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Archive for the ‘Single Malt Whisky’ Category

#Top100CanadianWhisky – #91 Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 25, 2017

The 10th spirit revealed in my Rum Howler 2017 Top 100 Canadian Whiskies Countdown is Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt Whisky which is distilled in small batches on Vancouver Island (British Columbia).

To make their single malt whisky, Shelter Point uses a single grain approach, and the Canadian barley used for distillation is grown right on their own family farm (in Oyster River) and never blended with other grains. The water source is the spring water that comes from the mountain-fed aquifer directly beneath the Island.

Perhaps the only things that aren’t sourced locally are the oak barrels, which were sourced from Kentucky bourbon distillers, and the massive copper pot stills which came from Scotland.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt Whisky

“… The nose contains a light punky corn scent which indicates fresh bourbon barrels used to age the spirit. Alongside the corn I notice maple and wood spice, some musty burlap, almond and a few tinges of sour fruit. There is an herbal tinge in the air which hints at anise and licorice as well as a few hints of mint and menthol …”

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Note: As indicated earlier, I will not be creating a posting for every whisky in my countdown on this website; but I am going to try to highlight every Canadian spirit that I have not reviewed previously.

To follow the countdown list on a daily basis, you should follow me on twitter (Rum Howler on Twitter) using the hashtag #Top100CanadianWhisky. Alternatively you can view the  list as it grows by viewing my Reveal Page:

The Rum Howler – Top 100 Canadian Whiskies of 2017

The Reveal Page will be updated at least weekly through September, October and November and then daily in December.

Posted in Awards, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on #Top100CanadianWhisky – #91 Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt Whisky

Review: Pemberton Valley Organic Single Malt Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 29, 2017

The Pemberton Distillery is located in the heart of the Coast Mountains, an area known for its massive ice caps and pure glacial streams. The Master Distiller, Tyler Schramm, studied a Masters of Science in Brewing & Distilling at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. The distillery first broke onto the scene in August of 2009 with their Schramm Organic Vodka (reviewed here), an authentic sipping vodka produced  from whole organic potatoes (grown just 15 km from the distillery in the Pemberton Valley). This special Vodka is produced using an all natural fermentation process that does not use of chemicals, synthetic anti-foaming agents, or additives. In fact, the distillery boasts that they follow the same traditional methods used by single malt scotch distilleries. They distill in small batches using a hand-operated copper pot still, and the entire distillation is performed by Tyler Schramm, who is continuously testing and sampling the distillate for quality.

All that care and attention which the distillery displayed in producing their organic vodka has also been turned towards their production of Single Malt Whisky. According to the Pemberton Distillery website the spirit is:

” A true West Coast style single malt Whisky. Pot distilled in small batches from organic BC malted barley …”

I was sent a bottle from Cask No. 4 which was distilled in September of 2012, and bottled in April of 2017. The Whisky was matured in an ex bourbon cask and bottled at 44 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Pemberton Valley Organic Single Malt Whisky

“… My first impression was of warm buttermilk porridge with firm nutty smells of barley wafting upwards. There is a leather-like impression which reminds me of burlap, and hints of sweetness which seem like graham wafers dipped in cane syrup …”

Please enjoy my review of this outstanding Single Malt Whisky which includes a my recipe recommendation, Provenance.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Pemberton Valley Organic Single Malt Whisky

Beyond Islay: Part 7 – Ledaig 18 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 12, 2017

ledaig-18yoIt is back to the Isle of Mull for the finale of my Beyond Islay Single Malt Whisky review series. The series of reviews has been based upon 7 different Single Malt Whiskies I taste at the Beyond Islay tasting event hosted by Ryan Engen who is the Director of Spirits, for Liquor Stores N.A. Inc. at the Edmonton Wine and Beyond McTagggert Ridge location. At the tasting,Ryan had selected Single Malt Whiskies which represented the diversity of Scotland’s Island Whiskies produced on the lesser known Scottish Islands.

As indicated, Ledaig is produced at the Tobermory Distillery upon the Isle of Mull. The peated spirit was matured for 18 years in oak casks and then finished in ex-Sherry casks.

Here is a link to my review:

Beyond Islay: Part 7 – Ledaig 18 Year Old:

“… The breezes above the glass carried a complex aroma with peat smoke entwined with sherry-like scents of cherry licorice and raisins. Baking spices came forward with rum-like dark brown sugar mixed with vanilla and bits of cinnamon and clove. The peaty scents were somewhat pungent as organic boggy smells mixed with oily phenols, licorice root and menthol …”

Please enjoy my review which ends with a short cocktail, What Rough Beast.

Chimo!

 

 

 

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Islay: Part 7 – Ledaig 18 Year Old

Beyond Islay: Part 6 – Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015 Bottling)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 5, 2017

2015-de-talisker-bot-70cl-300dpi-a4This is the sixth Single Malt Whisky which I tasted at the Beyond Islay tasting event hosted by Ryan Engen who is the Director of Spirits, for Liquor Stores N.A. Inc. at the Edmonton Wine and Beyond McTagggert Ridge location. At the tasting I enjoyed 7 different Single Malts in what was termed the Beyond Islay Single Malt Whisky Tasting. The Whiskies at the tasting were selected to represent the diversity of Scotland’s Island Whiskies reaching beyond the popular Islay Whiskies to the malts produced on the lesser known Islands. Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015) continues our exploration as we visit the Isle of Skye in which is the largest and the northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015) is produced from peated malted barley. The spirit was distilled in 2005 and prior to bottling was finished in Amoroso Sherry casks before being bottled at 45.8 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015)

“… As the glass breathes I notice some nice butterscotch and caramel notes which seem to be lightly accented with smokey tones of dry fruit (dates and raisins). There are also sweet malty notes, and the peat has both a light briny quality and a mild herbal quality that reminds me of menthol and heather …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my serving suggestion, the Rob Roy Cocktail.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Islay: Part 6 – Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015 Bottling)

Beyond Islay: Part 5 – Jura Superstion

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 26, 2017

jura-superThis is the fifth Single Malt Whisky (in my seven part series) which I tasted at the Beyond Islay tasting event hosted by Ryan Engen who is the Director of Spirits, for Liquor Stores N.A. Inc. at the Edmonton Wine and Beyond McTagggert Ridge location. At the tasting I enjoyed 7 different Single Malts in what was termed the Beyond Islay Single Malt Whisky Tasting. The Whiskies at the tasting were selected to represent the diversity of Scotland’s Island Whiskies reaching beyond the popular Islay Whiskies to the malts produced on the lesser known Islands. Jura Superstition continues our exploration as we visit the Isle of Jura which is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, situated just a little north-east of Islay.

Jura Superstition is said to be  a union of two whisky styles, a bold peated whisky (about 13 % of the blend) and non-peated lighter more delicate whiskies. The spirit is meant to revel in the ancient superstitions which surround the Isle of Jura.

According to the Jura Single Malt Whisky website:

Jura is an island wrapped in Superstition with a litany of strange and bewildering customs. It is believed that pouring from this bottle with the Ankh cross in the centre of your palm is a ritual that will bring good health and good fortune.

The spirit has no age statement, but is priced similarly to the Isle of Jura 10 and 12 Year Old Whiskies which perhaps give us a hint at the age of the whiskies in the blend.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Jura Superstition Single Malt Whisky

“… If I closed my eyes and held the glencairn under my nose I could imagine I was in an evergreen forest with damp moss covering the ground. A boggy meadow must be nearby as I smell damp peat under the meadow grass, with lush ferns and willow bushes clinging to its edges. Sawgrass and timothy hay are growing in the meadow with summer flowers just beginning to bloom …”

Please enjoy my review which contains a cocktail suggestion for lightly peated whiskies, Blood and Sand.

Chimo!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Islay: Part 5 – Jura Superstion