Archive for the ‘Whisk(e)y’ Category
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 8, 2009
Glenrothes Select Reserve:
Scottish Legend has it that the Glenrothes distillery produced its first drops of Scottish spirits on December 28 1879, coincidentally the same day the rail bridge over the River Tay collapsed in one of the World’s most spectacular rail disasters.
Glenrothes is a typically good Speyside Whisky, with spice and character at the forefront of its flavour profile. The Glenrothes whisky is used as a base whisky in the Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse Blends. Indeed if you are a blended Scotch drinker and feel the inclination to move to the Single Malts, you will find the Glenrothes Blends to be excellent introductory malts in which to begin the Journey.
The Select Reserve was blended by Malt Master “John Ramsey” to serve as a signature malt to represent the character of the Glenrothes Distillery. In order to capture the essence of Glenrothes the Malt Master used whiskies from a variety of vintages, and from a variety of aged oak barrels. Thus a spectrum of flavours from the variety of ages and oak is apparent in the final single malt blend.
Here is my review of this splendid Speyside Malt:
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Glenrothes Whisky, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Glenrothes Select Reserve
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 3, 2009
Schenley OFC Canadian Whisky
(The OFC stands for Original Fine Canadian)
Schenley OFC bills itself as the most decorated of Canadian Whisky boasting of 25 medal Selections at the Monde Selection Awards. These awards, while impressive, only tell the story of previous Schenley bottlings. I say, ‘previous’, because I notice a difference in the new bottles I have seen as opposed to the older Schenley OFC bottles. The age statement, in the past, proudly stated ‘8 Years’. That age statement is now entirely missing. It remains to be seen whether some of the famous Schenley quality is missing as well.
I should note that Schenley OFC is distilled at Schenley Distilleries which have facilities in Valleyview Quebec, and Lethbridge Alberta. It is my understanding that the facilities in Quebec are responsible for the distillation, aging and bottling of this whisky.
You can read the full review here:
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Cocktails and Recipes, Schenley Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | 3 Comments »
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 24, 2009
Several weeks ago I met James Robertson, The International Sales Rep for Tullibardine. It was at the Edmonton Food and Wine Festival, and I mentioned to him that I would soon be reviewing the 1988 Tullibardine. He was pleased and gave me a small sip at the show of this and a few other of Tullibardine’s fine whiskies. We have exchanged emails since then, and hopefully established the beginnings of a working relationship. The 1988 Tullibardine commemorates the 500th anniversary of King James IV’s coronation where legend has it he purchased ale from Scotland’s first brewery. What does this have to do with Tullibardine? Well the brewery from which King James IV purchased the ale happens to be on the very site where Tullibardine now stands.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…The smoke I noted in the glass has asserted itself in the mouth with a persistent oily cigar smoke presence which underlies the honey and vanilla notes on the palate. I use the term cigar because the smoke seems to have a certain organic texture. The sweetness of the malt is very pleasant, as is a mild buttery feel the malt has upon the tongue….”
You can read the full review here:
Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Tullibardine Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whiskey Review: Tullibardine 1988 Vintage Edition
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 15, 2009
Gibson’s Finest Whiskies are some of the smoothest Canadian whiskies ever made. This, of course, makes them some of the smoothest in the world as Canada is renowned for its smooth whisky. The 12 year old is a step up from Gibson’s regular Sterling brand. I found it to be a mildly sweet well balanced whisky with a nice honey and rye flavour profile.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…We have a very nice soft oil on the palate with a sweet honey taste interlaced with toffee and rye. This has a very balanced profile which when given time in the mouth, displays touches of caramel, flashes of hot spices, and a wonderful underlying sweetness….”
You can read the full review here:
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Cocktails and Recipes, Gibson's Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Gibson’s Finest 12 Yr Old Canadian Whisky
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 8, 2009
Forty Creek Whiskies are the brainchildren of Master Distiller John Hall. John Hall bought the Kittling Ridge Estates Winery in 19992. Although primarily a winemaker, when John discovered a small pot copper still on the estate he couldn’t resist the urge to experiment with another product he loved… whisky. The wine making heritage combined with the love of whisky has produced what I consider to be a unique Canadian Whisky. Each batch of whisky is produced upon this small pot copper still, but what makes Forty Creek Whiskies special is that John doesn’t use a single mash for his whisky like other producers. He makes three separate batches. A corn mash produces a corn whisky, a barley mash produces a barley whiskey, and a rye mash produces a rye whisky. Each whisky is aged separately in a variety of oak barrels, and then blended and finished in sherry casks. The sherry is actually made right at the winery so Forty Creek can utilize their own sherry casks for the final finishing.
For More information on Forty Creek Whiskies and other products from Kittling Ridge estates please use this Link:
Kittling Ridge Estates
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Forty Creek Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Forty Creek Barrel Select
Glenrothes Select Reserve:
The Rum Howler Blog 