1993. This latest Crown Royal XR Whisky blend focuses its attention instead, on selected remaining whisky stocks from the renowned LaSalle Distillery in Quebec, Canada. The LaSalle Distillery is significant to Crown Royal, as it was the first distillery opened by the Bronfman Family (a legendary name within the spirits industry). The Bronfmans were responsible for the creation of the original Crown Royal Whisky in 1939 to commemorate King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada.’

I received my whisky sample several weeks ago and here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The whisky is a richly coloured amber, and that trademark punky caramel-corn Crown Royal nose rises from the glass immediately. The air is rich with vanilla and honeycomb, and displays a strong rich oak taint….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Crown Royal XR (LaSalle) Canadian Whisky

Please enjoy my review!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Crown Royal XR (LaSalle) Canadian Whisky

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »