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Archive for the ‘Whisk(e)y’ Category

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FORTY CREEK PORT WOOD RESERVE – RESERVATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 17, 2012

It was announced on the Forty Creek Website about two weeks ago that the second edition of the FORTY CREEK PORT WOOD RESERVE will be released for sale in September, 2012. This whisky marks the sixth special release for the distillery, and there will be only 6,600 bottles of Port Wood available. (The first release sold out before any bottles left Ontario.) However you can reserve your own numbered bottle if you act before June 7th, as once again Forty Creek is offering Canadian Whisky connoisseurs the opportunity to reserve their own bottle number of Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve. Customers can reserve any number between 0003 and 6,600 (I have already reserved bottle numbers 128, 129 and 130).

The reservation opportunity for numbered bottles began on May 7, and will continue only until 5:00 p.m. on June 7, 2012. As always, the reserved bottles must be purchased and picked up at the Forty Creek Distillery in Grimsby, Ontario, on the scheduled release day for the whisky in September. The distillery is unable (due to provincial and federal regulations) to ship the reserved bottles in the mail or across provincial borders.

Bottles numbers are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Port Wood Reserve will retail for $69.95.

For more information about Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve and how to reserve your personally numbered bottles click here.

You may read my review of the original (first) edition of Portwood Reserve here (to date I believe this is John Hall’s finest Whisky):

My reviews for other Forty Creek Special Releases may be read here:

Cheers everyone!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

Introducing: Crown Royal Limited XR LaSalle Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 16, 2012

Crown Royal has just unveiled their new Crown Royal XR® LaSalle Whisky. The previous edition of Crown Royal XR®, (click here for my review) was s 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® blend includes select remaining whisky stocks from the renowned LaSalle Distillery in Quebec, Canada. Apparently the Crown Royal XR® will be an on-going series, with each Crown Royal XR blend created with the inclusion rare batch whisky stocks and distributed for a limited time only.

This present edition, Crown Royal XR® LaSalle, was ‘handcrafted” by Crown Royal Master Blender, Andrew MacKay. Mr. MacKay actually began his apprenticeship with Crown Royal at the LaSalle Distillery. The creation of this new XR whiskey was therefore a uniquely personal experience for the Master Blender who stated:

“LaSalle holds a historic place in the whisky world and is incredibly special to me, because it’s where I first learned about creating memorable blends. To be able to incorporate these Extra Rare LaSalle whiskies into the new Crown Royal XR is an honor, and I hope loyal adult Crown Royal drinkers enjoy it responsibly – whether toasting to a monumental anniversary or simply gathering with friends and family on the weekend.”

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.

The new Crown Royal XR Limited LaSalle’s packaging continues the original presentation theme established with the first installment in this ‘Extra Rare’ Whisky Series. The uniquely shaped bottle which resembles a crown, the deluxe glass stopper, and the iconic velvet bag will remain the same in shape and design; but, the new display box and velvet bag now reflect a royal blue color to echo the regal history of the product.

Crown Royal XR will be available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle (bottled at 40 % abv.) beginning in early June. As was the case with the inaugural installment in the ‘Extra Rare’ series, the new Crown Royal XR will be available for a limited time only.

Although I have not yet tasted the new Crown Royal Limited XR LaSalle Whiskey, I shall be sure to provide a comprehensive review as soon as I do.

Here are some links to my previous Crown Royal Whisky Reviews:

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

Book Review: Canadian Whisky: the portable expert

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 15, 2012

I love Canadian Whisky! It is smooth and tasty, and (in my locale at least) extremely well priced compared to the other whisky offerings on the store shelf. This means that even the premium brands sell at prices which allows me to mix them in cocktails without guilt, and some of the super premium brands are cheaper than the average price of a single malt scotch (Last month I purchased 3 bottles of a 25-year-old pure rye whisky for less than 90 bucks combined!)

So when I found out that my whisky reviewing friend, Davin de Kergommeaux, had written a book devoted to Canadian Whisky; I was very eager to give it a good read. Davin, like myself is a true devotee of our great Canadian Spirit. He has created his own website (Canadian Whisky) where he publishes various articles about our mutual passion and of course his unrivaled reviews. He has also been instrumental in launching the first ever fully independent Canadian Whisky Awards! These awards have highlighted not only the best tasting whiskies made in Canada, but they also awarded special achievements by Canadian Whisky Distillers in areas of innovation, brand extension, and media/advertising.

I received my copy of Canadian Whisky: the portable expert about three weeks ago, and I thought I would share my thoughts on Davin’s scribblings here on my website.

Here is a link to those thoughts:

Book Review: Canadian Whisky: the portable expert

Note: The book should already be in your local bookstore as it was released on May 8. I believe it is available through Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, McNallyRobinson, and several other on-line booksellers.

Posted in Books, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Howls, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Book Review: Canadian Whisky: the portable expert

Review: Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 13, 2012

The Glenfarclas Distillery is located on the Recherlich Farm at Ballindalloch in the heart of Speyside. The Distillery was purchased by the Grant Family in 1865 for a total sum of £511.19sd. It has remained in the control of the Grant Family for six generations up to the present day. In fact, Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries remaining in Scotland which is independently family owned and managed.

This review continues my series of examinations of the Glenfarclas Single Malt line-up. I have previously reviewed the Glenfarclas 12 Year, the Glenfarclas 21 Year, the Glenfarclas 30 Year and the Glenfarclas Cask Strength 105. These reviews have been facilitated by Pacific Wine & Spirits Inc who have provided samples for me to assess, and who kindly invited me to a tasting event hosted by George Grant, the Sales Director for the Glenfarclas Distillery where I was able to sample the entire core range of Glenfarclas Whisky. Mr. Grant is part of the 6th generation of the Grant Family who originally purchased the distillery in 1865.

Here is an excerpt from my review”

“…The initial aroma from the glass reveals the scent of old oak tainted by the dry fruity smells of the sherry cask. I like how the two distinct aromas have blended together such that it is hard for me to decide where the oak ends and the fruity sherry begins. There is also a nice herbal quality that reminds me of woodland meadow full of heather and willow thicket…”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky

Please Enjoy the Review!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky

Review: Centennial 10 year Old Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 8, 2012

Centennial is a 10 Year Old Whisky produced by Alberta’s own Highwood Distillers. Rather than using corn to as the base grain for this whisky, Highwood uses soft Canadian winter wheat. This gives the Centennial a smooth and soft flavour profile unlike any other Canadian whisky I have encountered. In fact, using grains grown exclusively on the Canadian prairies, distilling the grain in their home Province of Alberta, and aging the spirit in the severe Western Canadian climate for a minimum of ten years, makes  Centennial is a Whisky unlike any other in the world.

Here is an excerpt from my review (originally posted on December 8, 2009) :

“… A clean crisp rye which fairly oozes honey and spice.  This is polished and subdued, with the hard rye buffed and smoothed.  The spices are light and enjoyable, and I find the balance to be superb.  A purist of Canadian rye may complain that the rye sits too far backward in the taste profile, but I disagree… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: Centennial 10 year Old Canadian Rye Whisky

As well I have provided a nice recipe for Canadian Rye Whisky, The Canadian Whisky Splash!

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Centennial 10 year Old Canadian Whisky

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