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 1,090 other subscribers

  • Subscribe

  • Visitors

    • 15,491,790 pageviews since inception

  • Archives

  • Follow The Rum Howler Blog on WordPress.com

Archive for the ‘Whisk(e)y’ Category

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Review: Forty Creek Resolve (2020 Limited Release)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 5, 2020

Forty Creek Whisky has an annual tradition of producing a special limited release whisky which is built upon the foundation of the company’s flagship whisky, Forty Creek Barrel Select. These annual special releases each seek to bring new character to the Forty Creek family.

The 2020 Limited Release, Forty Creek Solve is a tribute to Master Blender Bill Ashburn and his dedication (and resolve) to create some of the most awarded Canadian whiskies over the past 20 years. He constructed this complex whisky with an elevated spice profile rounded out with a drop of vintage Villard Noir Port.

Here is a link to my review for the latest Forty Creek Whisky annual Limited Edition Release:

Review: Forty Creek Resolve (2020 Limited Release)

“… Brown sugar combined with both oak spice and baking spices (Vanilla, cinnamon and cloves with a nice hit of ginger). Walnuts with raisins and dates lurking as well. Graham wafers, marzipan and marmalade make an appearance as the whisky breathes. This is complex and inviting …”

Please enjoy the review which includes my serving suggestion, the Old Fashioned Cocktail.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Forty Creek Resolve (2020 Limited Release)

Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Rye Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 9, 2020

The Last Mountain Distillery is Saskatchewan’s original micro distillery. It is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Colin and Meredith Schmidt. Colin Schmidt took a rather round about road into the distilling business as his original dream was to play pro hockey. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 1992 and signed his first pro contract in 1996. Unfortunately Colin’s pro hockey experience was brief, cut off by a few shoulder injuries after a brief stint with the big club playing what Colin referred to as “left bench”.

According to the Last Mountain Distillery website their Single Cask Rye is made with locally sourced Rye grain (not malted). The Rye is matured a short time in  new 10-gallon barrels (presumably to oak the spirit more quickly) and then it is placed in used bourbon barrels for 3 – 4 years. Single Barrels are selected for bottling without being chill filtered.

Here is a link to my Full Review:

Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Rye Whisky

“... Although the spirit is heated, the bitterness of the rye grain combined with the spicy oak and citrus zest puckers the palate which actually makes me receptive to another sip. There is a mild sweetness of butterscotch and vanilla which counter-balances the spice … “

Please enjoy my review as I look forward to becoming more active on the website again.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Rye Whisky

Review: Great Plains Brandy Cask 18 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 4, 2020

Great Plains Craft Spirits are located in Calgary, Alberta. They are a small company which sources special whiskies for blending and finishing. The intent is to offer to the marketplace limited edition bottlings which feature custom blending and cask finishes. These whiskies can be quite rare with batches as small as two barrels as well as larger projects (up to this point) of up to twenty-four barrels.

I was recently sent a bottle of the Great Plains Craft Spirits Brandy Cask 18 Year Old Canadian Whisky to review. I had previously encountered the spirit when I judged it in a blind format for the 2020 Canadian Whisky Awards (CWA). I remember going back to this particular whisky sample after the reveal as it had made quite an impression on myself during the judging process. In fact, it made an impression on all of the judges, and was one of the award winners being named as the CWA Best New Whisky of 2020.

Here is a link to my latest review of what I have found to be an outstanding Canadian Whisky:

Review: Great Plains Brandy Cask 18 Year Old

“… The cask strength nature of the bottling is immediately apparent as the nose is full of heated fire, fine oak spices, and wonderful aromas of corn and grain. A mouth-watering combination of vanilla, butterscotch, orange peel and almond climbs into the air alongside. The impulse to steal a sip before more completely examining the nose is strong …”

Please enjoy my review, Chimo!

 

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Great Plains Brandy Cask 18 Year Old

Review: Canadian Club Apple Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 12, 2020

Canadian Club has once again expanded their flavoured and Spiced whisky line-up as they recently introduced Canadian Club Apple Whisky. The new flavoured whisky is apparently produced by blending Canada Club’s flagship brand, 1858 Canadian Club Canadian Whisky with a hand-crafted apple liquor. According to the advertising:

Fresh, crisp apple aromas meet flavours of cinnamon and hints of caramel on the palate then roll to a smooth, sweet finish. Serve neat or on the rocks with Dutch apple pie.

Canadian Club Apple Whisky is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Canadian Club Apple Whisky

“… The initial nose is lightly sweet indicating some added sweetness (probably from the blended liqueur) and so it takes a little time before the apple scents can break free from the sweetness. Once they do though, it is a nice crisp green apple scent that greets the breezes above the glass …”

Please enjoy my review of this new flavoured whisky from Canadian Club.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Flavoured Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Canadian Club Apple Whisky

Review: Alberta Premium 20 Year Old Canadian Whisky 

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 4, 2020

Alberta Premium is a brand of Canadian Whisky made in Calgary, by Alberta Distillers Ltd. (owned by Beam-Suntory). The Whisky was released in the fall of 2019 along with a companion release Alberta Premium Cask Strength (reviewed here). Alberta Distillers own the oldest distillery in Western Canada. The distillery is famous for its rich 100 % rye grain whiskies which are bottled under the Alberta Premium label. They also sell bulk 100 % rye whisky to other brand owners.

As indicated Alberta Premium is famous for its 100% rye grain whisky, although it should be pointed out that the brand has also featured releases such as Dark Horse which were not made from 100% rye grain. In the case of the Alberta Premium 20 Year Old, the grain blend is not disclosed on the label. Rather than stating unequivocally that the whisky is a 100 % rye grain whisky, the label instead makes the statement that the whisky is Canadian Rye Whisky, and the display box the whisky arrives in states that it is 100 % Canadian Rye Whisky. I might be splitting hairs here, but terminology is important. All Canadian whisky which features a rye forward flavour profile can properly be called Canadian Rye Whisky whether or not rye grain is the dominant grain, and stating that a whisky is 100 % Canadian Rye Whisky is not the same thing as stating that the whisky is 100% Rye Grain Canadian Whisky.

Unless it is specifically indicated in an unequivocal manner, I think it is best to assume that Alberta Premium 20 Year Old is a blended grain whisky.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Alberta Premium 20 Year Old Canadian Whisky 

“… I began to notice the rye and fine oak spice building now accompanied by lots of dusty grain and straw. Sour fruit and canned apricots begin to unravel from the rye and I also notice a lightly floral or perhaps herbal flair with hints of mint, licorice, and citrus followed by punky caramel corn, leather and pungent baking spices …”

Please enjoy my review of this new whisky from Alberta Premium.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Alberta Premium 20 Year Old Canadian Whisky 

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »